re: LaCageFans: THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED Review

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 11/8/06 at 12:16pm

THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED Review

https://nycriticscorner.broadwayworld.com/thelittledoglaughed.htm

There are so many reasons not to see "The Little Dog Laughed," which is now in previews at Broadway's Cort Theatre, that this review could go on for days; luckily it won't! The cast is hit or miss throughout, the direction questionable; and the design while retro, also seems flimsy. The very essence of non-effective theatre seems to have transferred to a Broadway stage, and one must wonder why!

Douglas Carter Beane has written a play, that falls pretty short of comedic masterpiece status, about two neurotic wanabee homosexuals, one being a movie star (Tom Everett Scott) the other a hustler (Johnny Galecki); the movie star's Hollywood agent (Julie White), and the hustler's supposed girlfriend (Ari Graynor). The entire script has a familiarity to it, as if audiences have seen it played out before. And while Second Stage subscribers saw the play Off-Broadway a few months back, so did Manhattan Theatre Club patrons in their very similarly themed play "Based on a Totally True Story."

Whereas "True Story" examined and went straight to the core and very essence of the human heart, "Little Dog" does not and turns out to be one contrived mess. Mitchell (Scott) a late twenties naïve movie star falls hard for an equally as curious male prostitute (Galecki). When Hollywood comes calling Mitchell in the form of a movie producer and best friend (White), all bets are off and lives changes forever as the twists and turns only begin to happen. But was the audience really all that concerned about these lives to begin with? The answer is unfortunately a resounding NO!

There is no subtle brilliance in any of the storytelling, and thus in-turn also translates into each of the performances. Instead of a heart wrenching comedic play, the audience is left with a cold stereotypical quandary; and if one wonders why the homosexual population can ever be looked at in a negative light, all this is needed is a trip to the Cort.

The only minor success in the evening is the presence that is Julie White. She alone will have Broadway going audiences jumping out of their seats. Here Ms. White as the Hollywood producer proves why she is one of New York's greatest comic actors. A true comedic tour de force in an otherwise thoughtless work, Julie White gives the performance for the record books. With Ms. White's trademark phrasing, expressions and double takes - never has an actress worked so effortlessly to earn her laughs, and earn them she does. And while Johnny Galecki turns a one note role into an almost believable character, the rest cannot be said for the remaining two members of the cast. Tom Everett Scott and Ari Graynor (better in her work a few seasons ago in "Brooklyn Boy") walk a fine thin line between appealing and disengaging and both manage to somehow set and sustain the mood of the dull impracticality this lackluster production demands. Director Scott Ellis should be blamed for making sure the two new actors were as up to snuff as the actors who have previously played their roles.

Allen Moyer's set is simple, Donald Holder's lighting effective, and Jeff Mahshie's costumes are appropriate without demanding too much attention, until they come off. But it is because of Ellis' direction, in a Broadway house, that this already flimsy play falls flat. Unfortunately Ellis, Beane and company have set their stage for a rather disappointing run that only a single performance can save at this point, and chances of that are pretty slim.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/8/06 at 12:32pm

"Wannabe homosexuals?" So, they think it's fun and they're... pretending? I think Alex might not be all-out gay, but I wouldn't call them "wannabe." I mean, I get that you didn't like the play, but why insult the characters with stuff that doesn't even really make sense? Unless you're calling them that because of the closet factor, but still, that's a ridiculous term.

The only parallel I see between The Little Dog Laughed and Based on a Totally True Story is the gay storyline. You use the lack of similarities as an insult to Little Dog, when... they just weren't all that similar in the first place. Yes, Totally True Story was an examination of the human heart and of broken, formerly loving relationships. That's not what Little Dog is, nor is that what it's trying to be -- it's an examination of Hollywood industrial superficiality; botox, lies, whatever else. These characters are supposed to be shallow, and possibly mildly obnoxious. This isn't about an emotional journey; it's satire. You can't use one thing's positive attributes to slam another for lacking them when the intention was not at all the same. If they quite clearly were not trying for the same thing, how can you fault one for not going where the other did?

You have your rights to dislike the play -- many people agree with you -- but I feel like your arguments haven't got a leg to stand on, and if you're going to voice such strong opinions on the matter, your arguments might benefit from making a little sense.

Updated On: 11/8/06 at 12:32 PM

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/8/06 at 1:23pm

Agreed, Emcee. Other than the fact that there are gay characters and Hollywood is referenced, there is no common thread between LITTLE DOG and TRUE STORY. And while LITTLE DOG is one of the sharpest plays I've seen in a decade, TRUE STORY was one of the most groan-inducing.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/8/06 at 1:28pm

See, I thought Totally True Story was sweet. It was much, much too drawn-out, but it had a great heart. I think Little Dog is sharp and witty, but I liked it better on paper than I did in performance. I hope the transfer cleared up some of the problems I had with it off-Broadway (which were not many, I enjoyed it overall).

Further, in Totally True Story, Hollywood doesn't act as a closeting agent or any such thing, really -- it tears apart a relationship. Hollywood is sort of the big bad wolf, yet at the same time the laughing stock in Little Dog. I definitely don't see the commonality. Gay characters does not a similar play make.

[NBC]

Posted: 11/8/06 at 2:47pm

Thread-jacking to inquire where Emcee got her avatar image...thanks.

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread.

[LaCageAuxFollesFan2]

Posted: 11/8/06 at 3:25pm

The justification in my correlation is in the two Producer characters. It is true, I did enjoy TRUE STORY much more than LDL just becasuse I connected with it more on an emotional level; but...Kristine Nealson & Julie White's characters in their support of the up and coming character was entirely too similar and played by both actresses the same exact way IMO. There was just a reason behind BOATTS in my eyes that wasn't there and only played for laughs in LDL.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/8/06 at 4:10pm

I think it's completely valid to like a show better because you connect with it more on an emotional level -- and hey, Totally True Story IS a more emotional play. Yes, there are two producer characters who support up-and-comers in the business, but to me, they played two totally different dramatic roles. The Little Dog laughed is a comedy -- Julie White's character IS about laughs. The producer in Based on a Totally True story served a completely different purpose. So they had the same job title, but it's like apples and oranges.

NBC, I'll PM you, as not to further jack the thread.

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/8/06 at 4:13pm

You see, I think Nielson and White's performances are night and day. Nielson was much more caring and nurturing towards her client, whereas White comes off as a jaded, vicious bitch who will do anything to further HERSELF. Again, the only thing they had in common for me was that they were both women and both producers. Just my opinion...

[SCBWannabe]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 12:10pm

Also threadjacking....I am seeing the show tomorrow night. I am in the back of the orchestra, but it was better than paying full price. Will probably stage door afterwards....anyone else stay to meet the cast afterwards?

[Unknown User]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 1:56pm

So, it wasn't BLISSFULLY BRILLIANT or BEAUTIFULLY BEGUILING???

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/9/06 at 2:02pm

I staged-doored back at Second Stage....Julie was out before half the audience was done exiting.