101 DALMATIONS With Rachel York As Cruella De Vil Comes To The Orpheum Theater 10/13-18

By: Sep. 09, 2009
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

The 101 Dalmatians Musical, the charming and one-of-a-kind classic tale about what it means to be a family canine and courageous starring Drama Desk Award-winning actress Rachel York as Cruella De Vil, will take the public stage for the first time during its world premiere at Hennepin Theatre Trust's Orpheum Theatre, Oct. 13-18, 2009. The musical based on the 1957 novel by Dodie Smith is led by an award-winning creative team including four-time Tony Award winning director Jerry Zaks (A Bronx Tale, Smokey Joe's Café and Guys and Dolls), acclaimed bookwriter and co-lyricist B.T. McNicholl (Billy Elliot, Spamalot and The IT Girl), and Dennis DeYoung, founding member of the rock band Styx, on board as composer and co-lyricist. The 101 Dalmatians Musical is presented by Hennepin Theatre Trust as part of its 2009-10 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis season. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit our website at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or call 1-800-982-2787.

The 101 Dalmatians Musical follows Dalmatians 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. Director Jerry Zaks added, "We felt it was very important to accurately portray the look and feel of the original book, which tells the story from the dogs' point-of-view, in a way that translates to the stage. Humans will be presented in a heightened form of dress and scale so as to appear larger than life, and the actors who play the animals will thus seem more human than their humans. As for the lovable Dalmatians, they will have no ears, no paws but rather a clever use of costumes in a black-and-white palette that will immediately set them apart from the human characters. The 101 Dalmatians Musical is a universal tale about a parent's love for their children and how they must band together during a difficult time."

In keeping with the spirit of the original story, The 101 Dalmatians Musical promises a quirky, upside-down view of the world from a dog's perspective. The stage musical will transport theatergoers into an exciting and altogether fantastic reality that gives grand license for song, dance and spectacle. In addition to the bevy of talented human actors, The 101 Dalmatians Musical will showcase fifteen talented Dalmatians. Many of these dogs were rescued from animal shelters across the country and given a new lease on life with these starring roles, making for an inspiring rags-to-riches story. The show's lively contemporary score and soundtrack was composed by Grammy nominated and People's Choice Award winner Dennis DeYoung. As former singer of the legendary rock band Styx, DeYoung composed such timeless hits as "Babe," "Come Sail Away," "The Best of Times" and "Mr. Roboto." With The 101 Dalmatians Musical he brings his pop rock flair to an array of original songs to kids and adults alike-"One-Hundred-and-One Dalmatians," "Twilight Barking," "One True Love," "Cruella Always Gets Her Way" and "Be A Little Braver."

Your browser may not support display of this image.

The 101 Dalmatians Musical Premieres at the Orpheum Theatre, p. 2

"I loved having the opportunity to give musical life to the outrageous Cruella De Vil, what composer wouldn't? More importantly, I tried to create a score that will stay with the audience long after they leave the theater. Musical theater should aspire to be relevant both in and out of dramatic context. With that in mind, it might be time to start teaching your dogs to sing," added DeYoung, the composer and co-lyricist.

"We are thrilled to be bringing the beloved classic story of 101 Dalmatians to life and to audiences across the country this fall," said Lee D. Marshall, Co-Founder of Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions. "The inspiration for the production's unique and delightful concept came directly from re-discovering the original 1957 novel. Now over 50 years later, the 101 Dalmatians tale continues to bring joy to families and we are confident our talented creative team will inspire theatergoers of all ages through The 101 Dalmatians Musical's unique story-telling, amazing new music and tremendous performances."

The 101 Dalmatians Musical also features a surprise grand finale showcasing the tremendous talents of the 15 live Dalmatians. The dogs were all trained by Joel Slaven, one of the world's foremost animal trainers, who has worked extensively with Jack Hanna on such features films as "Ace Ventura Pet Detective" and "That Darn Cat."

The tour will have its world premiere at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis from October 13-18, 2009 and will travel to major markets and venues across the country including a three-week engagement from April 6-25, 2010 at the WaMu Theater at New York City's famed Madison Square Garden. The musical is produced by Magic Arts & Entertainment/Tix Productions, Troika Entertainment and international producer Luis Alvarez. Tour and ticket information is available at www.the101dalmatiansmusical.com.

Purina® Dog Chow®, the brand that celebrates millions of rascally dogs around the country, has signed on as the title sponsor for The 101 Dalmatians Musical. Purina Dog Chow will support the musical with an extensive national print, retail and online campaign.

Note to editors: The show's producers have created a special home for these extraordinary canines while on tour. The dogs will travel in style in a one-of-a-kind customized bus being hailed as a "rolling doggie palace." Equipped with a grooming station and portable playground along with two trainers, these Dalmatian darlings will be treated like royalty. After the tour, the rescued dogs will be either placed in loving homes or will continue to live on Joel Slaven's sprawling Florida ranch.

TICKET INFORMATION

Single tickets for The 101 Dalmatians Musical are on sale now and range in price from $23 to $73, subject to change. Tickets may be purchased in person at the State Theatre Box Office (805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, 55402), online at HennepinTheatreTrust.org or through Ticketmaster by calling 1-800-982-2787 or visiting a Ticketmaster Ticket Center. All prices include applicable facility fees and depend on performance time and seating preference. Additional charges may apply. Groups of 10 or more should call 612-373-5665 for information and reservations.

Performance dates for The 101 Dalmatians Musical are Tuesday, Oct. 13 to Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 at the Orpheum Theatre, 910 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, 55403.

Show times are Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.

HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST, owner of the historic State, Orpheum and Pantages Theatres, is a non-profit organization devoted to enriching the vibrant cultural atmosphere of the Twin Cities. The Trust's programs include Broadway touring productions, the SpotLight Musical Theatre Program for high schools, Critical View student reviewer program, Teen Ushers, the Access Program and Kids' Night. For more information, go to HennepinTheatreTrust.org.

Broadway Across America Owned and operated by British theatre producer John Gore (CEO) and entertainment industry veteran Thomas B. McGrath (Chairman), Broadway Across America presents first-class touring Broadway musicals and plays, family productions and other live events throughout a network of 43 North American cities. Broadway Across America is also dedicated to the development and production of new and diverse live theatre for productions on Broadway, across America and throughout the world. Broadway Across America most recently produced Irving Berlin's White Christmas on Broadway, while current and upcoming productions include West Side Story, Blithe Spirit, Minsky's and the DeafWest production of Pippin. Broadway tours include Dora the Explorer, Frost/Nixon, Spamalot, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Fiddler on the Roof. For more information or to purchase tickets through an authorized agent go to BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com.

Photo credit Walter McBride



Videos