(Cover Photo: The CAST of the musical "DOGFIGHT" presented by Worcester County Light Opera Company in Worcester, MA. through October 27, 2024. Photo Credit: Amy Mae Photography)

By Kevin T. Baldwin

METRMAG Reviewer

# 774-242-6724

“Where's your bark? Let's see your bite. You learn to bite at the dogfight.”

       - ("Marcy") / Peter Duchan, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Worcester Count Light Opera Company

Presents the Musical

"DOGFIGHT"

Book by Peter Duchan

Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Based on the Warner Brothers Film and Screenplay by Bob Comfort

Directed by Eric Butler

Music Director Lenny McGuire

Choreographer Kaitlyn Ekstrom-Doig

Cast Includes: Adam DeCoste as “Factor,” Brennan Garcia Hilger as “Boland,” Jess Guertin as “Rose Fenny,” Jessica Kennis as “Peggy/Suzette/Ensemble,” Vic Kruczynski as “Pete/Sergeant/Drag Queen/Lounge Singer/Waiter/Big Tony,” Kathryn Lazar as “Chippy/Steven’s Date/Ensemble,” Linnea Lyerly as “Mama,” Abby McIsaac as “Ruth/Ensemble,” Alex McLaughlin as “Eddie Birdlace,” Paige Naumnik as “Librarian/Gibb’s Date/Ensemble,” Shaun Ormond as “Stevens,” Rachel Savage as “Marcy,” Michael Sheehan as “Bernstein,” Ryan Sullivan as “Gibbs”

Additional Creative Team:

Vocal Director – Linnea Lyerly; Set Design – Ed Savage; Lighting/Projection Design – Matt Wasser; Costume Design – Martha Deering; Sound Design – Janel Milner, Vic Kruczynski; Assistant Director – Liza Goodman; Costume Assistants – Andrea Davulis, Emily Mercier; Producers – Robin Shropshire, Chuck Grigaitis

Performances: 

October 18, 2024 through October 27, 2024

(Contact Box Office for Exact Times)  

WORCESTER COUNTY LIGHT OPERA COMPANY (WCLOC), Grandview Ave. Playhouse, 21 Grandview Avenue, Worcester, MA.

TICKETS: 

508-753-4383 or visit admin@wcloc.org

BUY TICKETS

COVID 19 PROTOCOLS

Contact Venue for Most Updated COVID-19 Safety Protocols and Information.

Worcester County Light Opera Company (WCLOC) presents the touching and poignant musical "DOGFIGHT" containing a dynamic score from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and a book by Peter Duchan. 

Based on the 1991 film of the same name, the musical adaptation of "DOGFIGHT" has built up quite a cult following since its 2012 debut.  

In September, 2024, Pasek and Paul, most notably of “Dear Evan Hansen” fame, became members of the esteemed “EGOT Club” for winners of the four prestigious Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards. 

Their musical adaptation of "DOGFIGHT" made its musical debut Off-Broadway in 2012, followed by a London premiere in 2014. 

The all-too-limited Off-Broadway run ended after only 23 previews and 40 regular performances. 

Since then, it has had numerous revivals all over the world and has developed a strong cult following. 

With the most recent WCLOC staging in Worcester, it is easy to see why. 

"DOGFIGHT" is truly a touching, wonderful story with some great songs. 

Similar to other musical adaptations of movies such as “Spitfire Grill” or “Once,” "DOGFIGHT" is backed by a story that is seems “quiet” at first and yet - deceptively and quickly – it soon speaks about higher concepts and at full volume. 

In 1967, U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant Eddie Birdlace (Alex McLaughlin), has just returned from Vietnam and is riding on a bus heading for San Francisco. 

As Eddie travels, we are instantly transported back in time to 1963 when Eddie met shy, unassuming waitress Rose Fenny (Jess Guertin). 

Private First Class Eddie and his platoon are getting ready to deploy to Vietnam (by way of Okinawa) and are spending their last night in San Francisco. 

McLaughlin is probably one of the BEST reasons to see this show – as he gives a masterful performance as the crude, occasionally obnoxious but otherwise straight-as-they-come Eddie. 

In the song, "Some Kinda Time" Birdlace recalls the night and of his memories of his two best friends, Boland (Brennan Garcia Hilger) and Bernstein (Michael Sheehan). 

The three soldiers refer to themselves as the “Three Bees” in the aptly titled song, "We Three Bees." 

As Boland and Bernstein, respectively, Hilger and Sheehan give formidable supporting performances, complimenting well McLaughlin’s Birdlace character, showing them as three sides of a bonded triumvirate with a future yet to be decided (but soon will be). 

One thing is made clear from the outset, though - Should these soldiers return from active overseas duty in Vietnam, like so many others who came back, they will never be the same as they are now during this moment in time. 

(Photo: Members of the CAST of the musical "DOGFIGHT" presented by Worcester County Light Opera Company in Worcester, MA. through October 27, 2024. Photo Credit: Amy Mae Photography)

The trio and other members of the furloughed soldiers (Adam DeCoste as “Fector,” Shaun Ormond as “Stevens” and Ryan Sullivan as “Gibbs”) are organizing a despicable contest known as the "DOGFIGHT," where the men pool their money then go out seeking ugly dates for a party. 

DeCoste, Ormond and Sullivan effectively augment the established trio played by McLaughlin, Sheehan and Hilger and all have signed on for this reprehensible contest whereby the soldier who brings the ugliest date to the party wins the money in the pot. 

In the hilarious song "Hey Good-Lookin’" we watch as these men wander about San Francisco, striking out at nearly every turn until they each find an unwitting “contestant.” 

Birdlace ends up in a diner where he meets shy waitress Rose as she is on break and playing her guitar. 

Through the number "Come to a Party" Eddie flirts with Rose and convinces her to be his date for the party. 

