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Production photos by Jeremey Daniel
Dog Man: The Musical
Book and Lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila
Music by Brad Alexander
Adapted from the Original Book Series by Dav Pilkey
Directed and Choreographed by Jen Wineman
Produced by Theatre Works USA
Reviewed by: Natalie Shaw
From the time my son discovered reading, he's been in love with Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants series and Dog Man series, and he especially enjoyed this musical! These stories are built around two creative kids, George and Harold, (played with childish joy by Joe Balanza and Max Torrez) who love to imagine, love to write their own stories and REALLY love silliness! What they design is a fun-loving, whimsical comedy that every kid is sure to relate to and enjoy!
Dog Man, the character, is half dog, half man. When a police officer and his trained K-9 are sent to deactivate a bomb, the police officer clips the wrong wire and a comical "boom!" takes place. When doctors try to save them both, they are unsuccessful, but hatch a clever plan to sew them together-- taking the dog's head and the policeman's body to make one full being: Dog Man, played by Brian Owen with much animated delight!
In this musical comedy, the evil Petey (played with sinister comedy by Brian Daniel Porter,) a cat, who is determined to defeat his four-legged arch-nemesis, begins to plan Dog Man's demise, in part by training his own clone to act as his ultimate side-kick. But, when Petey finds that he loves his clone, Lil Petey (played by L.R. Davidson with great energy and bouncy youth,) he begins to have a change of heart toward all things evil and unruly. Will love win him over?
Let's not forget Villain #2 in this ridiculous story: Flippy, played with spirit by Crystal Sha'nae, whom Dog Man is responsible for creating in the first place, after our dog-brained hero rolled over her in a fit of back scratching. Flippy the fish, being treated for her injuries by our heroic doctor-team (the same ones who turned Dog Man into who he is today,) became bionic! And, during another one of Dog Man's dog-brained moments, was accidentally given superpowers! Again, our clever Lil Petey just might have the antidote for our new villainous creature, also involving love and acceptance.
The talented ensemble cast plays rotating roles to keep this lively story moving, oftentimes entering and exiting with colorful props and costumes that resemble something our own elementary students would create for their imaginative play! The setting is thoughtfully created to include George and Harold's treehouse, as well as their comic book creation come to life!
Dog Man: The Musical is a terrific pre-Valentine's Day show that teaches the littlest loves-of-our-lives that, in the end, love wins and justice will prevail! Theatre Works USA will be in Dallas at the AT&T Performing Arts Center at the Wyly Theatre until January 28. Tickets can be purchased twusa.org/dog-man-23-24. A perfect Valentine's Day gift for your young Valentine can be purchased at the merchandise booth before and after the show or during intermission. Concession stand items, including adult beverages can be purchased at intermission and are welcomed in the theater space during the production. Be prepared to pay a $10 parking fee and allow extra time for parking and traffic congestion, I suggest an extra 30 minutes, maybe 45 minutes extra time for little ones to use the restroom before the show starts.
Audience Rating: G
Running Time: 1.5 hours with a 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Volume Level: Loud at times for little ears. I suggest having cotton balls ready to go as ear plugs for those who may need it.
Noises or Visuals to Prepare For: use of smoke and loud boom sound for stage "bombs" that explode. Disco ball lighting effect is used.
Y'all Enjoy!
Natalie Shaw
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