BWW Reviews: Stages St. Louis's Howlingly Funny Production of 101 DALMATIANS

The stage version of 101 Dalmatians differs greatly from the original 1961 Disney film classic, but the changes are smart ones that focus our attention more on the evil villain of the piece, Cruella De Vil, rather than on a lengthy, suspense filled chase through snowy woods and icy ponds, which really wouldn't translate well to the stage anyway. Instead we're left with a brisk piece of family-friendly entertainment that's not only delightful, but never dull in the least. Stages St. Louis is presenting a wonderfully realized production of this material that features a terrific cast singing and barking their hearts out.

This re-working still finds Roger and Anita's "friend" (fiend would be a better choice of words), looking to buy up their fifteen pups in order to add them to the other dalmatians she's managed to secure so that she can skin them and make herself a unique fur coat. Employing two numbskulls named Horace and Jasper, and taking advantage of the puppy's love for "Kanine Krunchies", they're able to spirit the dogs away, much to the dismay of their parents, Pongo and Perdita. But, utilizing the canine party line they're able to track the little nippers down to De Vil's fur vault, and with the aid of the gallant cat Sergeant Tibbs, justice is served and the pups are freed. Since composer Roger's song about Cruella is a hit, they're even able to make their own dalmatian plantation and accommodate the whole kit and caboodle of purloined puppies.

Leigh Wakeford gives a absolutely fabulous performance as Cruella, deliciously evil and divinely over the top in just the right fashion. Darin Wood and Erin Kelley are strong as the concerned husband and wife, Roger and Anita, respectively, and Taylor Pietz adds to the proceedings as their concerned nanny. Sean Patrick Quinn (Pongo) and Deanna Aguinaga (Perdita) are also quite good as they try to track down their charges through the doggy pipeline. John Flack (Horace) and Jeffrey Scott Stevens (Jasper) make for a fine pair of bumbling hoods employed by the evil Cruella, and Christopher Rice is properly heroic as Sergeant Tibbs, who winds up rescuing the spotted brood.

A large and equally talented supporting cast (some in dual roles) includes: P.J. Palmer (Lucky), Ariane Rinehart (Penny), Madison Johnson (Pepper), Zach Erhardt (Patch), Patrick Beecher and Kelc Johnson (Boxers and Poodles), Kyle Gunby and SavannahLight (Scotties and Chihuahuas), Taylor Edlin (Spot), Sarah Koo (Dot) and Kelsey Bearman, Jon Frazier, Jessika Dahlheimer, Tre'Von Griffith Sarah Knoblich, Jordan Rackley, Kyle Twomey and Caitlin Webb.

Michael Hamilton's direction and musical staging is light and breezy and the action flies by a rapid pace. He's aided by Ellen Isom's lively choreography, Lisa Campbell Albert's musical direction, the spot-on cartoonish scenic design of James Wolk, Matthew McCarthy's lighting design, and the costuming of Brad Musgrove, which conjures up the critters and humans with considerable economy and flair. Stuart Elmore orchestral design makes the most of Bryan Louiselle's adaptations and arrangements of the original music and lyrics of Mel Leven, BrIan Smith, Randy Rogel, Richard Gibbs, Martin Lee Fuller and Dan Root, which have been further revised by Marcy Heisler.

Stages St. Louis is presenting a fast-paced and fun-filled production of 101 Dalmatians, and it's must-see viewing for the younger set (although adults will like it too). 101 Dalmatians continues through July 3, 2011 at the Robert G. Reim auditorium in Kirkwood, MO.

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