Dogfight
Opening Night: July 16, 2012
Closing: August 19, 2012
Theater: Second Stage Theatre
It’s 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 he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion. Two-time Tony® Award winner Joe Mantello (Wicked, Other Desert Cities, Assassins) directs this world premiere musical.
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July 16, 2012
For a show with a snarling title, “Dogfight” is surprisingly docile. This intimate, carefully tended new musical, which opened on Monday night at Second Stage Theater, takes on some of the nastier aspects of rowdy young servicemen stewing in testosterone, including a woman-humiliating ritual that gives the work its name.
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July 16, 2012
Of all the movies out there, the indie "Dogfight" seems an unlikely source for a musical. For one, it’s a moody character study. For another, it’s about a mean-spirited prank that leads to an awkward first date.
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July 16, 2012
Nancy Savoca’s underappreciated 1991 film Dogfight was an imperfect but poignant romance distinguished by achingly tender performances from Lili Taylor and River Phoenix. With help from ace director Joe Mantello (Wicked, Other Desert Cities) and a talented cast, the young writers have crafted a touching small-scale musical that mirrors many of the movie’s minor-key virtues. Further workshops or perhaps a regional production might be useful to smooth some nagging flaws, particularly in the uneven second act. But the potential is there.
READ THE REVIEWJuly 16, 2012
If I were a religious man, I’d have gotten down on my knees and offered a prayer of heavenly thanks after seeing the wholly wonderful new musical "Dogfight." As I’m not, that fervent thank-you goes instead to songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, book writer Peter Duchan, choreographer Christopher Gattelli, director Joe Mantello, and Second Stage Theatre. "Dogfight" is superbly crafted, gratifyingly intelligent, richly observant, and immensely enjoyable. This is musical theater at its finest.
READ THE REVIEWJuly 16, 2012
It’s her first date and his last night before leaving for Vietnam. It’s also 1963 and, for fun, a gaggle of baby Marines bets who can bring the ugliest girl to their last party before setting out to become American heroes. Or so they think.
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