STAGE TUBE: The Making of 101 DALMATIONS: Making it a Dog's Perspective

By: Mar. 04, 2010
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Based on the beloved book by Dodie Smith and led by an award-winning creative team including four-time Tony Award-winning director Jerry Zaks (A BRONX TALE, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, GUYS AND DOLLS), acclaimed bookwriter/co-lyricist B.T. McNicholl (Billy Elliot, SPAMALOT, THE IT GIRL), and Dennis DeYoung, co-founder of the legendary rock band Styx, The 101 Dalmatians Musical promises a quirky, upside-down view of the world where the audience sees life from a dog's point of view. This stage musical transports audiences to a topsy-turvy, exciting, and altogether fantastic reality that gives grand license for song, dance, and spectacle in a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience.

Presented by CAPA and Broadway Across America, The 101 Dalmatians Musical plays Clowes Hall March 9 through 14, 2010.

The 101 Dalmatians Musical features 15 talented Dalmatians on stage in a surprise grand finale. Most of the dogs were rescued from animal shelters across the country, and all were trained by Joel Slaven, one of the world's foremost animal trainers. Slaven has worked extensively with Jack Hanna, Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, on such feature films as "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective" and "That Darn Cat."

Actress Sara Gettelfinger stars as puppy-hating villainess Cruella de Vil. Her Broadway credits include SUESSICAL THE MUSICAL, THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, "Carla" in NINE with Antonio Banderas, "Jolene Oakes" in DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS opposite John Lithgow, and the first national tour of FOSSE.

Featuring James Ludwig as Pongo, the cast also includes Chip Abbott, Joel Blum, Sammy Borla, Anna Bowen, Jeff Scot Carey, Kristy Cavanaugh, Lydia Clemente, Piper Curda, Joseph Dellger, Madeleine Doherty, Julie Foldesi, Garrett Hawe, Michael Thomas Holmes, Robert Anthony Jones, Kevin C. Loomis, Erin Maguire, Mike Masters, Neal Mayer, Catherine Missal, Ah-niyah Yonay Neal, Catia Ojeda, Clark Kelley Oliver, Chuck Ragsdale, Molly Sorohan, Kendra Tate, Kristen Beth Williams, Emma Zaks, and Austin Zambito-Valente.

The 101 Dalmatians Musical follows Dalmatian spouses Pongo and Missis Pongo who are living the good life in London with their "pets," Charles and Catherine Dearly. When their 10 puppies are suddenly "dognapped" by the villainous Cruella de Vil, they summon the help of a vast network of dogs and set off to rescue their pups. There's a happy ending for all with laughter, mayhem, and music along the way.

The show's lively contemporary score and soundtrack was composed by Dennis DeYoung. As the lead singer of the legendary rock band Styx, DeYoung composed such unforgettable, timeless hits as "Babe," "Come Sail Away," Best of Times," and "Mr. Roboto." With The 101 Dalmatians Musical, he brings his pop rock flair to an array of original songs destined to become popular material to kids and adults alike including "One-Hundred-and-One Dalmatians," "Song of the Twilight Barking," "One True Love," and "Cruella Always Gets Her Way."

In the video, director Jerry Zaks and choreographer Warren Carlyle talk about the use of stilts and the shows scenery to make it appear to be from the dogs' perspective.

For more information, or to order tickets, visit online at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.



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