Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The goofball charms of the confidently crafted DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL shines through

• By drediman
• March 15, 2023
• No Comments

Earlier this week, TheaterWorksUSA’s production of Dog Man: The Musical opened Off-Broadway at New World Stages. For the uninitiated, the Dog Man franchise originated as a series of 10 graphic novels for children by Dev Pilkey. Perhaps to mark the release of the 11th book, the well-received family-friendly musical has returned to New York for a limited engagement (the musical previously ran at the Lucille Lortel Theater in 2019).

In short, Dog Man: The Musical deftly unites the worlds of comic books and musical theater. Indeed, despite the silliness of the show’s storyline – the piece really does feel like it sprung from the unbridled, goofball imaginations of pre-teens – it’s also a confidently crafted piece of musical theater. Perhaps the strongest aspect of the show is the book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila (who is currently hamming up a storm on the Great White Way in the fabulous new musical Some Like It Hot at the Shubert), who simultaneously takes the time to introduce young audiences to the pleasures of the musical theater form, while also authentically channeling the zany spirit Pelkey’s graphic novels. The music by Brad Alexander resourcefully draws from the most successful aspects of contemporary musical theater scores to assemble a surprisingly self-assured set of songs. Indeed, by avoiding to talk down to children and talk up to adults, Aguila and Alexander manage to cater to and entertain both young ones and adults alike.

The production has been directed by Jen Wineman, who gives the staging snappy pacing and an amusingly scrappy “let’s put on a musical” sensibility (which is also projected by the inspired work by Timothy R. Mackabee and Heidi Leigh Hanson on sets and costumes, respectively). The strong-voiced and congenial ensemble cast of six are a joy to watch, and they are clearly having ball performing the piece. Unsurprisingly, their infectious performances translate to the audiences’ enjoyment.

Those looking for family-friendly entertainment but have exhausted Broadway’s offerings will be pleasantly surprised by the quality and entertainment value afforded by Dog Man: The Musical.

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DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL
Off-Broadway, Musical
New World Stages / TheaterWorksUSA
1 hour, 30 minutes (including an intermission)
Through April 30