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Overview
Synopsis
The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? centers around Martin, a middle-aged architect at the peak of his fame, whose life is thrown into complete turmoil when he reveals to his best friend that he has fallen in love, spiritually and physically, with a goat named Sylvia. The shocking revelation leaves the Gray’s perfect family life in tatters, as his wife, Stevie, and son, Billy, struggle to understand his secret and come to terms with Martin’s actions. Can there be any return from this improbable, bestial love affair? With linguistic precision and dark comic timing, Edward Albee takes an unflinching look at the limits liberal society can be pushed to, and forces the audience to question their own beliefs and examine matters traditionally considered socially taboo.
Show Information
- Book
- Edward Albee
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 2002
- Genres
- Drama, Dark Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- A suburban living room, America, Present Day
- Cast Size
- small
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Late Teen Characters
Context
The Goat or, Who is Sylvia premiered on Broadway in the John Golden Theatre in 2002. Starring Bill Pullman as Martin and Mercedes Ruehl as Stevie, the play met considerable controversy due to its taboo subject matter. However, it went on to win the 2002 Tony Award for Best Play and ran for 309 performances, with Bill Irwin and Sally Field taking over in the lead roles. The play was also a finalist for the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The Goat or, Who is Sylvia premiered in London’s
to read the context for The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Husband and wife, Martin and Stevie, are preparing for the arrival of Ross, their old friend and television host. Martin is a hugely successful architect and he is due to be interviewed by Ross in honor of his fiftieth birthday and being awarded the prestigious Pritzker Prize. However, Martin is distracted and keeps forgetting simple things. Stevie gently teases Martin that he must be seeing another woman, after he finds a business card in his jacket. Their banter takes on an
to read the plot for The Goat or, Who is Sylvia? and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Lead |
Female |
Spoken |
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|
Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
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Lead |
Male |
Spoken |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher