DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL

As a former elementary school teacher, I’m always interested in theatre for children, especially shows based on books. Reading is sooo important. (A friend who has young kids once thanked me for always giving her children books as gifts—she said that is so rare these days.) And that’s just what Dog Man: The Musical is—a presentation based on a book.

If you have children, you’re most likely already aware of the Dog Man series of graphic novels on which this show is based. If not, you really don’t need to know about them because this is not the show for you. (But childless pet lovers may enjoy it.)

Dog Man: The Musical is really only for children, even though some grown-ups might find it somewhat charming or amusing. I had misunderstood just what this show is, so I forced Mr. X to go with me, confusing it with one of the several holiday shows I’ve been invited to this season. And let me tell you, I think we were the only people there without kiddies on opening night! That was a bit uncomfortable. It was a family affair for everyone else. When we walked in and perused the situation, I considered pretending to be Mr. X’s child, (as my kid friend across the street always used to think I was!,) just to not stand-out.

But I did get a kick out of the show a bit. First of all, I love the sound of kids’ laughter. It’s my second fave sound, to—no, contrary to popular opinion, not the sound of my own voice— Mr. X’s snoring, (because I know he’s finally getting some rare sleep.)

Another reason for my semi-enjoyment of Dog Man: The Musical is that since there are not that many shows that are specifically for children, I’m happy that this one is available to SoCal youngsters, especially when they have the holidays off from school.

The narrative of the musical itself is that a pair of elementary school besties decide to put on—what else?–a musical version of a story about one of their literary heroes, Dog Man, (who is a human cop with a dog head.) On their lunch break. How ambitious of them.

But I doubt that many of the kids in the audience understand that full scenario. They just see one of their favorite characters in a somewhat amusing, colorful, and musical production. And I’m sure that most of them delight in it, (although on the night we saw it, there were some crying, kicking, and bored-looking kids around us.)

I even chuckled myself a time or two. And I was happy to see a talented cast. I appreciated them all, but my fave singing voice was that of Bryan Daniel Porter, who plays Petey, the (I’m assuming) cat burglar. His solo number, Without Me, was my favorite song, as well.

And Brian Owen, who has played Dog Man since Day 1 of the show’s original Off-Broadway run, is very good. He performs the canine noises really well, (the character can’t speak, nor sing, once he has the dog’s head sewn onto his body,) and he’s surprisingly light on his feet.

With all the energy they use, each of the half dozen actors must lose ten pounds a show! Good thing for them that there are so many restaurants in Culver City, where this production is running. (As the former restaurant critic for the Culver City News, I’d be happy to recommend some to them.)

Since this is a musical, after all, it’s a bonus for audiences of all ages is that all the lyrics are discernible!

I’m also an craver of bright colors, (a semi-grown-up friend of mine, who has spent many an overnight as a guest in my famous “Crayon Room,” recently asked me if he could now bring his two little daughters to stay there,) so the very colorful set and costumes really appealed to me, as I’m sure they do to all youngsters.

A tad confusing to me, though, is that the program states that the action takes place in “a treehouse,” but in the beginning of the show, the young characters who are putting on the musical say that they’re in school. Perhaps the school is in the treehouse, which I wouldn’t know because I’m not familiar with the books. But, hopefully, audience members who have read the book series will have a better understanding of the setting than I did. Actually, I’m sure no one but my literal self will care!

My only real problem with the entire production is this: With kids being extra-impressionable these days, perhaps there should be some sort of notice telling the audience “do not try this at home” in a few instances, (such as cutting off a person’s head to sew an animal’s one onto the body—it does not work in real life. Or thinking bombs are funny.) I hope at least the parents caution their kids about those situations.

As much as Mr. X was not a fan of this show, he mentioned something about it that I adore. He said that children getting the opportunity to see presentations such as this one could possibly set them on a path to a career in entertainment. I would love to hear a story like that from a famous actor or actress down the line one day. I’ll be happy to say I was there the night that sparked their love of entertaining!

Dog Man: The Musical running through January 7, 2024
Kirk Douglas Theatre  9820 Washington Blvd.  Culver City www.centertheatregroup.org