Arts and Entertainment Source: Vallejo director’s love of dogs center stage

For years, Carlene Coury of Vallejo has directed plays across the Bay Area. When she’s not in the theater, she’s often volunteering with the Humane Society of the North Bay and its Cuddle Club, which brings dogs to visit nursing home residents.

Now her love of dogs is merging with her passion for theater in “Sylvia,” which opens at Pinole Community Players on June 6.

“Sylvia” tells the story of two empty-nesters, Greg and Kate, who stumble upon Sylvia, an excited lab/poodle mix. Chaos and drama ensue as Sylvia becomes a part of the family.

Every year at Pinole Community Players, they have a call for directors and hear what each person is hoping to direct, says Coury. “Sylvia” was one play that she brought to the table and the playhouse was on board.

She’s been invested in the process of “Sylvia” from the beginning because she was able to present her own plays and appreciates that the theater gets input from its directors. “I think that’s really good because your heart is in it more,” said Coury.

And her heart is definitely in telling the story of a lost dog. With Cuddle Club, Coury gets to see the impact dogs can have on those that need that love and affection most.

To her, both the play and her volunteer work can be cathartic for people who love dogs or have lost their own family dog, said Coury. “It just touches all the feels. There’s a range of emotions in this play and if you’ve loved a dog, or really any animal, you can really relate.”

The main couple’s marital spats, lack of career motivation and experience as first-time empty-nesters is definitely relatable to many people and, although the show is a comedy, it can tug at the heartstrings. “There are a lot of layers to this show,” says Coury.

In order to appeal to the audience in a variety of ways, the role of Sylvia the dog had to be cast perfectly. In the end, Coury saw so many good auditions she couldn’t pick just one Sylvia, so she decided to cast two.

The actresses cast to play Sylvia, Rosie Chu and Natalie Buck-Bauer, have a unique challenge ahead of them: playing a believable talking dog. Coury says they both showed they have what it takes in the audition.

“I just couldn’t even make up my mind, that’s how good they were,” said Coury. “They each bring a different energy and chemistry with them.”

Chu and Buck-Bauer will alternate performances, keeping the other actors on their toes in a fun and exciting way, Coury says. One is more acrobatic, while the other is more comedic, both attributes that work well in the role.

With just a few days till opening night, tech week in full swing, Coury is ready to experience the show in its entirety. “I’m looking forward to taking a big deep breath and saying, ‘we did it, we’re here, we made it,”’ she laughs.

“You can’t do it on your own. I have a lot of people to thank for this and just making it enjoyable,” says Coury.

Her own dog voiced their support for Coury through barks during our interview. Just because real dogs can’t talk like “Sylvia,” doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot to say and a lot of support to give to the important humans in their lives.