Dennis DeYoung happens to know a thing or two about music. The former Styx front man has been dishing out rock and pop mega hits for nearly 40 years! That’s two hundred and eighty dog years! Now, DeYoung is taking on a new gig as the composer for the new 101 Dalmatians Musical, which is guaranteed to please families and dogs all over. The singer/pianist sat down with Wendy Diamond and Lucky to discuss the new musical.
Writing the songs for a family musical was a challenge, DeYoung admits. “They have to be intelligent enough for adults and not too smart for kids,” he reveals. As he wrote the songs, DeYoung wanted the music to properly reflect the personalities of the Dalmatians and the humans. “Since it is from the dogs’ point of view, I tried to make their music more contemporary and the humans’ music more traditional,” he said. “The dogs are really human and the humans are like cartoon characters.”
Without giving anything away, DeYoung hinted a little treat he has in store for viewers: real Dalmatians “actors” will appear in two different scenes of the play, sure to have families howling with excitement. “They appear twice in the show. Very briefly, but very effectively,” he said.
Lucky’s favorite part of the interview was when DeYoung mentioned his own Maltese, Lady. Despite not joining her “daddy” on tour, Lady enjoyed spending time with DeYoung while he wrote songs for the musical at his piano. But even rock legends must give into the demands of their furry friends. “As always, right in the middle of something important, she’ll want to go out. So I have to get up from the piano and take her out,” he says with a smile.
DeYoung stressed the importance of family in this latest incarnation of the children’s classic. “Our families are imperfect and crazy, and although there is a certain amount of craziness to this family of Dalmatians, it’s the pedestal on which all families should be put.”
– Dylan Davis
For show and ticket information visit: www.the101dalmatiansmusical.com
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