BWW Reviews: SDT's Moving DOG SEES GOD

With the complete commercialization (a score of TV commercials, a new movie coming out, etc.) of Charles Schulz's creation, Peanuts, it seems only fitting that there should be some kind of satirical look at these classic characters. I'm not convinced that Bert V. Royal's script for Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead is completely successful at offering us a look at the teenage version of them, but it does tell a very poignant and moving story amidst a barrage of debauchery and unexpected behavior. I'm just not sure this story couldn't have been told just as effectively without them as reference points, but it does make the proceedings more interesting, to say the least. Stray Dog Theatre's current production makes the most of this uneven work by giving us committed performances that overcome their shallow stereotypes to actually make us feel true emotion. It's a surprising response that I was not prepared for. Go see this show and experience something much more thoughtful than what was, perhaps, intended.

CB's dog has been put down after contracting rabies and devouring a little yellow bird. He's looking for answers, but as it has been his whole life, none are forthcoming. He actually has to take the reins for once to actually make a change in his life. His sister is victim to the latest fashion trends, but shows more depth than expected, eventually. His best friend, Matt, is a homophobic neat freak, consumed with a hatred that's beyond bullying. His friend Van, is a pot-smoking philosopher more concerned with banging CB's sister, while his own sister has been put away for a pyromaniac episode relating to the "little red-haired girl's" hair. The two characters who would have seemed most likely to have become homosexual are now party girls who down White Russians at lunch. And, the sensitive pianist, Beethoven, has become a victim of verbal and physical abuse.

Michael Baird narrates the tale to his pen pal, but often maintains a stentorian tone that's a bit out of whack with his fellow actors' volume levels. Baird does compelling work though, and you definitely empathize with his conflicted feelings. Sierra Buffum does a nice job as his sister, and really comes to life during her soliloquy. Brendan Ochs is given a one note role as Matt, but does his best. Ryan Wiechmann is properly stoned as Van, providing us with occasional bits of wisdom amidst the weirdness, and Maria Bartolotta is fun to watch as Van's disturbed sister. Eileen Engel and Sara Rae Womack bring out their inner slut as Marcy and Tricia, respectively. Chris Tipp is continually frightened and overly sensitive as Beethoven, and you can really sense his inner anguish.

Justin Been's direction finds the heart and soul of this piece, and even though the characters aren't very well written, and rely too much on your familiarity with Schulz's original strips, Been wrings as much depth from the script as he possibly can. Rob Lippert's scenic design is a cartoon-like playground of primary colors, and lit par excellence by Tyler Duenow. Eileen Engel's costumes rely on subtleties to reflect each character, which enhances the story, but removes us farther from its roots as a take off. But, that's probably a good thing.

Stray Dog Theatre's production of Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead put the emphasis less on the satire (and laughs), and more on the actual ideas being presented. I think this show is well worth seeing, and it continues through June 20, 2015.

Photo credit: John Lamb

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