Reviewed by James Karas
Dog Man: The Musical is a robust and rambunctious play intended for children but entertaining for everyone. It is based on four graphic books by Dav Pilkey who adapted them for the musical with book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila and Music by Brad Alexander. I confess I have not read any of the books.
Who is Dog Man? You ask. Well, he was a nice cop who was not very bright but owned a very smart dog. The dog met an unfortunate demise but its brain was transferred to its owner who, you guessed it, became very bright. He has dog ears and cannot speak but being smart helps and he is ready to go after criminals. Brandon James Botorovich is fast of foot and thought as Dog Man even if he cannot speak.
George (Metri Lyons) and Harold (Gage Thomas) are our hosts and they tell us that they are in grade 5 and have decided to create a musical based on their favorite graphic books. But they encountered some difficulties that they were able to work out. They found a way of transferring the cartoons from the page to the stage.
The fast-moving plot is about good versus evil and it takes about seventy minutes for the good guys to triumph over the baddies. Petey (Jake Wernecke) is a baddy who tries to clone himself into another criminal but ends up with a chatty but funny kitten called Li’l Petey (an effervescent Sadie Jayne Kennedy). He tries to make her evil but it does not register on her and she sings a “Happy Song” which you do not expect from a villain. Li’l Petey and Dog Man become friends and become “The Perfect Mashup.”
Flippy (Glory Yepassis-Zembrou) is a telekinetic fish and there is a Robot that is supposed to make the kitty become evil. But the dastardly and very funny villains are no match for Dog Man and Li’l Petey and law and order. All the actors take on other roles with maximum speed and minimum fuss. There are only five actors and far more roles to fill. They do it with humour, energy and plain gusto.
The set by Timothy R. Mackabee is a colorful room that can be changed to different locations with little fuss. The costumes are again colorful with touches of humour, all intended to fit the high-octane performances by the actors.
There are thirteen musical numbers that emphasize rambunctiousness and comic spirit that suit the plot and I admit that I cannot recall any particular tune. The singing involves the company in every number and aims at moving the plot and to entertain us rather than impress us or become embedded in our memory.
Director and Choreographer Jen Wineman sets the relentless pace and maintains it throughout,
The intended audience is young
people, perhaps elementary school pupils but but a good show entertains
everyone and Dog Man: The Musical does just that.
_____________________________
Dog Man: The Musical by Kevin Del Aquila (book
and lyrics), Brad Alexander (music), adapted from the books by Dav Pilkey, a Theater Works production, opened on May 9 and will run until
June 9, 2024, at the CAA Theatre, 651
Yonge St, Toronto ON, M4Y 1Z9 www.mirvish.com/
James Karas is the Senior Editor, Culture of The Greek Press
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