Dogfight
Awards and Recognition
- Outstanding Musical Lucille Lortel Awards
- Los Angeles & Orange County Premiere
Reviewer Quotes
“ An exciting, fresh new musical with many enjoyable songs ”
Broadway World
“ so on-target and honest that it's heart-breaking ”
Broadway Stars
“ The Chance has pulled out all the stops with their top drawer production. ”
HainesHisWay.com
“The whole damn world might change tomorrow. So we go for broke today”
In this 2013 Lucille Lortel Outstanding Musical Award winner, a plain young woman not accustomed to men’s attention is approached by a young Marine the night before he ships out for Vietnam. Little does she know why he’s really invited her to a party, and little does he know that this “common girl” is going to change him in ways he could never imagine. From the award-winning team of Broadway’s A Christmas Story and television’s “Smash” comes a new musical that brings an unexpected lesson on love and the power of compassion.
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Mary Kay Fyda-Mar
SEASON PRODUCERS Bette & Wylie Aitken
“a crisply staged area premiere by the Chance Theater in Anaheim, which, given its excellent record with musicals classic and new, is just the company you’d want to do it.”
— Los Angeles Times
“suitably captures the joy and elation of youthful frivolity and youthful attraction, but also the sad, heartbreaking realities of youth squelched by the unforgivable violence of war—all in the small compact footprint of the Cripe Stage.” — Broadway World
“Nelson etches the evening’s most unforgettable portrdait. Her Rose’s low self-esteem and desire to actuate the ideals found in folk music are affecting and appealing, and Nelson and Puente are endearingly awkward in the tasteful bedroom scene.” — Orange County Register
“Matthew McCray directs Dogfight with abundant imagination and flair, and he has been blessed by a splendid (and gratifyingly ethnically diverse) cast of Chance vets and newbies… Still, it’s Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s memorable collection of songs (the catchy-as-all-get-out “Hey, Good-Lookin’” and “Come To A Party,” the uber-romantic ‘60s-style “That Face,” the show-stopping “Dogfight,” the downright exquisite “Nothing Short Of Wonderful,” and the heartbreaking “Pretty Funny” among them) that give the musical its emotional heart and punch.” — StageSceneLA
“Dogfight is a welcome addition to the local musical theatre scene and should be seen by anyone who loves good theatre and relatively unknown shows.” — HainesHisWay.com
“Director McCray and company have concocted a rich, fast-moving and deeply engrossing production that is fully in keeping with The Chance’s elegant custom of offering far more than a simple “Boy meets Girl” ‘song-and-dance’ kind of musical. This is a story that stays with you to ponder and continue to be moved by after the house lights have finally been brought up.” — Broadway Stars
Venue Bette Aitken theater arts Center
- Full-Service Bar
- Free Parking
- Conveniently Located
See the show? Share your experience with us...
At a Glance
- Approximate Running Time:
- 2 hours with intermission
- Special Notes:
-
- On the Cripe Stage
- Contains strong language
- Post-show discussions at each performance
- Open seating. Subscribe for assigned seats.
- "Salon" on Sun, Feb 14 at 3pm... Arrive at 2:15pm and stay after the show for 2 specially hosted discussions with the artists.
- Save $10 by attending Previews (Feb 5-12). Limited availability.
- Save $5 by attending Weekdays (Feb 17-Mar 4). Limited availability.
- 2-for-1 Tix on Wed, Feb 17 at 7:30pm... Use online code "DFM1219". Limited availability.
- $20 Rush Tix available 1 hour prior to the performance. Cash only. Subject to availability.
- 40% off for Groups of 10 or more... plus assigned seating. Visit www.ChanceTheater.com/Groups.
I saw Dogfight on the 5th if March and thought it was a great performance. I particularly responded to Andrew Puente throughout and when he came back from Viet Nam destroyed. I am going to NY soon and plan to go see Ben Pasek and Justin Paul’s new musical.
Her compassion and forgiveness was thought provoking.
Very professional well put on performance
Loved the show
we stayed for an informative discussion afterward- engaging & honest/talented cast!!
Performance was excellent. Heavy at times, especially the end, but enjoyable. Music and choreography very good.
Very good show. Emotional and moving. Love your theater.
Acting was excellent by all cast members. Engagement with characters grew throughout performance. Set innovative and creative.
THE LANGUAGE AND SOME ALLUSIONS WERE RAW BUT GOOD JARHEAD. WE LOVED THE FACIAL AND BODY INTERPRETATIONS OF THE TW0 MAIN CHARACTERS. THEY WORKED THEIR MAGIC – WE WERE MOVED TO TEARS A COUPLE OF TIMES!
The show was superb. All the actors made you feel what they were portraying and their voices were great.
The play was excellent. The actors were amazing. The ending was very emotional and thought provoking. I loved it.
Great demonstration of futility of war and waste of young lives.
Excellent Really felt drawn into performance
A wonderful performance overall. So much talent in the cast. Loved Rose though she’s far too pretty to be in a dogfight. My main complaint was that all of the girls were very beautiful. Though they all had their “ugly” quirks I found rose to be not at all made to be unattractive in any way. If anything just a tad plain. Which just made the choice to have her as Eddie’s date in the dogfight rather confusing.
Excellent play; very well directed. McCray’s work was excellent!
Very talented actors and musicians. The story was very moving.
Thoroughly enjoyed the play, a new one for us. I enjoyed meeting with the producer and directors of music, lights, costumes etc, prior to the play. This provided a unique perspective.
A gem of a show!
I found the play timeless except for the closing scenes which were so specific to Viet Nam. Lovely story and charming music that’s more Jim Croce vibe than Cole Porter or Andrew Lloyd-Weber. Wonderful lead and supporting cast. Dancing was superb – the ensemble men were spectacular dancers who evoked an exuberant and thoroughly Marine Corps spirit.
We enjoyed the story of the young soldiers, their romances and tragedies. The actors gave strong performances both acting and in song. The band played very well.
The performance was fast paced and thoroughly enjoyable; there was never a dull moment.
The entire show was so well done. It was also very educational & informative. Keep the good work.
Great experience, not only were the performers amazing but the staff working the box office and bar were pretty great also.
My daughter and I stumbled upon the Dogfight soundtrack last year and fell in love with it. We loved Lindsay Mendez’s voice. We said we would definitely see it if it came here and jumped at the chance. I thought I would be disappointed by anyone else singing Rose’s part – but the woman at this performance was wonderful.