Book, Music & Lyrics by Peter Sham
Music by Randall Kramer
Based on their original story
Additional Script Material by Steven D’Addieco
IT’S A DOG’S LIFE follows the adventures of a Golden Retriver named BO, a loyal domestic.
He obviously adores his master, Heather, a little girl who shares the sentiment. However, BO
has a secret: he is being chased to the death by a mad dog mongrel named SPIKE and his
motley pack of mangy misfits. To keep Heather from harm, BO decides to leave home and
run away as far as possible – he heads for the big city. Along his journey he befriends a
loveable mutt named BUDDIE. Together they have the adventure of a lifetime, meeting such
colorful canine characters as CROONER, a Black Lab, the coolest dog in town, and his
back-up trio of POODLES (who come complete with “people” skirts); ROSIE, a sultry singing
and dancing Irish Setter; and MAX, the German Shepard, an old retired seeing-eye-dog. But
everywhere BO goes, SPIKE and his GANG doggedly follows. And when SPIKE causes the
death of one of BO’s new-found friends, BO is forced to tell the story of their past. To keep his
friends from danger, BO ventures out alone and finally confronts SPIKE. But BUDDIE and his
friends are not far behind and, after a dogfight of West Side Story proportions (complete with
“switchbones”), SPIKE and his GANG are defeated. BO returns home to Heather, and the others
are left longing for the happiness that BO has found, which all dogs desire at heart.
Although IT’S A DOG’S LIFE is perfect for all ages, it is not a children’s show. There’s plenty of
inside humor for adults of all ages as well. Costuming is simple and contemporary: colors and
accessories in the style of the breeds depicted, with the only suggestion of “dog” being a
little black make-up on the nose. The show has a street quality, almost like a modern-day OLIVER!
Musical Numbers:
ACT ONE: The Little Dog I Love (Heather & Bo); Hey, Bud? (Buddie & Bo); Sweet Corner Crooner (Crooner
& Poodles); Jazz Waggin’ (Rosie & City Dogs); Who Will Walk Through Town? (Rosie & Max);
Who Will Walk...Reprise (Max, Buddie, Bo & Rosie); It’s A Dog’s Life (Rosie, Crooner, Bo & City Dogs)
ACT TWO: It’s Funny (Bo & Company); Mad Dog In The Streets! (Spike & Gang); Anyone Can Dream (Rosie
& Bo); Mad Dog Rap (Spike); Dogfight (Instrumental); Anyone Can Dream Reprise (Company)
BO, Golden Retriever, a loyal domestic dog.
HEATHER, a little girl, master.
MAX, German Shepard, an old, retired seeing-eye-dog.
BUDDIE, Russell Terrier mix, definitely not paper-trained.
SPIKE, Doberman-Pit Bull-Chihuahua, a mad dog.
DUNDER, Kimmel Terrier, his sidekick.
LUNK, SAP & BONE, Mangy, Motley Mutts, Spike’s gang.
CROONER, Black Labrador, a dog-about-town.
LO-LO, DOE-DOE & ZO-ZO, Poodles.
ROSIE, Irish Setter, loveable and accommodating.
CHORUS, various breeds and entities to play
CITY DOGS and BEDROOM TOYS.
©2005
Steele Spring Productions.
All Songs Used by Permission.
International Copyright Secured.
Steele Spring Productions.
All Songs Used by Permission.
International Copyright Secured.
Bo & Company: It's Funny
Place: The outskirts and inner streets of a big city. Unit set with simple items to suggest each scene.
Action: Continuous, with a single intermission.
Currently available with full orchestral tracks only. See “How to get your dog’s license” for more details.
The Poodles and Buddy
Crooner: Sweet Corner Crooner