The Little Dog Did Indeed Laugh

Went last night to see The Little Dog Laughed - a recent off-broadway play that won acclaim and moved itself onto the Great White Way. The story follows the adventures of an aspiring movie star as he tried to come to grips with his homosexuality through the help of a male prostitute and his amoral agent.

The performances from 3 of the 4 cast members were very top notch. Julie White stole the show as the agent (delivering many of the most comedic moments in the show) and will undoubtedly be nominated for a Tony Award. Johnny Galecki, who originated the role of the rent-boy off-broadway, shows that he can act with the big boys on a Broadway stage. I loved Ari Graynor as the rent-boy's on-again/off-again girlfriend. I recently had seen her in the off-Broadway Dog Sees God and thought she was great in that as well - she's very comedic and I think she has a good career ahead of her - especially on the stage. The only disappointment to the show was Tom Everett Scott as the movie star. He didn't seem to have the sensibility of a straight actor playing a gay character. Also, there was no sexual tension at all between himself and Galecki, more on his part. Had this role been better cast, I think the show would've been even stronger than it already is.

I have to admit, at times it was a bit too hokey/Brokeback Mountain for me. However, it was refreshing to see such a hip modern play on Broadway. The sets and lighting we great. Many of the jokes, both the one liners and the big-builders, were extremely timely and much of the script was very smartly written. Plus they threw in a little gratuitous full frontal from Galecki and Scott which made it all the more scandalous.

In the end I give this one a thumbs up. If you're looking for something to see on Broadway and aren't into the musical stuff this one may be for you!