A Dog Story, music and lyrics by Gayla D. Morgan is a
new musical comedy about a career-driven lawyer and his quest to marry a woman
in less than a month in order to secure a promotion. The plot left much to be
desired and the character development was almost remiss throughout the show
until its final moments.
The play was performed in the Loft at the Davenport’s Black Box
theatre. The set was clever. Designed by Lauren Mills, it featured large white
cabinets on either side of the stage whose cubbies were opened to reveal
different signs to signify scene changes and storage for characters to interact
with. A Dog Story was choreographed by Shannon Lewis and directed by
Justin Baldridge.
Roland (David Perlman) is our career-driven lawyer that is
unable to make partner at his firm. From faulty logic, Roland realizes that
others have been promoted before him because of their recent marriages. The
rest of Perlman’s performance was filled with his attempt to pull more depth
out of an otherwise shallow character.
Roland’s best friend, Guy (Brian Ray Norris) is a womanizer
that, despite being in his late thirties, acts as if he is scarcely eighteen.
His lewd comments and aggressive nature toward women did not come across as
endearing--his creepiness did not set well with the audience either. Norris was
unable to harness many defining moments.
Guy and Roland make a trip out to the Hamptons where Guy
believes Roland will find his wife, but he must “get a dog!” first. Shortly
after his endeavor of obtaining his new companion, he is in pursuit of Blair
(Stefanie Brown), a beautiful hedge fund manager that Roland believes is
perfect for him. Brown was captivating when she was on stage.
Lastly, realizing that Blair will never love him if his dog
misbehaves, Roland hires MIranda (Lindsie VanWinkle) to train his new puppy.
VanWinkle is faced with a more developed character surrounded by thin ones and
she does her best to compensate.
A Dog Story did what it could to win the audience with
its imaginary dog and shaky premise. The cast lacked chemistry and some of
their interactions came across as awkward. The show itself had some special
moments, that, as a dog lover, I did appreciate.
Review By: Alex Lipari
Photos By: Jeremy Daniel
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