After acclaimed productions from Alaska to Brazil, BARK! The Musical will mark out its territory in the UK at C venue at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe.
BARK! is a fast-paced, energetic and sometimes poignant tale of a young Jack Russell pup searching to find his bark with the help of his 5 eccentric friends. A stunning musical homage to dogs and their intrepidly “human hearts” - lonely, hungry, horny, and howlingly funny, BARK! has wagged the tails of audiences and critics alike. Bring a biscuit and a handkerchief and get ready to fall in love!
Told and sung entirely from the dogs’ point of view by an all-human cast with songs in a rich variety of musical styles from opera, salsa, Broadway, blues and rap to big-band, BARK! is tail-waggin’, cat-hatin’, face-lickin’ fun for all the family.
With Book and Lyrics by Gavin Geoffrey Dillard, Robert Schrock, Mark Winkler and Music by David Troy Francis, BARK! has received rave reviews including Critics’ Choice from the Los Angeles Times and Critics’ Pick from the Chicago Tribune. It is the third longest running theatre show in Los Angeles history, and received nominations for Best Musical Score & Best Choreography from the prestigious LA Critics’ Drama Circle Awards.
Jalisa Andrews (who plays Boo, a Cocker Spaniel) was Chichi in The Life (Southwark Playhouse) and appeared in Nativity the Musical
Emily Chesterton (Chanel, a French Poodle) was in The Kissing Dance (Ye Olde Rose and Crown) and Closer Than Ever (The Pheasantry)
Andrew Doyle (Sam, a Pit Bull Mutt) toured Australia in We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and was in In The Heights and Parade in Melbourne
Laura Hyde (Golde, a Pug) was in Metropolis (Ye Old Rose and Crown) and Devilish (Landor Theatre)
Brian James Leys (King, a Labrador Retriever) his West End roles include The Lion King and Motown the Musical
Dale Adams (Rocks, an energetic, eager Jack Russell puppy) was Frankie Valli in Walk Like A Man (UK tour) and Steve in Adam & Eve... and Steve (King’s Head Theatre).
Credits:
Book and lyrics by: Gavin Geoffrey Dillard,
Robert Schrock, Mark Winkler
Music by: David Troy Francis
Produced by: Barbara H. Freitag, Elva Corrie,
David Troy Francis, Michael Boustead
Director/Choreographer: Francesca Goodridge
Set & Costume Designer Maeve Black
Lighting Designer Richard Williamson
Sound Designer Chantelle Dobbs
Stage Manager Helen Burdett
Biogs:
David Troy Francis (Creator/Composer/Producer) David is the creator, composer, musical director and executive producer of the runaway smash hit musical BARK! This endeavor is his first foray into the fabulous world of musical theatre. Mr. Francis is the recording pianist for such films as Pursuit of Happyness, Elegy and Fame. He has composed music for both film and television. Best known for his steadfast championing and performance of contemporary American classical music, he is an esteemed concert pianist and recording artist as well as a respected composer, arranger and accompanist. www.barbarianrecords.com
Barbara H. Freitag (Producer) Barbara and her late husband, Buddy, formed B Square + 4 Productions in 2004 with the mission of producing original musicals and plays, garnering six Tony Awards. Currently on Broadway: Come From Away; Hello, Dolly!, and Beautiful the Carole King musical. Past Tony Awards include: All The Way, A Gentleman’s Guide To Love And Murder, Memphis, August: Osage County, and Porgy and Bess. Buddy and Barbara always shared a passion for theatre…she continues the love.
Francesca Goodridge (Director/Choreographer) Francesca trained at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) achieving a BA Hons in Acting, where she was also awarded the annual ‘Acting Prize’. Francesca has wide experience as an actress, vocalist, choreographer and director. She recently directed the new musical Adam and Eve and Steve at Edinburgh Fringe, where it received five-star reviews and a successful transfer to The Kings Head Theatre in London. Directing credits include; SHOUT! The Mod Musical (Edinburgh Fringe / The Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool), Secrets (Epstein Theatre), Ticket To Write (Unity Theatre), Shake It Up Baby (Rehearsed reading, Royal Exchange Manchester). Francesca has worked as assistant and associate director at The Other Room Theatre in Cardiff for a year, credits at The Other Room include; St Nicholas, Constellation Street, and Sinners Club (Gagglebabble/Theatr Clwyd). Other Assistant Director credits include; The Importance of Being Earnest (Theatr Clwyd), Dick Whittington (Torch Theatre), Love Steals Us From Loneliness (Camden Peoples Theatre).
Elva Corrie (Producer) Elva is a writer and producer for radio, television and theatre, having worked extensively in the USA and Canada and, most recently, in the UK. In 1980 Elva produced the first ever professional ice skating championships in partnership with ABC TV and Madison Square Gardens in NY. She also produced The John Curry Skating Company, the world’s first non-profit ice ensemble, which played the Metropolitan Opera House, the Kennedy Centre, Royal Albert Hall and the Yoyogi Stadium in Tokyo. Elva has authored several autobiographies and has written scripts for NBC/TV and CBC/TV.
Michael Boustead (Producer) Michael has enjoyed a tremendously varied musical career. His first love is David Troy Francis with whom he has lived for 24 years. His second love is film music. He graduated from the prestigious Scoring for Film and Television program at the University of Southern California where he studied composition with film composer legends David Raksin (Laura, The Bad and the Beautiful), Elmer Berstein (The Magnificent Seven, The Ten Commandments), Leonard Rosenman (East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause). His piano composition, Prelude No. 1, was recorded by David Francis. The Los Angeles Times said of this composition, “think Chopin at Le Club Hot”. He has worked as an orchestrator for various films including Disney’s, 101 Dalmations. While living in Los Angeles, Mr. Boustead worked as music editor on many wonderful films including Remember the Titans, Collateral, Lemony Snicket’s: A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Princess Diaries & The Pursuit of Happyness. He has over 30 films to his credit. Mr. Boustead has been a producer of the smash hit musical BARK! since its creation.
BARK! The Musical
Edinburgh Fringe 2018
1-27 Aug (not 13)
C, venue 34
Chambers Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1HR
Performances:
17:25 hours (1hr15)
Tickets:
£11.50-£13.50 / concessions £9.50-£11.50 / under 18s £7.50-£9.50
available from:
Fringe box office at edfringe.com 0131 226 0000
