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| Jon Gentry, Michael Thompson, Caitlin Dhuse, Adam Sowards, and Brynn Lewallen Photo by Tim Trumbule |
Click here for more information on this production that runs through December 23rd.
"The great thing about Childsplay is that they not only offer a season of over a half dozen shows aimed at children of various ages, but they also feature plays with serious themes as well as others that are mainly just for fun. Their production of Go, Dog, Go! may not have an in-depth plot or much character development, and the life lessons the show imparts are mainly geared toward younger children and focus on such things as different colors and that when it's nighttime you should be sleeping, but with an energetic cast and upbeat direction it amounts to a fun and infectious theatrical treat...the story simply focuses on a group of dogs as they go about their everyday routine, which mainly includes the standard canine traits of playing, partying and sleeping...Based on P.D. Eastman's 1961 picture book, the 2003 adaptation by Allison Gregory and Steven Dietz uses the same simple words Eastman used in his book, along with a zippy score from Michael Koerner and an abundance of good physical comedy under Andrés Alcalá's spotless direction, to deliver an hour of humor and joy...Jon Gentry leads a cast of talented actors including Caitlin Dhuse, Brynn Lewallen, Jennie Rhiner, Adam Sowards and Michael Thompson. ...Andrés Alcalá's direction is as playful as the pups, with Caroline Wagner's upbeat and varied choreography adding to the show's jubilant nature. ...Rob Witmer's sound design includes a nonstop stream of fun sound effects and his music direction creates some lovely sounds from the cast who excel at singing Michael Koerner's score with a series of vocal acoustics including plenty of barks and howls....Childsplay's production is bright and catchy and amounts to an upbeat, fun and funny time. While the show is geared toward younger audience members, it truly is a show that will put a big smile on the faces of people of all ages. Even this middle-aged theatre critic was grinning throughout. " -Gil Benbrook, Talkin' Broadway (click here to read the complete review)
"What delighted Childsplay audiences in Tempe more than six years ago has returned for the holiday season to delight valley audiences all over again. Based on the 1961 children’s book, written and illustrated by screenwriter and protégé of Theodor Geisel, P.D. Eastman, the six rambunctious pups of Go, Dog, Go spring from the page to the stage and bring Eastman’s hugely popular book to colorful life....Jon Gentry as the Master of Ceremonies dog leads the energetic pack in a series of situations aimed at introducing children to concepts they may never have considered, such as colors, their differences, how they’re mixed, and how to have fun with them....As with Eastman’s illustrated book, the play may be plot free, but there is a running story of sorts revolving around a pink poodle called Hattie (Jennie Rhiner) and her hat with the little flower....The show is aimed at the same age group as the book, ages 3 to 6, but, in truth, if you enjoy clever theatrics, physical comedy, and vaudeville in general, not to mention six boisterous pups barking in musical harmony, then as a parent you’ll enjoy this highly skilled Andrés Alcalá directed Childsplay production as much the child you’ve accompanied, just for different reasons." -David Appleford, Valley Screen and Stage (click here to read the complete review)
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