The 101 Dalmatians Musical

The 101 Dalmatians Musical Poster

The 101 Dalmatians Musical is a stage musical adaptation of Dodie Smith's 1956 novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians and the 1961 Walt Disney animated film One Hundred and One Dalmatians. The musical features a book by B.T. McNicholl and a score by Dennis DeYoung, a founding member of the rock band Styx.

Plot

The musical follows the story of Pongo and Perdita, two Dalmatian dogs, as they embark on a daring adventure to rescue their stolen puppies from the villainous Cruella de Vil. The plot closely mirrors that of the original novel and the animated film, with some adaptations for the stage.

Production History

The 101 Dalmatians Musical premiered at the Minneapolis Orpheum Theatre on October 13, 2009. The production was directed by Jerry Zaks and featured choreography by Warren Carlyle. The musical then went on a national tour across the United States.

Characters

• Pongo - The male Dalmatian and father of the puppies.
• Perdita - The female Dalmatian and mother of the puppies.
• Cruella de Vil - The main antagonist who desires to make a fur coat from the Dalmatian puppies.
• Roger Radcliffe - Pongo's owner, a songwriter.
• Anita Radcliffe - Perdita's owner and Roger's wife.
• Nanny - The Radcliffes' housekeeper.
• Jasper and Horace - Cruella's bumbling henchmen.

Musical Numbers

The musical features a variety of songs that capture the spirit of the original story. Some notable numbers include:

• "One Hundred and One Dalmatians"
• "Cruella de Vil"
• "Dalmatian Plantation"
• "Twilight Barking"

Reception

The 101 Dalmatians Musical received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the production's faithful adaptation of the beloved story and the performances of the cast, others felt that the musical did not capture the same magic as the original animated film.

Legacy

Despite its mixed reviews, The 101 Dalmatians Musical has maintained a following among fans of the original story and Disney adaptations. The musical continues to be performed by various theater companies around the world.

See Also

• The Hundred and One Dalmatians
• One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961 film)
• Cruella de Vil
• Walt Disney Theatrical Productions