The Little Dog Laughed Goldberg

The Little Dog Laughed
2/14/08 MIDDLETOWN PRESS

By Bonnie Goldberg

As a theatrical agent, Diane is a master at the art of the game, sharpening her fangs and polishing her
vitriol on minnows of negotiations as she prepares for the big kill: landing the whale of a role for her
client. Diane has carefully placed all her caviar eggs in Mitchell Green's basket and it looks like all the
plotting and scheming, conniving and finagling are about to pay off big time.
Pull up a chair to the bargaining table as Hartford TheaterWorks
offers a brittle insider look at Hollywood deals and the souls that are sold to the devil to make them
happen. Until Sunday, March 9, "The Little Dog Laughed" by Douglas Carter Beane, directed by Rob
Ruggiero, will be generating buzz and lots of laughs as it unbares itself of inhibitions and clothing.
Billed as "a naughty comedy about a dirty business," it tells the tale of Mitch (Chad Allen) who
discovers he has genuine feelings for Alex (Jeremy Jordan) just when that revelation will destroy his
chance of landing his greatest role to date. His barracuda of an agent in stiletto heels, played will the
right blend of stings and arrows by Candy Buckley, works her tush off for Mitch, only to be appalled
when his indiscretions threaten to blow it all away.
Add to the complications the appearance of Alex's pregnant girlfriend Ellen (Amanda Perez) and you
have the full cast of characters for this wild foray behind bedroom doors and inside theatrical offices.
This is definitely adult fare, with x-rated language and visual graphics.
For tickets ($37-58) call Hartford TheaterWorks, 233 Pearl Street, Hartford at 860-527-7838 or online at
www.theaterworkshartford.org. ; Performances are Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday
at 8 p.m., with matinees Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Discover for yourself if Diane can keep the closet door closed, by fair means or foul, to guarantee her
client Mitch his chance for the gold ring on Hollywood's not-so-merry-go-round.