A Dog Story, A New Musical

Production History

CREATING CUPID

Eric and Gayla decided to write A Dog Story after a chance reunion on the Key West waterfront while Gayla was walking her Maltese, Aria. Eric and then-fiancé Steve were having dinner waterside, recognized Gayla, and mentioned their dream of someday having a home in Key West. Gayla, who had moved from NYC 2 years earlier, encouraged them to move sooner than later...and they did, the following year, with their Miniature Pinscher, Maya. That's when Gayla and Eric, who had originally met as theater writers in NYC, began collaborating on a musical about their shared passion for dogs!

And Cupid was born.

PRODUCTIONS

A Dog Story ran Off Broadway for eleven weeks in 2016–17, receiving rave reviews (see our Reviews page) and playing to delighted audiences. The production, at The Loft at the Davenport Theatre on W. 45th Street, was directed by Justin Baldridge and starred David Perlman as Roland, Lindsie VanWinkle as Miranda, Brian Ray Norris as Guy, and Stefanie Brown as Blair, with swings Chris Blem (Roland/Guy) and Alex Kidder (Miranda/Blair). It featured a 3-piece band led by music director Dylan MarcAurele playing orchestrations by Frank Galgano and Matt Castle; an innovative and critically applauded set by Lauren Mills; lighting by Jamie Roderick; costumes by Travis Chinick; choreography by Shannon Lewis; and sound design by Tyler Kieffer. The production was stage managed by Marjorie Ann Wood, who was assisted by Miriam Hyfler, with Ying-Ying Zhang running sound. Scott Carlton and Carolyn Gargano designed the show's logo. The production at The Loft was produced by Seaglass Theatrical with co-producers Waterfront Theatrics and Martha Robinson. Ken Davenport was Executive Producer, and Ryan Conway of DTE Theatricals served as General Manager, assisted by Rachel Esman. See our Cupid's Off-Broadway Run page for cast/creative bios and headshots, and for production pictures.

The show premiered in May 2014 at the Waterfront Playhouse in Key West, FL, for a 3-week run of near sold-out houses and rave reviews. The original roles were created by David Perlman as Roland, Kristen Michelle as Miranda, Trey Forsyth as Guy, and Stephanie Sander as Blair. The Key West production was directed by Frank Galgano, who contributed significantly to the dramaturgical development of the show, as did the Waterfront's Artistic Director, Danny Weathers. Others on the Key West creative team and staff included Trish Manley, stage manager; Charles Lindberg, keyboard; Tim McAlpine, guitars; Mark Rose, woodwinds; Michael Boyer, scenic design; Penny Leto, choreography; and Carmen Rodriguez, costumes. The orchestrations for the Key West production were created by Matt Castle and Frank Galgano, who also orchestrated the NYC production.

For a list of other productions of A DOG STORY, click on "Productions" in the menu.

STAGED READINGS

In 2016, an Equity staged reading was produced in NYC, directed by Danny Goldstein (Company, Broadway), who contributed extensive dramaturgical advice and commentary that led the show further on its journey. The NYC reading was music directed by Emily Marshall, and featured David Perlman as Roland, Cortney Wolfson as Miranda, Greg Hildreth as Guy, and Jeanna de Waal as Blair, stage managed by Laura Nelson.

In 2013, an Equity staged reading was produced in Key West with music director Matt Castle and the same actors and director as the 2014 production that followed, stage managed by J.B. McLendon.

TABLE READS

Two table reads in Key West and two in NYC contributed to numerous improvements in the arc and scope of the show. Those table reads - on the covered deck of a home in Key West, on the Waterfront stage, in a rented rehearsal studio in midtown Manhattan, and in a private apartment in the West Village - involved the following gifted, generous actors (in order of involvement): Bob Bowersox, Michael A. Aaglan, Laurie Breakwell, Annie Miners, David Perlman, Allison Case, Jason Sweettooth Williams, Jenni Barber, and Maureen Taylor, as well as stage managers Trish Manley and Jenny Gorelick.

CAST ALBUM AND DEMO RECORDINGS

In December 2016, the cast and band of the NYC production gathered at John Kilgore Studios on Ninth Avenue and recorded the original cast album in only 6 hours! The album was officially released on January 20, 2017 and is distributed by Broadway Records. Click here to order the CD!

From 2012–2016, several demo recordings made it possible for us to introduce Cupid's story, not just in print but in sound, to anyone we hoped to involve in the show who wasn't already familiar with it. Frank Galgano and Matt Castle, respectively, engineered and music-directed each demo, and also sang, as did Vivienne Cleary, Gina Milo, and Kristen Michelle.

SPECIAL THANKS

Eric and Gayla also gratefully acknowledge the dramaturgical contributions of Ken Davenport, who has believed in the show since first reading it in 2015, and who has  backed up that belief with his support, suggestions, and enthusiasm.