Still debating whether or not to see Little Dog? Give it a shot...

[JACXR71]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 11:39pm

I know that most people on the boards have made their opinions on the show pretty clear at this point. I thought about just bumping the "Thoughts on Little Dog Laughed" post, but figured the show's closing on Sunday, what's one more post.

As the subject indicates, this is mostly directed at people still wondering if they should catch it before it closes. I'm not here to disagree with the folks who didn't like it, and I know there are plenty. But I had the chance to see it tonight, also for $3, and I most likely would not have gone had it not been for the hookup.

But I did go, and I'm extremely glad I did. Yes, a lot of the jokes are trite, but they get laughs for a reason - they're funny, and more importantly, well executed. The play is very well written and it really doesn't feel like these jokes are old or overdone, even if we've seen and heard this type of humor before.

Words cannot do justice to Julie White's performance, and to those who write her off as the typical agent/showbiz type we've seen before, I think her final scene with Alex puts her above and beyond any stereotype. Her performance is more than enough to say "see this show, if for no other reason than to see her," (although I think there are other reasons), and I would be very glad to see her take the Tony for this (though I must admit I know nothing of her competition).

I saw Brian Henderson, Galecki's understudy, and I have to say I thought he did a terrific job. I'd heard complaints about the chemistry between Scott and Galecki, but I definitely felt it with Henderson. Scott was fine if not forgettable, and the last-minute Ellen (who I guess was the original before Ari) was terrific IMO - whiny and bitchy, yet sensitive and evoking sympathy.

Overall, I thought the show did a fantastic job of coming across as light and only fluffily-satirical, while possessing the depth and biting satire that really only dawns on you toward the end and moreso even after it's over.

So, if anyone's thinking of catching it before Sunday, I would encourage them to. I respect the opinions of those who didn't enjoy it, but I'm certainly glad I caught it while I could.

Updated On: 2/15/07 at 11:39 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:32am

Fantastic review!

Yes, everyone, see this show before it closes! I'm glad to hear Brian Henderson was up to par.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:46am

Saw it again, tonight.

One of my favorite plays of all time.

Henderson was on again tonight and has a slightly different take on the role, but still handles it wonderfully.

I think I liked Zoe more than I liked Ari. Although Ari was still wonderful.

And, of course, Julie White is a goddess. It's a rare experience to watch that woman command the stage.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:49am

Wonderful play. I don't think I will get to see it again, but I will forever cherish the time I spend in that theatre with those people. I don't think it's necessarily one of the best things I have ever seen - it's certainly not - but it's absolutely, positively one of my favorite theatrical experiences.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 12:53am

Is Brian Henderson doing all of the performances this week, or is Johnny just sick? I'm so glad Zoe is still great; she was superb off-Broadway, and never should've been let go in the first place.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:27pm

Jacxr ... you said you paid $3 for LDL ... and enjoyed it. But how would have felt if you paid full price for it? Its quite easy to enjoy something when you only pay $3 (and overlook its many flaws), but try forking out $90 for the same show and see if you have the same positive reaction. That's one of the reasons why its closing ... its not a good enough play to warrant paying Broadway prices.

[MimiJudith]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:29pm

WestVillage, I agree with you. I paid nothing for this play and I still felt like I was robbed.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:37pm

I've never paid full-price for LDL, but I would in a heartbeat. To each their own.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:38pm

WV, I've seen it twice for free - actually, not free, but for the cost and ticket fees of a papering service, still, obviously not full price - and loved it so much (even more the second time, in fact) that I'm paying full price to see the final performance on Sunday evening.

Updated On: 2/15/07 at 01:38 PM

[WestVillage]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:45pm

LDL has been on every possible discount service since its Off-Broadway run, practically for every performance. Obviously very few people are paying full price. It has a hard time even giving tickets away. I don't know what made the producers think it would succeed on Broadway when it couldn't even sell out off-broadway.

MimiJudith ... you were robbed ... of your time.

[bythesword84]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:46pm

I agree about loving it even more the second time. I've seen it three times, and every time I enjoy it more than the time before.

[AC126748]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:48pm

I don't know what made the producers think it would succeed on Broadway when it couldn't even sell out off-broadway.

You obviously didn't try to get a ticket after the show opened off-Broadway. It was damn near impossible. After seeing it in previews, I tried to see it again late in the run. Tried the cancellation line four times. No dice.

[madbrian]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:55pm

Tough break for Julie White, turning in a performance like this, in a show that is closing before the Tonys, in a year when Angela Lansbury decides to come to Broadway in a play with Marian Seldes.

[WestVillage]

Posted: 2/15/07 at 1:56pm

Wrong ... I saw it after it opened off-Broadway, and saw it for free. And plenty of empty seats. I know plenty of people who got comps during its off-bway run.

[MissNY]

Posted: 2/16/07 at 10:41am

Anyone know if Galecki is back for the last few shows?