P.D. Eastman’s classic children’s book comes to life on stage in an exploration of movement, color, and space. The dogs delve into life with gusto, creating a visual spectacle for the audience to feast upon. They snorkel. They howl at the moon. They ride a Ferris wheel. They sing, dance, and climb trees. This is a rollicking free-for-all of chicanine-ery. A big and little musical world of doggy fun, it’s like a pop-up book that comes to life, and never stops. (From the Boat Club website)
A silly, energetic, singing pack of colorful dogs is about to take over the Boat Club Theatre with the production of Go, Dog. Go! running May 27-31. According to Jason Vincent, Producer/Artistic Director, they will be performing six school matinees (closed to the public) – two each day on May 27, 28, and 29, with about 120 students expected for each performance from area schools. Two public performances are scheduled for May 30-31 at 2 pm.
The colorfully named characters include Red Dog, played by Lee Cutler. He said, “I’ve grown up with dogs my whole life. I don’t currently have one of my own, but I get to spend a lot of time taking care of my mom’s dog, Bud, an almost 11-year-old yellow Lab.”
He added, “Bud has reminded me that dogs have enormous personalities and very strong opinions. They are loyal, curious, stubborn, joyful, dramatic, and deeply loving, sometimes all within the same five minutes. Bud has also reminded me that dogs live completely in the moment, which is a pretty wonderful thing to bring into rehearsal.”
“Playing a dog gives you permission to be silly, physical, curious, and fully present . . . It is also just a lot of fun to be in a room with a cast willing to play, experiment, and be ridiculous together.”
Cast member Annika Emerson noted, “I have two dogs, Bailey, a golden doodle, and Nitro, a golden Labrador. They are just so constantly energetic and excited about everything, and I feel that’s really what we try to do as the dogs in the show as well.”
“My character Hattie is so fun because she is such a little diva!” said Emerson. “She loves her hats and even more than that, she really wants the approval of the other dogs on her hat fashion choices.”
“I think this show is something all ages will enjoy because of all of the physical comedy bits. It’s very silly, and we are up there having a blast, which I feel will really make the audience also have fun with us – regardless of their age.”
The owner of a puggle (pug/beagle mix) named Roxy, Keely Waechter’s character is Green Dog. Keely said she loves paying with her “doggy pals” in the show. “This production contains clever little moments hiding in a lot of high-energy foolishness.”
Describing her character, Corbyn Ames said, “Blue dog is the youngest of the dogs and is very excitable. They always want to show up and be a part of the team, unafraid to be a little silly about it. The dogs all have big emotions, thoughts, and feelings, but their biggest connective factor is their friendship, and I’m so grateful that we’ve gotten to explore that both within our characters and together as individual artists and people.”
Ames concluded, ”This show is a quick-paced bundle of fun. These dogs are constantly moving and making discoveries about the world around them. No matter what age you are, there is always space to learn and play in your life, and that is exactly what Go, Dog. Go! is all about.”
More information about Go, Dog. Go!
May 27-29, 10:30 am & 1 pm – Elementary School group matinees
May 30-31, 2 pm – Family matinees for general audiences
Spirit of the North Theatre, Fitger’s Complex – 3rd Floor
Box Office Phone Number: (218) 623-7065
Tickets at destinationduluth.co/bcp-go-dog-go
