Wife and I saw this down at the Players Theatre on McDougal St on Thursday, Oct 20. Thought it was cute. Probably won't make it to Broadway, but the actors were great, especially the one who played the young new dog in the pound. Very energetic, and the only one that wasn't reading form the script. Play was about 5 dogs in a dog pound singing about why they were there, and dog life in general. Was an entertaining evening for a $15 ticket! Only had 4 performances in it's limited run, maybe it will come back!
I saw the production on Saturday afternoon. It was produced by Amas Musical Theatre -- the same group that will soon be having the Benefit Concert of Damn Yankees set in the historic Negro basball leagues staring Sara Ramirez, Darius deHaas etc.)
I was pleasantly very suprised. I think the material has TONS of potential (as it already has multiple great laughs and touching moments.) It is very cute, smart at times, and the score is actually pretty strong and hummable (somewhat Sondheim-ish at times). The show definately had a LOT going for it.
It ran for 4 performances as a workshop. The cast, I agree, was VERY strong. All five individuals in the show were very funny and played their breed of dog very well. The cast included Miguel Cervantes as Ozzie the new dog (Speakeasy's Bat Boy the Musical, Cam Jensen Off Broadway, and sang "Mine All Mine" from the London production of Bat Boy in the Standing Ovations 2 Concert (broadway world); Deven May as Digit known for his role as Bat Boy off Broadway and in London; Sarah Dacey Charles (Sophie) from Les Miserables, Sunset Boulevard, tale of Two Cities etc.; Kay Walbye as Millie from the original cast of Urinetown, Titanic, The Secret Garden etc.; and Ryan Hilliard as Howard.
The whole cast was very strong and played the material exceptionally well considering they were on book except for solo numbers. Lots of cute jokes, nice solos and group numbers with some pretty harmonies. Deven May as usual was a HUGE stand out playing the love seeking (for Sophie) dog as well as a touching and funny owner of Howard. His voice was top notch and powerful the whole show. Miguel Cervantes (Ozzie) was also very strong although almost overshadowed by May at times. Great ensemble.
The music direction by Andrew Gerle was really strong as well with a keyboard and percussion band - as was the music and book by Jess Platt and Mark Masi respectively.
To top it off the smaller Players Theatre on MacDougal street on the Saturday afternoon performance had a very impressed Hugh Jackman in the audience who seemed to enjoy the show and talked with the cast and small audience out front after the show.
Tons of potential here and with some work perhaps an Off-Broadway run?
Ohh definately. It will play better in smaller more intimate theaters. The show plays well to a wide range of audiences which be another key to its success.
