"Rozetta Stone" is earnestly played by Karen Vance, on a trek to perform in a mythical “China” with her “Dog” (Greg Hunter) who is eloquent and engaging and “a good boy." Vera Similitude (Kristy Allen) appears with her fast-talking “Jo Jo the Bald Face Liar” (Kathryn Stahl). They team up with various profundities and back-stories, threatened by thunderous, sudden season changes, and hunted by “Coke and Bud” (Curran Jacobs and Matt Greenbaum) two violent, futuristic ruffians who speak a sort of devolved, F-word-peppered Shakespearean dialect. The acrobatics, fight choreography and songs (loved Dog's little can-drum) were imaginative and well done.
Costumes/Hair/Makeup were impressive (Jenna Light) as were scenic design and props (Ray Kelley) and lighting (Freddy Pascolinei) and Sound (Griffin Irish) combined for earth-shaking effect.
This 2 hour 50 minute extravaganza is a lot to absorb at first viewing; I’d recommend googling some reviews/descriptions to prepare yourself. The “evolved” language is fascinating but sometimes hard to understand. It would be interesting to read this script to inspect the quirky language. Don’t ask me to explain “The Wendy” - I did see the burger chain logo in the gypsy cart - but other references reminded me of Peter Pan…?
Dog Act continues through this weekend
http://theatre.msu.edu/#event|dog-act-5|1157