When I heard the title of this theatre piece, “Dog and Pony”, it gave me quite a chuckle, only because I remember in my younger years having been involved in a start-up in which myself and the CEO, hit the road across the country to pitch our deal…and yep, it was a Dog and Pony show. “Dog and Pony” is a musical comedy full of laughs, show stopping songs and relationship advice along the way. You can sympathize with this odd ball but successful writing team of Andy and Mags (Magnolia). The narcissist writer (Andy played by Jon Patrick Walker) and his forever single doormat partner, Mags played by Nicole Parker) as he likes to refer to as his “work spouse”. Although it is hard to imagine why Mags (or any woman for that matter) would ever fall in love with this selfish and needy character, it’s clear that Mags suffers from low self-esteem and coke bottle glasses, her character is lovable nonetheless. The story is told from flashbacks from an audience talkback at an Idaho film festival, where the couple’s 11th (and final) film has screened. The pair has split and there is a lot of bitterness between the two, they take turns with the digs and that is amusing to watch from there raised physical platforms on stage. It’s the classic story where the guy abuses the girl, girl gets fed up and leaves after many years of unrequited love. Guy falls apart and realizes his big mistake in letting this smart, beautiful and devoted girl leave, but of course, he realizes this too late in the game as she has moved on. The musical numbers alone will keep you entertained, one worth mentioning is Mags’ angry patter song “What the Hell Am I Doing,” sung as she feverishly pedals a miniature car around the stage is a hoot! Though the leads do a fine job with their characters, the real star here is Heidi Blickenstaff who plays both Andy’s embittered and “hunt happy” ex-wife Jane and his hippy, kooky girlfriend Bonnie, who speaks of herself in the third person. Heidi has great visual expressions and a voice that charms you. Also, Beth Leavel is the queen of the one-liners and plays both Rhoda and Doris, the very different moms of Andy and Mags. This wonderful production let’s each actor develop into a believable person that bears some resemblance to the real “characters” who have come and gone in our own lives. Playing now through June 29th at the Sheryl & Harvey White Theatre, The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park. Tickets can purchased at: theoldglobe.org. Alexandra Rosa – Art Rocks 247.
Posted on: Wed, 11 Jun 2014 14:41:13 +0000
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