Review of Go Dog, Go! at Adventure Theatre
by Margo Osborne
January 21, 2008

7300 MacArthur Boulevard
Glen Echo, MD 20812
301.634.2270
Google Map

Run, Kids. Run!
Run, Kids. Run!
To Adventure Theatre to have some fun!

Run, Parents. Run!
Run, Parents. Run!
It’s a show about dogs that’s really well done!

Our Kids (OK) highly recommends Adventure Theatre’s performance of Go, Dog. Go! Readers may recall a less than enthusiastic OK review of AT's Winnie-the-Pooh. This performance is not even in the same ballpark or circus tent rather! The backdrop, which is a vibrant green, white and orange circus tent, sets the stage for outstanding acting, singing, and simply a great adaptation of P.D. Eastman’s book by the same name.

This performance is part of Adventure Theatre’s literary series, Read the Book, See the Play, which includes adaptations from seven popular children’s books. Up next will be The Stinky Cheese Man in March and April.

For parents who are not familiar with Eastman’s book, it is a 1961 beginning reader book about dogs. The book’s plot consists of simple physical descriptions of dogs and their silly activities. The performance mirrors the book incredibly well, but then cranks up the volume and creativity a notch!

For example, the opening scene consists of the MC Dog leading the other dogs and audience in a hilarious and fun rap version of Eastman’s text about big, little, black, and white dogs. Think: “If I say big dog, you say little dog. If I say black dog, you say white dog.” It was a blast for the kids and parents, and a genius way to start the show.

All of the actors depicting the dogs are incredible performers, but MC Dog/Alex Perez was a true standout with his audience engaging skills and pure stamina. The show was only 45 minutes in length, but it is non-stop, action-packed, and tail-wagging entertainment. Because of its ability to really draw youngsters in to the circus tent, OK recommends this show for ages two years and up despite Adventure Theatre’s three years of age recommendation.

There are too many great scenes to mention, but it is worth noting that numerous scenes include fun, repetitive, finger-snapping songs like “Do you Like My Hat?”, which viewers will find themselves singing many days after the performance. Enough cannot be said about the vibrant costumes, the three oversized, movable and climbable props (see picture), and the new theatre. The facility is a welcome change over of its previous temporary location. The new theatre is spacious with comfortable cushioned audience seating, convenient restrooms and a birthday party room. Staff demeanor relative to several items including insistence on outside stroller parking is the only disappointment to an overwhelmingly enjoyable experience.

If you have little ones, OK recommends using your stroller as there is a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the theatre. Don’t despair; it’s a scenic and educational walk as you uncover discovery creek museum, Glen Echo Pottery, the carousel, and many other fascinating pieces of history. And for the parents, the Yellow Barn Studio and Gallery is presently exhibiting work by Yellow Barn instructors. The show will run January 19 through February 24 in the Popcorn Gallery at Glen Echo Park. It is just steps away from the theatre, and nearly as impressive as the dogs!

Additional information:

  • Go Dog, Go! runs from January 19 to February 24, 2008. Most shows are on Saturdays and Sundays at 11am and 1:30pm. There are special showings on select weekdays.
  • Cost is $12 per ticket.
  • Group rates available. Call 301.320.5331 for more information.
  • The theatre hosts birthday parties.

Did you see Go Dog, Go!? What's your opinion? Just drop us a note and Our Kids will add your comments to this review.