Main Street Theatre Company presents Dogfight: The Musical across two weekends from October 7-15, 2023 at the Temple Beth Ohr in Old Bridge. The play takes place November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys' night of debauchery, partying and maybe a little trouble. But, when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress whom he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of love and compassion.
The production is directed by Khy Garner, musically directed by A.J. Meeker, choreographed by Alyson Pemoulie Halter, stage managed by Nicole Mory, and produced by Tom Fritzen. Pasek & Paul’s musical is performed by a cast of 16, with Nick Buonvicino leading as Eddie Birdlace and Colleen Gilgan as Rose Fenny.
The cast includes Nick Buonvicino (Eddie Birdlace), Colleen Gilgan (Rose Fenny), Kevin Albanese (Boland), Mark Edelstein (Bernstein), Patrick Napurano (Fector), Tommy Fulbrook (Stevens), Robert Gunther (Gibb), Jess Peirce (Marcy), Steven Leshchanka (Lounge Singer/Pete, et al), Colleen Fritzen (Mama), and Alissa Valiante (Ruth Two Bears). The Ensemble includes Brittany Ahr, Danielle Balsamo, Morgan Hope, Jessica Junqua, and Jessica Musolino.
Dogfight is filled with impressive songs, an unexpected love affair and genuine and charming soul (MTI Licensing), and is sure to pull on the audience’s heartstrings throughout the show. You can see DOGFIGHT on October 7 and 14 at 8:00pm, and October 8 and 15 at 3:00pm at the Temple Beth Ohr on rt 516 in Old Bridge (70 CR-516, Old Bridge, NJ 08857). Tickets are $22 for adults, $18 for children, and $20 for students and seniors online. Tickets purchased at the door will be $24 for adults, $20 for children, and $22 for seniors and students. For more information, head to mstcob.org. Disclaimer: Dogfight contains use of gun props, war sound effects, strobe language, strong language and mature content–recommended for 15 and over.
Dogfight is a musical adaptation of the 1991 film of the same name, which starred River Phoenix and Lili Taylor. Bookwriter, Peter Duchan, always held a soft spot for the lesser-known film and felt that the characters were worth exploring further. He reached out to childhood friend, Justin Paul, who then joined the project with his writing partner, Benj Pasekj. The musical received a Richard Rodgers Award for Musical Theater in 2011, an award that enables new composers and playwrights to produce new musicals by providing financial support. With help from that recognition, the musical was picked up by the reputable Second Stage Theatre Company. (MTI Licensing)
Dogfight debuted off-Broadway at the Second Stage Theatre Company in New York City on June 27, 2012. The production was directed by Tony Award winner, Joe Mantello. It ran until August 19, 2012. Pace University staged the first production following the off-Broadway premiere, running from October 2–9, 2013. (MTI Licensing)
Dogfight is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI
Main Street Theatre Company was founded over 25 years ago by a group of Sayreville High School graduates who shared a common vision of bringing high quality community theater to the greater Middlesex Community. The group has performed hundreds of theatrical productions between full scale plays and musicals, 45 KidWorks Theatre for Children productions, 6 original works, as well as 3 NJ “premiere” productions. Upcoming productions include A Christmas Carol: The Musical in December.
