Last night, I went to see the latest production by Ignition Theatre "Dog Sees God". I will try to be fair and balanced, yet that might prove difficult considering I'm good friends with the director of the play, and I've worked with nearly everyone involved with the production in some capacity. However in my defence of choosing to write this review I like to think that I'm very picky about the things I choose to write about. I like to write a lot, and it's difficult to write about things you aren't interested or passionate about. In my other blog (yes I have two blogs) I either write about movies I really really love, or ones I really really hate, the same can be said for any type of art I want to write about. I have to feel strongly about the subject in one way or another in order to spend my time to write about my thoughts. So without digressing too much on the topic at hand, here is my review of "Dog Sees God".
First of all, I think it's important to know what my state of mind was before I came to see the play that night. I was in no mood to see the play, I had just come off work, I was tired, I was in my work clothes, I was happy to have the day off the next day, I just wanted to go home. Yet I had said I would show up to the play that night, there was a ticket put aside for me, I still wanted to see it, but I wished it were on another day when I didn't have to work. In short, I felt obligated to go.
I arrived begrudgingly to the theatre, received my ticket and took my seat. The first thing I saw was the set, which I thought was one of the most creative sets I've seen in an Ignition show, it was very colorful. It had a cartoon feel to it, but one that wasn't too out of this world, in other words, it remained believable.
I suppose I should explain to those of you reading this blog who have no idea what "Dog Sees God" is, that this is a play set in the Charlie Brown universe. All the Peanuts characters are now teenagers, and like all teenagers, even The Peanuts, the world has become a far more darker and confusing place.
The main character is C.B. (Ryan Matilla) who's dog has just died of rabies, he was hoping to have a funeral for his lovable beagle, but none of his friends arrive for it. C.B. starts having questions of the afterlife, but he doesn't find much solace from anyone,just mostly the obligatory condolence "Sorry to hear about your dog".
He does receive some comfort from Beethoven (Chad Pitura) a former friend of C.B.'s who has become the target of bullying from him and his friends. It's from beethoven, C.B. discovers more about himself than he ever thought.
While I was watching "Dog Sees God", I found myself totally engaged in the story, but also the presentation; I appreciated this alternative take on the Peanuts universe, while die-hard loyalists to the lovable comic strip might find seeing their favorite characters turn into dysfunctional teenagers a tad distressing, I found it to be an interesting approach to the issues the play focuses on. By putting topics such as teen suicide, gay bashing, depression, death, and grief in the Charlie Brown world, it makes such a harsh pill easier to swallow. "Dog Sees God" isn't depressing to watch, it's funny, and ultimately leaves you with a hopeful message.
The surprise for me came about half way when C.B. and Beethoven confront eachother for the first time, and I began to realize how richly textured this play was. It would've been so easy for playwright Bert V. Royal to make a satire oon the Peanuts gang as teenagers and just leave it at that, instead they are used as a springboard to dive into some real emotional territory. And it's not like The Peanuts have never been emotional at its very core, it is why I think the characters remain so beloved. Royal, stays true to the vision of Charles Schultz in a way by showing this character Charlie Brown going through life and realizing it isn't fair. It's also full of questions that aren't easy to answer, Charlie Brown is in fact, a philosopher, he ponders the big questions, about life and death, why bad things happen to good people, and he speaks for all of us, when he's trying desperately to understand.
The end of the play could be open for discussion, in a way C.B. doesn't find answers, but he finds comfort, perhaps what he receives is a sort of wish fulfillment we could all someday hope for. What it is, is reason to keep going through this life no matter what swings it takes at you.
The world today is rather depressing, it's worse when you're a teenager and you're just figuring this out for the first time, it's that gap between innocence, and the harsh realities that weigh so heavy in young lives. "Dog Sees God" captures that time when the world seems to hate you the most, and the best you can do is move forward.
Props also to the awesome Peanuts dance rendition which made me laugh harder than I have in a long time at the theatre, also the great ensemble of actors, I saw no bad performances here, they all stuck out, each one had their moment to shine and they made the most of it. The set was terrific, I loved the alternate take on the Charlie Brown theme song, it was just a great time at the theatre, I will not soon forget.
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