00:00So based on the worldwide best-selling book series by Dave Pilkey, Dog Man, the musical
00:07is finally back at the Kirk Douglas Theater. I am so excited to see this. It's from September
00:1215th to October 18th. And the best part is it's good for every age. I mean, how many
00:18musicals can you say that about? Because, you know, the creator of this show is, of
00:26course, Dave Pilkey. And if that name sounds familiar, it should, because if you have kids
00:30or nieces or nephews or know any kids, you've probably read them one of his books, including
00:36Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club. And of course, Dog Man. Dog Man, that book has
00:44sold more than 50 million copies to date, and it's translated in 42 languages. And yes, it's
00:49been made into a movie. So joining us today, a long way to get to that. Sorry, Zach, is
00:55the lead, Zach Abbey. So good to meet you. It's a pleasure to meet you, Maggie. Okay.
01:01So for people who don't know about Dog Man, you are playing the lead. Tell us about the
01:08story and your role. Yeah. So Dog Man, there's a lot going on in Dog Man, but the general gist
01:15of what this show involves is a man and his dog, a cop and his dog, getting blown up by
01:23their
01:23evil nemesis, Petey, and becoming part dog, part man, all hero. And that involves a cop
01:29body and a dog head. And from there, they go on crazy adventures that involve fighting
01:36villains that might be cats or fish or people to having a good time. And truly, through some
01:43of that, there are some incredible, incredible heartfelt moments that can really bring people
01:49to tears. Speaking of, I've heard it described as funny, goofy, energetic, heartfelt. It sounds
01:57like it runs the whole gamut, which is always fun, I think, in a musical because you don't
02:01want to just be laughing the whole time or crying the whole time. You want to be taken
02:05up and down, like, you know, on a roller coaster. So how excited were you when you got this role?
02:10I know you're no, you know, stranger to lead roles, but were you excited about this one?
02:17Very excited. I've actually been with the show for the last two years as a swing for Dog Man
02:23and Petey. And to get the opportunity to don the hat, ears and nose full time was truly a
02:30dream come true. I was super ecstatic and super excited to bring that every opportunity that
02:36I get to all the kids and families out there. Are there any challenges to playing this role?
02:42Oh, absolutely. It's a very physical role. And on top of that, like, a lot of times in theater,
02:50you know, you hear about clown and you hear about miming and different things like that. But this
02:54is a role that you have to take it serious. I mean, that's the the utmost important part of any
02:59of
02:59those physical parts of theater. You need to be serious and honest in the storytelling. But
03:04specifically for Dog Man, not being able to speak any dialogue and having to focus on barking and
03:10telling your story through the physicality and the whimpers and things like that is is an extreme
03:15challenge. But staying grounded and reminding yourself that even though he's a dog, he still
03:22wants to be told good boy, he still wants to do the right thing. He still wants to earn happiness,
03:28earn joy. He wants to live in the glory that any of us want to. And so his reality in
03:35a very different
03:36way is very similar to us as full-fledged human beings.
03:41Have you had a chance to meet Dave, the creator?
03:45I have. Yes. I met him very briefly a year ago doing an event that we did for the show.
