SCP presents “The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?”

Seneca Community Players launches its 37th season with the local premiere of Edward Albee’s Tony Award-winning, “The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?,” an adventurous drama about the unraveling of the perfect family when the father engages in an elicit affair of an unspeakable nature. This powerful, comic and unsettling play will be staged February 27 and 28, and March 6 and 7 at 8 p.m., and March 1 at 2:00 in the Delavan Theatre on the New York Chiropractic College campus, Route 89. Directed by Becky Bly, the show is produced locally by Donna Russell.Edward Albee has been an icon of the American stage since his play, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?,” opened on Broadway in 1963. With a style that embraces existentialism, absurdism, as well as the metaphysical, Albee has enjoyed a successful career, highlighted by winning an astounding three Pulitzer Prizes and countless other awards. Known for writing plays that challenge, and even puzzle audiences, Albee’s other plays include “A Delicate Balance,” “Seascape” and “Three Tall Women.” Without a doubt, Albee has one of the most distinctive voices in theatre.Provocative as ever, Albee’s latest, “The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia?” is a daring and controversial play that has entertained and stunned audiences and critics, alike. The winner of the 2002 Tony Award for Best Play, “The Goat” was also voted Best Play of 2002 by the New York Drama Critics Circle, received a New York Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play, and was a finalist for the 2003 Pulitzer Prize in Drama. Albee described “The Goat” this way: “Every civilization sets quite arbitrary limits to its tolerances. The play is about a family that is deeply rocked by an unimaginable event and they solve that problem. It is my hope that people will think afresh about whether or not all the values they hold are valid.”At the center of “The Goat” is Martin (Ed Scutt), a renowned architect and family man. He is also a man on the edge. In the same week he turned fifty, earned a prestigious award and received a lucrative commission, Martin is consumed by a forbidden passion. At a time he should be celebrating his life, Martin is distracted and forgetful because of the secret he is carrying and unburdens himself on his oldest friend, Ross (Paul Wenderlich). Overwhelmed by the revelation, Martin’s secret is revealed. As the truth is told and Martin’s wife Stevie (Pam Bryan) and son Billy (Jason Parker) find out, his life disintegrates in a disastrous and eye-opening way. “The Goat” is not so much a play about one man’s mid-life crisis, but about how the decisions people make affects the lives of everyone around them.The show’s stage manager is KC Mooneyhan. Dan Godwin is lighting designer and Ralph Sinicropi is sound designer. The set design is by Bly and Lynn Patti who is also the scenic charge artist, while the set construction was completed by Bly and Jill Byington. Dan Papperman is the light tech, costumes are by Carol Millis, and publicity and poster design are by Kevin Schoonover. Rachel Weil & Mary Schoonover are the academic liaisons, and the photography is courtesy of Linda Solan.A moderated talk-back follows each performance. Audiences are invited to stay after and learn about the creative process that brought this unique piece of theatre to fruition and to ask questions of the cast and crew about the show.Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, and $8 for students. They are available at WomanMade Products in Seneca Falls, Area Records & Music in Geneva, by calling 315-568-9364, and online at www.SenecaCommunityPlayers.org. “The Goat” contains adult themes, sexual situations and strong language. It may not be suitable for all audiences.Seneca Community Players’ mission is to foster, arouse and help broaden the interest, availability and appreciation of the theatre arts in Seneca and surrounding counties. Since 1972, SCP has established itself as the only year-round Seneca County group that continually offers and produces quality theatrical productions highlighted by an annual summer musical. These productions provide the opportunity for community members to engage in the creative process on-stage, back stage and the design process.