Open Wardrobes

Last night I attended the opening night of "Axel and His Dog" at Lakeshore Players (where I've done a couple of shows in the last year). I am not old enough to remember the show myself, but based on the reactions from those in the audience who were, this was clearly a very popular show in its day! I am a little biased towards anything at Lakeshore due to my previous involvement. I knew several people in the show, including Jacob Hugart (Axel) who I performed with in last year's "Hansel and Gretel."


Overall it was a fun show. Jacob and Tom (who plays Axel's co-star Don Stoltz) were a great team and found an especially nice groove when doing their "on air" bits. The original TV show was clearly goofy, but if the play is accurate (and as it was written by the real Don Stoltz I expect so) they walked a fine line in some of their humor for a kids show in the 50s. We in the audience however were often in stitches! Parts of the show were a bit rough (mostly slow pacing) which I think will smooth out after a few performances. The set included 2 real video cameras and a screen above the stage so that you saw what was actually being "broadcast." It was a nice effect, the only drawback was that sometimes I couldn't see the actual action as it was obscured by the cameramen.

The play also takes some unexpectedly sad turns as it chronicles some of the sadder aspects of the real lives of the men on the show, but I enjoy a play that can take you back and forth between comedy and drama. I found the script itself to be a little unfocused and meandering at times (it's hard sometimes to take off the playwright's hat), but as is often the case the fun the actors were having often made up for it. Fans of the original "Axel" will love this show, others will likely enjoy a glimpse of this Minnesota icon from days gone by.