03:50We were
03:51trying to break a Guinness World Record. And he came. He's such a such an awesome man. He cares so
03:57much,
03:57not only about the show and the people that are a part of it, but also all of the children
04:01and all
04:01of the families that come to see the show. We got to watch him do this event with the kids
04:07where he
04:08talked about his life and the things that he struggled with growing up and how that evolved
04:13into the stories that he writes and tells today. And watching him draw out these characters that have
04:18meant so much to generations of people, myself included, was incredible. And to watch the kids be
04:25able to interact with him live while he's doing these drawings and hear about his story and learn
04:30just little bits was super cool. Wow. I bet. You know, he said that the musical has surpassed
04:38all his expectations. And he said it's beyond memorable and that you guys captured the hearts
04:44of the entire audience, young, old, doesn't matter who they were. Because, you know, I guess he was
04:50in the audience and he looked around. Is it accurate that he wrote it in the fifth grade or is
04:58that one of his characters? Well, so I can't speak on the specifics of when he wrote all of these
05:04things, but a lot of these characters were characters that he grew up writing and making
05:12in his youth. You know, he, again, I don't know him super well, that specifically, but we've talked
05:19about stories and we've heard a lot of things about him. And he was a kid that battled with ADHD
05:23and things like that. And back, you know, when he was growing up, it wasn't very, it wasn't a very
05:28well-known thing. And he would get in a lot of trouble. And one of the main things that we've
05:33been
05:34told while going through character work is that he felt like he was a bad kid because he was in
05:38trouble
05:38for so many of those things. And in that time, while he was in the hallway or in detention or
05:43whatever you say, he was drawing these characters and trying to find an outlet for all those feelings
05:48that he had inside to the point that he has even described Petey as himself and little Petey as his
05:55mom, because his mom brought that joy and that happiness to his life by reminding him he's not a
06:02problem. He's not a bad kid. He is just who he is. And that's okay. And so that has always
06:09meant
06:09so much to me hearing. And I'm sure so many other people that have heard that story, whether it's
06:14from him or from a secondhand source, it means so much because look at what it did. Look at what
06:19it
06:19made. These incredible characters that have so much depth and so much passion behind them and their
06:25stories. It comes from this little kid who just wanted to be a good guy and wanted to be happy.
06:32Can you imagine that? I mean, no wonder it's so relatable because it's from the heart and he
06:37lived it. And just think how many kids are just like him all through these years who have been
06:43reading it, who are like, oh, that's like me. You know, that's got to be so rewarding. What is your
06:51favorite part about playing this role?
06:55I think my favorite part is the cheers. Truly, and maybe it's not specifically about the role,
07:02but like the kids in the audience have a blast during the show, whether it's saying lines with
07:09Lil Petey because they're repeated lines. There's one line that Lil Petey goes, why? Why? And the kids
07:14love to mimic that. So they'll yell that in the middle of the show or a couple scenes where not
07:19to spoil
07:20anything, but some light work, a little disco ball, and some fun dancing on stage really gets
07:26people up out of their seats and dancing. And even though it's not specifically related to my
07:30character, seeing the joy exude from them and feeling that energy on stage is easily the best
07:36part of this.
07:36Oh, I bet. So they'll be, expect a lot of squeals of joy.
07:42Oh yes, absolutely.
07:44Sounds right up my alley. I mean, of all times we could use a happy, fun, relatable, touching
07:51musical. If you ask me.
07:52I couldn't agree with you more.
07:54Yeah. Especially losing Dolly.
07:56Oh, yeah.
07:58And then Tim right after.
08:00I know I goes on and on. There was someone else.
08:03Okay. So if people want to get tickets, they can go to centertheatergroup.org. And again,
08:09the dates are September 15th to October 18th. And is there anything else you'd like to add
08:16about the show that you want people to know or anything?
08:20Honestly, just be ready to have a good time. One of the big things is a lot of parents come
08:25and they kind of leave themselves at the door and just think, oh, we're going to be here
08:30for a kid's show for the next hour and a half, give or take. But be in it. Live in
08:34that moment.
08:35Share that experience with your kids. There is some incredible stories and story arcs in
08:41this show that relate directly to parents and their children. And I can't tell you how many
08:46times I have heard a parent be like, I am so glad that I was a part of this show
08:51and watch the show
08:52because it means so much to me. So don't miss out on that opportunity. The kids love it. And
08:57that's going to be awesome for you to see your kid enjoy it, but enjoy it with them.
09:00And what do you hope audiences leave with what kind of feeling or memory?
09:06Just leave the theater happy. It's live theater. You know, you don't get many opportunities to see
09:11it in a show that brings nothing but excitement and joy and high energy. Take that, take that energy
09:17and hold it tight. Like you said, in the world right now is a little chaotic and it's a little
09:22crazy
09:22and there's so many ups and downs. But the one thing that will always be there is live theater
09:27and the energy that that brings. So really relish that.
09:30Absolutely. Thank you so much, Zach Abbey, lead in Dogman, playing at the Kirk Douglas
09:36Theater in Culver City. A great space, by the way. Thank you so much for your time. And I really
09:41look forward to seeing it. Thank you, Maggie. It was a pleasure.
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