Well, WOW, I am glad we came to experience this powerful new show that was MUCH more than standing and singing. Director Marshall Pallett has brought Ryan Scott Oliver’s dark, complicated and triumphant script to life with imaginative staging/blocking, creating a world with only a few trunks, a casket, some suitcases, and creative lighting effects. Yes, there were scripts in hand, but much was also memorized — and the scripts sometimes served as props and did not distract. Dave Wendelberger’s six person orchestra was excellent.
This script is “in development” —hoping to make it to Broadway — and this is its most fully staged production yet. MSU folks helped change/tweak/develop/improve this new work. High School students held their own with talented MSU students delivering a LOT of new music in this “sung through” musical.
As one would expect, Broadway professionals Katie Thompson and Wade McCollum were outstanding in layered, intriguing roles, and MSU senior BFA Nicole Tini matched their star power, passion and singing voice as heroine Willa, becoming a “fox” instead of a “dog” — which seems to be the explanation of the title…. outfoxing her complex/challenging abusers, following her “map of scars.”
Be sure to check out the author’s note in the program by author/composer/lyricist Ryan Scott Oliver, explaining how this show was inspired by events in his own family history.
There’s only ONE SHOW LEFT in this 2-show run - so get to Wharton’s Pasant theatre Sunday afternoon, September 24, 2017 at 2:00pmAppropriate for ages 13 and up. $18.50/$13.50 students.
Tickets are available from the Wharton Center Box Office, 1.800.WHARTON, http://whartoncenter.com