Jimmy Johansmeyer (l) and Melissa Herion (r) in “The Little Dog Laughed” at The Theater Barn from September 8-23, 2012.

The Little Dog Laughedis a scathing comedy about Hollywood’s dirtiest secrets. It opens at The Theater Barn in New Lebanon, NY on Friday, September 7th at 8pm and runs for three weekends through September 23rd.

Justin Rugg as Alex and Jimmy Johansmeyer as Mitch. Diane thinks Mitch might have a “slight recurring case of homosexuality”.

It is getting its area premiere under the direction of Bert Bernardi who has the abbility to exploit the humor that is buried in this play’s script for all audiences to enjoy.

The hilarious tale of flexible sexuality was written by Douglas Carter Beane (As Bees in Honey Drown and The Sister Act) was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Play in 2007. The play has been rediscovered of late, with its London production at the Garrick Theatre in 2010 and last year inn Vancouver where it had its Canadian debut.

Since so much of the fun of this unconventional comedy is in its surprises, suffice to say that it puts on stage what are normally down and dirty whispers about how the Hollywood film industry operates. The players include a screen idol in the closet, an ambitious male prostitute and his naïve girlfriend, and a brash, driven Hollywood agent who can spin anyone and anything. The New York Times called the play “The tastiest homegrown comedy of manners in years, a tangy new fable of fame and its discontents.”

The Cast

The cast for The Little Dog Laughed are (l to r) Jimmy Johansmeyer, Melissa Macleod Herion, Justin Rugg and Ruth Kennedy.
.

The Theater Barn production features audience favorite Melissa Herion (Boeing, Boeing and The Hollow) playing the agent Diane, Jimmy Johansmeyer (Grease and The Mystery of Irma Vep) is the movie star Mitchell, Ruth Kennedy (Forum) is Ellen and newcomer Justin Rugg is Alex. The play is being directed by Theater Barn veteran Bert Bernardi.

The Fall Season at The Theater Barn runs for three weekends through September 23rd. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets are $24.00 for the evening performances and $22.00 for the Sunday matinees. For information and reservations call (518) 794-8989. www.theaterbarn.com