Hollywood Agent Tries Desperately to Keep Gay Leading Man in Closet!
Wasatch Theatre and Silver Summit Theatre Present Regional Premiere of ‘The Little Dog Laughed’
Wasatch Theatre continues their 17th season by partnering with Silver Summit Theatre for the Utah premiere of Douglas Carter Beane’s The Little Dog Laughed. Nominated for the 2007 Tony Award for Best Play and the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New York Theatre, Little Dog is a delectable lampooning of Hollywood’s perceptions and deceptions.
The players include a hard-driving Hollywood agent, her budding screen idol client, a sexy young drifter, and the drifter’s socialite girlfriend. The Little Dog Laughed follows the adventures of Mitchell Green, a movie star who could hit big if it weren’t for one teensy-weensy problem: his agent, Diane, can’t seem to keep him in the closet. Trying to help him navigate Hollywood’s choppy waters, the devilish Diane is doing all she can to keep Mitchell away from the cute rent boy who’s caught his eye and the rent boy’s girlfriend (yes, the rent boy has a girlfriend). The play explores what happiness looks like for these characters and the roadblocks that constrain and influence both their decisions and their identities.
“Although the show opened and played to rave reviews almost a decade ago, it has never been produced locally,” says one of the show’s producers, George Plautz. “With a heightened focus on sexuality and gender identity in the media right now, we feel like the themes are altogether relevant right here in 2015.” And Bean’s script stands the test of time. Director Brian Pilling offers: “When researching shows for this season, we came across a review of the Little Dog script that said ‘it sparkles,’ – and it really does. Every scene, every character, every moment feels funny and honest. It tackles some tough issues in a sharp, well-paced fashion that doesn’t feel heavy handed.”
Pilling points to a comment made by playwright Beane that summarizes the premise of the show: “It’s sort of the last taboo - which movie stars are gay? Because everyone sort of knows it, but no one talks about it. The last time I was in L.A. I mentioned this play to a movie producer. I said ‘it’s about a closeted movie star’ and [the producer] literally gasped as if I said it was about a mass murderer. He said ‘Oh no, oh no - don’t say that - don’t talk about that.'”
Wasatch and Silver Summit’s production features Camilla Edsberg as agent Diane, Aaron Kramer as actor Mitchell, Derek Gregerson as rent boy Alex, and Alyssa Franks as socialite Ellen. The play is directed by Brian Pilling, with Chloe Muse as stage manager. Kit Anderton serves as set designer, Danny Dunn as light designer, and Linda Eyring as costume designer.
The Little Dog Laughed opens Thursday, April 30 and runs Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. at the Rose Wagner Studio Theatre (138 West 300 South) until Saturday, May 16. Saturdaymatinees are May 9 and 16 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for all performances are $15.00 at www.arttix.org or by calling 801-355-2787. Visit www.wasatchtheatre.org for more information. The play included adult themes and is intended for mature audiences.
Some words about The Little Dog Laughed:
“Theatergoers have cause to rejoice. Devastatingly funny, with dizzy, irresistible writing that brings down the house.” —NY Times.
“A fun evening, full of wit and wisdom.” —NY Post.
“Big fun and an out-and-out delight…Don’t be surprised after seeing it that you giggle in your dreams.” —NY Daily News.
“Audiences no doubt will be tickled by the satire’s risqué humor and hint of topicality…Clever and funny quick-witted dialogue.” —Variety.
“A laugh-out-loud lampoon of Hollywood humbuggery…Tremendously funny.” —Star-Ledger.
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