In quite possibly one of the most familiar songs from the musical, "Nothing Short of Wonderful," Rose searches for the perfect outfit to wear, greatly anticipating her first date with Eddie and going to the party. 

Jess Guertin gives an engaging, sensitive portrayal of Rose, whose character is a young woman "balanced" between her knowledge of social awareness and a great naivete and innocence. 

Linnea Lyerly does a splendid job as Rose’s mother, Mama, but unfortunately the character itself is rather limited. 

If the role itself had been expanded upon by the writers, it would have provided us with a nice added dimension, especially during the show’s second act. 

(Photo: Alex McLaughlin as "Eddie Birdlace" in a scene from the musical "DOGFIGHT" presented by Worcester County Light Opera Company in Worcester, MA. through October 27, 2024. Photo Credit: Amy Mae Photography)

Meanwhile, the rest of Eddie’s buddies find their dates. Boland breaks the rules of the "DOGFIGHT" by enlisting a “ringer” named Marcy (Rachel Savage), a raucous prostitute who coerces Boland into splitting the pot with her. 

Savage is a riot as the crude but street-smart Marcy who knows both who and what she is and totally has Boland’s number from the start. 

Soon, Birdlace realizes he has an honest affection for Rose and soon regrets inviting her to the party. 

However, it is too late as the contest soon begins once they arrive at the party and things become clearer during the fateful song "That Face.” 

Many of the repercussions that occur once the intent of the "DOGFIGHT" is revealed contain heartbreak and regret, mostly between Rose and Eddie, who obviously feel a connection. 

The relationship between the WCLOC actors McLaughlin and Guertin feels genuine and makes the “spark” of affection and attraction felt between Eddie and Rose also come across as sincere. 

The members of the WCLOC ensemble performing in multiple roles – most notably Paige Naumnik, Abby McIsaac, Kathryn Lazar, Jessica Kennis - and most prominently the comedically diverse Vic Kruczynski – all deserve commendations for their efforts, especially considering the multitude of quick costume changes required throughout the show. 

(Photo: Jess Guertin as "Rose Fenny" in a scene from the musical "DOGFIGHT" presented by Worcester County Light Opera Company in Worcester, MA. through October 27, 2024. Photo Credit: Amy Mae Photography)

There were some vocal pitchy moments during some of the ensemble numbers at the October 19^th WCLOC performance but those moments were few and quickly forgiven given the overall excellence of the performances. 

Staging by WCLOC director Eric Butler with choreography by Kaitlyn Ekstrom-Doig was not only effective but was able to both capture and accentuate some of the more poignant moments that occur, especially during the show’s second act. 

With the audience seated along three sides and even up on either side of stage, many WCLOC “veterans” will notice the distinctively different configuration of seating.

The configuration allows the audience to be totally immersed in the actions as they happen, almost giving us the feeling we are on this journey with these soldiers and those they “enlist” into this story. 

The set appears deceptively minimal but is, in actuality, a marvelous construct allowing scenes to flow seamlessly and keeping the first-class musicians in the band (conducted by WCLOC Music Director Lenny McGuire) along the back wall of the stage. 

(Photo: Members of the CAST of the musical "DOGFIGHT" presented by Worcester County Light Opera Company in Worcester, MA. through October 27, 2024. Photo Credit: Amy Mae Photography)

It should be noted there is one intense scene of staged combat which some may find intense or even triggering but it has been expertly staged by the creative team and executed well by the talented cast.

"DOGFIGHT" continues at Worcester County Light Opera Company until October 27th and it is for certain you do not want to miss this show before it ships out.

Coming up next at at WCLOC will be the Christopher Durang comedy "MRS. BOB CRATCHIT'S WILD CHRISTMAS BINGE" beginning December 6th, 2024.

For more information or tickets, call # 508-753-4383 or visit admin@wcloc.org.

BUY TICKETS

Approximately two hours, 20 minutes with one intermission.

Kevin T. Baldwin is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association (ATCA)

@MetrmagReviews

@Theatre_Critics

ABOUT THE SHOW

In 1967, Eddie Birdlace returns from the Vietnam War. He is going back to San Francisco, where he spent his last night in the United States before shipping out. 

His memories of that night flood back: It is November 21, 1963, and Eddie and his best friends Boland and Bernstein ("The Three Bees") decide to spend their last night before deployment in a "DOGFIGHT": who can find the ugliest girl in town and bring her to a party where she will be judged? 

The marines enthusiastically jump into the cruel contest. 

But when Eddie finally finds Rose Fenny, an awkward waitress who has never been on a date, he has a change of heart. 

She learns about the "DOGFIGHT" but is determined to not let it define her as an ugly and pathetic girl, and her optimism has a profound effect on Eddie’s worldview. 

Adapted from a 1991 film of the same name, "DOGFIGHT" is a statement about the military culture of the 1960s and the inevitable realization that no one is invincible. 

But even with this knowledge, it is possible for each person to have a profound and positive impact on the world around them. (STAGEAGENT)

ABOUT WORCESTER COUNTY LIGHT OPERA COMPANY (WCLOC)

Founded in 1937, WCLOC is Worcester’s oldest active theater company. As a local, non-profit community theater, we depend on the generosity of our members, patrons, subscribers, and donors to help forward the mission of our organization to entertain, inform, and nurture local artists and audiences through the production of high quality, affordable musicals, plays, and children’s educational workshops. A donation to WCLOC allows us to continue to keep tickets affordable for local audiences, helps us maintain and make necessary improvements to our Clubhouse, and supports a full season of memorable theater and educational opportunities.

WORCESTER COUNTY LIGHT OPERA COMPANY

P.O. Box # 51

Worcester, MA. 01613

508-753-4383

admin@wcloc.org