It’s Not Just About A Dog
This past week, the BSU Theater Department brought Janie Wants A Dog, written by Jan Rosenberg and directed by BSU senior Erin Faria (she/her) to our fair stage. I went into the show only knowing that a dog was involved, but I was more than pleasantly surprised by the true meaning behind the title.
Overall, I thought the show was amazing. When audience members entered the auditorium, they were greeted by a stage featuring a great set. Although utilizing an open concept, the set had three different settings; Janie’s bedroom, Janie’s moms’ room, and the living room. I enjoyed how the lighting was used to differentiate where the current scene was taking place, and that the characters in each room stayed in character, even when they didn’t have the spotlight on them. Each room was well-representative of what the space was supposed to be, especially Janie’s. Janie’s room captured the innocence she held on to, and her obsession with wanting a dog through posters, her bedding, and stuffed animals which all featured dogs. All those who worked behind the scenes of preparing the show should be proud of their work!
Next, I’d like to give a shout out to the cast. Not a single cast member seemed out of place with their role. The show itself made the audience feel a whirlwind of emotions. The production had me laughing at a funny one-liner to almost tearing up as the characters talked about problems that are prevalent in the lives of many different people. The script itself was brilliantly written, but the cast who brought it to life made it so much better. Special shout-out to Divina Hernandez-LeBlanc (she/they) who’s laugh was hysterical in the role of Daisy!
This show was a raw, relatable, heart-breaking, coming of age core memory for sixth grade girls that I can say personally impacted me. Through conversations held by other audience members and by seeing the live reactions of the audience around me, I could tell that this story and how it was portrayed really meant a lot to everyone in the cast as well as the audience. I cannot wait to see what the BSU Theater Department has next!
