What better place for a stray dog like Sylvia than an alley? And what better place for A.R. Gurney's hit Off-Broadway comedy, Sylvia to elicit howls of laughter, than Houston's Alley Theatre, where the show opens Nov. 6.

Melissa Bowen will play Sylvia, the "beautiful, frisky young blonde" who picks up Greg (Edmond Genest) in the park. Sylvia, of course, is a dog -- a pet who ends up coming between Greg and his wife, Kate (Annalee Jefferies). Rounding out the cast is Stewart Clarke, who plays an array of roles, from a philosophical dog lover to Kate's fellow Vassarite.

In 1994, A.R. Gurney received a Lucille Lortel Award for his body of work, including such comedies as Love Letters, The Cocktail Hour and The Middle Ages.

Joe Brancato, making his Alley debut, directs the show. Previously he's staged productions at Capital Rep, Seattle Rep, NY's Naked Angels and Circle Rep, and the Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Winner of a 1996 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, the Alley is currently celebrating its 50th Anniversary Season. Other shows planned include Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 and The Greeks - An Epic In Two Parts. Love! Valour! Compassion and Picasso At The Lapin Agile will also make their way to the Alley stage. Inherit The Wind is currently playing on the Large Stage through Nov. 16. One of the most popular shows on the regional theatre circuit, Sylvia runs on the Neuhaus Arena Stage on Texas Avenue through Nov. 24. For more information, please refer to the Alley Theatre Regional Listing.

-- By David Lefkowitz