SCT presents “Dog Man: The Musical”

Seattle Children’s Theatre presents “Dog Man: The Musical” tailored from the “Dog Man” collection of books by Dav Pilkey. Currently operating by way of October 22 with extra efficiency dates added, this manufacturing is a marvel to behold, appeasing young and old audiences with its outlandish story, infectious enthusiasm, and a heavy heaping of coronary heart.

“Who’s a Good Cop?”

Where to begin with such an enthralling stage manufacturing? For one, my daughter and I have been unfamiliar with the “Dog Man” collection of books and walked into this manufacturing nearly chilly. Even so, the musical requires no earlier information of the supply materials to get pleasure from its ridiculously enjoyable plot and eccentric storytelling totally. No jokes or elements felt unique to these conversant in the collection, although I’m certain having that experience would enable punchlines to hit more durable. Anyone can get pleasure from its raucous good time, and we definitely did.

Minutes in, my daughter and I have been hooked by the hilarious story a couple of policeman and his police canine who, after a horrible accident, have been sewn collectively to outlive. (Fear not. Though it sounds morbid and completely tragic, the story of the unlikely superhero is informed with loads of giggles, fully underplaying the irksome actuality of the medical horror.) The product of this Frankenstein operation is Dog Man, who has a canine head and a human physique.

Dog Man can’t converse human phrases, however actor Brandon James Butorovich doesn’t want them. His efficiency is notable as a result of he garnered a few of the most laughs and cheers from the viewers because of his unnervingly excellent bodily comedy. He “ruffs” and “roos,” leaping over props, pretend-peeing on issues and being an insanely convincing Dog Man. As one of many musical numbers contends, “Whose a good cop? Whose a good cop?” Dog Man will not be a technically ample cop, however he’s the center of the manufacturing and does a wonderful job of successful the viewers’s affection.

A musical delight

This was the primary manufacturing with musical numbers that I’ve taken my five-year-old to see at SCT. She was totally engaged your entire time and anxious that the top of each music meant the manufacturing was over. She merely didn’t need the enjoyable to finish. The songs are full of life and humorous, significantly for the grownup viewers members who catch on to the slight allusions right here and there that make this adaptation so sensible.

Kevin Del Aguila, who created the ebook and lyrics, ought to be counseled for handily straddling the road between partaking young viewers and interesting to folks. There are a number of wink-wink nods to basic literature and different musicals. Though the plot is completely ridiculous, it really works. Dog Man is the police division’s hope for stopping Flippy the cyborg fish and his troop of Beasty Buildings. There can also be Petey, the feline evil mastermind who has cloned himself, although Li’l Petey isn’t the maniacal villain the elder hoped to create.

Sadie Jayne Kennedy, who stars at Li’l Petey, is spectacular within the function, and her voice modulation is a real expertise. It was almost unattainable to discern her voice from that of an precise little one, even by way of the various musical numbers she needed to carry out. Overall, “Dog Man” advantages from a gifted solid who act, dance and sing in a nonstop, action-packed, hour-long manufacturing.

Art route

There will not be an inch of the stage or a single prop that isn’t used to its most capabilities or doesn’t have a twin objective. The zombie high-rises flip from painted cardboard to human costumes in seconds. It doesn’t matter that the working desk upon which Dog Man involves fruition is just a desk with a white sheet, transformed seconds earlier than from a treehouse workplace area or a police station desk. It’s straightforward to make use of our creativeness to assist convert Petey’s cloning machine – a big, embellished delivery field – into a classy contraption able to cloning.

Though a lot occurs within the quick runtime, with the story twisting and handing over no route that makes complete sense, the aforementioned performances are so convincing that it doesn’t matter. As the musical progressed, scenes melted collectively in a whir of music and dance. Every little one within the auditorium was on the fringe of his or her seat, eagerly ready to see what Dog Man and crew would do subsequent.

Recommended age

Apart from a few disco dance sequences, the manufacturing doesn’t characteristic shiny, flashing lights, loud noises or in any other case “scary” components that would frighten young viewers. Even when carried out by the villains, the musical numbers are lighthearted and upbeat. The characters are in fixed movement across the stage, which definitely stored the rapt consideration of my five-year-old.

Kids over 5 are likelier to grasp and benefit from the musical, although younger attendees with strong consideration spans would fare nicely. At a lean runtime of simply 64 minutes with out an intermission, younger viewers could make it by way of most, if not all, of the manufacturing.

Know earlier than you go:

• Purchase tickets here. Many reveals are already bought out.
• The present runs by way of October 22, with numerous showtimes spanning the morning and night.
• Runtime is roughly 64 minutes with out an intermission.
• The ASL Interpreted Performance is on Saturday, October 21, at 1:30 p.m.
• The Sensory Friendly/Relaxed Performance is on Sunday, October 22 at 11:00 a.m.
• Seattle Children’s Theatre is positioned at 201 Thomas Street, Seattle 98109
• Garage and road parking are available with fee. Give your self ample time if there’s an occasion at Climate Pledge Arena.
• Masks are strongly inspired however non-compulsory.
• Seattle Children’s Theatre is operating at full capability.

*Note: Photos by Jeremy Daniel of 2019 off-Broadway solid. Featuring: Brian Owen, L.R. Davidson, Dan Rosales, Jamie LaVerdiere, Crystal Sha’nae, Forest VanDyke.

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