Going to see 101 Dalmations tomorrow (10/30)

[Roboto750]

I'll be heading to the "101 Dalmations" show tomorrow (10/30) at the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta, GA. I'll be sure to report my thoughts sometime after. I picked up a flyer for the show at a local Walden Books and it highlights Dennis, front and center as having written the music and for being a "Founding member of the group, Styx." I'm going with my wife, brother, and mom. Should at least be entertaining.

[bugsymalone]

I have tickets for it in November in Austin. (Am amazed that anything DDY-related is actually coming to Texas!)

Early reviews for the musical have been mixed, but apparently it is a huge hit with families and children. It sounds like a lot of fun to me.

Bugsy

[styxfanNH]

If it is a hit with families then it is reaching its intended audience.

[Roboto750]

We all thought the show was pretty good. It wasn't terribly crowded (possibly due to being so close to Halloween). In fact, we had purchased the cheap seats, but we were upgraded to the next level of seats downstairs! There were tons of kids there, including one that was dressed up like a Dalmation (which was kind of cute). The story is a little different from the Disney version (especially towards the end), the musical being based on the book. It may not be an award winner (based on sales and attendence), but it is a fun musical for families (with the exception of the word "hell" being used quite a bit). The adult and child actors did a great job and the sets and lighting were looking good. It had plenty of funny moments. I thought one of the best lines in the whole musical was when one of the Dalmation puppies asked her father, "Daddy, what goes on in the bushes?" (if you don't get it, remember we're talking dogs here ).

Dennis did a great job with the music here. It's something original, and I could pick out Dennis' style here and there (in fact, I could imagine him singing most of the lines in concert). I mean, it's not "Come Sail Away" or even "Mr. Roboto", but its not bad and matched the musical perfectly. I'm just kind of surpised that there was not (and is not) a CD recording of the soundtrack. I could see Dennis releasing something, or "the company" themselves, I just thought they would have had something, at least preorders, at the show. I'd pick one up for the heck of it.

Again, it was a fun and silly show. Our biggest complaint was that the live dogs were not featured that much. No, we didn't expect them the whole time (or to get up a sing, lol), but as much publicity as they gave the dogs, we expected them more (so did the kids in the audience). They even had pics of the dogs in the lobby with names and bios, as well as in the program. I'd give it a an A-/B+. If you're looking for something to do, I'd recommend checking it out.

[bugsymalone]

I had a bit of a different experience. Basically a packed house who absolutely loved the show. Gave it a standing ovation at the end.

There were plenty of kids, many dressed in spotted clothing, and you could tell they had a grand time.

The musical takes a bit of adjustment as to how it is presented, but once it kicks in, it is high energy and fun.

DDY's music is (gee surprise, surprise coming from me) wonderful. Lots of variety. I really did not hear a clunker in the bunch. He has two or three real show stoppers, too. Curella's "Hot", the wonderful "Be A Little Bit Braver" and the really crowd-pleasing "Spot On."

I was delighted with the staging and its quirky surprises, and the costumes are fantastic.

It is over the top in many ways and it is just what a good musical should be.

Many I talked to wanted a soundtrack CD, as did I, and it was too bad they didn't have one for sale with the merchandise (which is charming!), because it would have sold out, no question.

Fun moment was at the end, when the "real dogs" came out and did their thing. They pretty much lost it and it was sort of spotted freestyle onstage. The audience loved it anyway and it made the ending that much more enjoyable.

I recommend for families or anyone. I think it has an appeal for any age.

Bugsy