We’d heard that a touring company had been trying out a musical production of the classic DODI SMITH book 101 DALMATIONS but couldn’t sniff out many details. Well, our pals over at BROADWAY/L.A. just sent out the following press release that seems to have the straight poop:

101 DALMATIANS
Jun 8-20, 2010

The Pantages is the “spot” for the Los Angeles premiere of the brand new stage musical 101 DALMATIANS, based on the beloved book written by Dodi Smith and featuring a lively contemporary score by Dennis DeYoung, the keyboardist, songwriter and founding member of the rock group Styx. 

A musical experience for the entire family – about what it means to be a family – 101 DALMATIANS is directed by Broadway legend Jerry Zaks, and features a book by B.T. McNicholl.  Pongo and Mrs. Pongo are loving the good life in London with their “pets” Roger and Anita. When their 15 puppies are “dognapped” by the villainous Cruella de Vil, they summon the help of the dog network, and set off by the “Twilight Bark,” they set off to rescue their pups. There’s a happy ending for all with laughter, mayhem and music along the way.

In keeping with the spirit of the original story, the stage musical production promises a quirky, upside-down view of the world, where the audience is allowed to see life from a dog’s point of view.  Embracing this proposition, theatergoers are transported to an exciting and altogether fantastic reality that gives grand license for song, dance and spectacle.  In keeping with this vision, the creators of 101 DALMATIANS will present humans in a heightened form of dress and scale so as to appear larger than life, and the actors who play the animals will thus seem more human than their humans.

Dennis DeYoung has penned three number one records and nine top ten singles.  His song, “Babe,” won the People’s Choice Award for Best New Song.  His music has appeared in 15 major motion pictures and more than 25 television shows, ranging from E.R. to South Park.  In 2008, his musical The Hunchback of Notre Dame won Chicago’s prestigious Jefferson Award for Best Musical. 

Jerry Zaks has received four Tony® Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, two Outer Critics Circle Awards, and an Obie.  Having directed more than 30 productions in New York, among his Broadway credits are Guys and Dolls, Six Degrees of Separation, Smokey Joe’s Café, House of Blue Leaves, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and La Cage Aux Folles. 

Over his 15 years on Broadway, B.T. McNicholl is proud to have been on the creative teams of such landmark hits as Cabaret, Monty Python’s Spamalot and Billy Elliot.  He is a BMI Award-winning librettist, whose work includes the critically acclaimed musical The It Girl.  With Stephen Sondheim, McNicholl adapted the book of A Little Night Music for the concert stage.

What would 101 DALMATIANS be without, well, Dalmatians?  Professional animal trainer Joel Slaven is on the team to create what promises to be a one-of-a-kind stage finale that will leave everyone cheering.  Slaven has over 30 years experience working with animals.  His production work includes training animals for Ace Ventura Pet Detective, That Darn Cat and Rain Maker.