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101 Dalmatians: Howling Holiday Fun at Imagination Stage

By Allison Fort December 14, 2014
When Mr. and Mrs. Dearly welcome a litter of five Dalmatian puppies to their 1950s London home, Cruella de Vil is quick to plot their kidnap. Puppy parents Pongo and Missis discover their location through the help of their dog friends...and they find 94 more puppies in peril too. Will the 101 Dalmatians make it back to the Dearlys' home safely?

Imagination Stage brings this classic story, based on the book by Dodie Smith, to life this holiday season. Fans of the Disney movie of the same name will recognize the characters and stories, but as always Imagination Stage has put its own unique twist on the story. 

"It's always a challenge to take a story that is best known to our audience from the movies and translate it to the stage," says Director Janet Stanford. "In our version, all of the human characters are played by larger-than-life puppets while the dogs are anthropomorphized and therefore totally recognizable and accessible." 

The story is told from the dogs' point of view,  and the show opens with a song joking about how little the Dearlys know about their canine companions. The puppets are big and beautiful...and then there's Cruella. She's loud and angry and she may be a bit too much for the more sensitive little theatergoers, but there are more than enough comedic moments to take the sting out of Cruella's threats to hurt the puppies. The story's messages of bravery and the importance of family are great ones for kids and adults alike.


101 Dalmatians is recommended for ages four and up. My kindergartener loved the show, though she did have just one complaint: there are not actually 101 Dalmatians onstage.  This is true, but the stage is packed with action and music just the same.  

101 Dalmatians runs through January 11, 2015 and tickets begin at $10. Tickets can be purchased online, at the Imagination Stage box office, or via phone at 301-280-1660. Group rates are available. 



Special opportunities:
•Pajama Party: December 20 at 11:00 am. Come in your pajamas and enjoy free breakfast before the show!
•Santa Comes to Town: December 24 at 11:00 am. Join Santa for a photo opportunity before the show.
•Special Saturday Night Performance and Dalmatian Appreciation Day: January 3 at 7:00 pm. Dress in your best Dalmatian spots and decorate your own dog treat (edible for humans) before the show!