EVERY DOG HAS HIS DAY
(AND A DREAM)
If you have time off this month and are feeling wanderlust for foreign travel—but your summer budget doesn’t allow for an actual trip around the world—I would like to recommend taking your vacation vicariously by catching Mr. Puppy The Musical a stage production about a globe-trotting dog. Opening July 6, 2025, and playing through July 16 with lots of daytime performances, it might just make your day. It’s far more affordable than a ticket on an airplane or most other means of transport—and not as pricey as theater tickets to other shows in town. Adults get in for $33.42, and kids or seniors pay $28.22.
The Cast of Mr Puppy the Musical
Stage and Cinema was invited to attend a rehearsal and meet the company. The focused cast was being led in scenes and dance steps by attentive director/choreographer Jonathan S. Cerullo, who was enthusiastic about the show and the company during our talk on a break, and then flew right back into his command position to fine-tune the work. There’s a professional but warm ambience across the board and appealing talent. Among the performers, I noticed Beatriz Coronel, whom I remember as a standout in the musical Smile, presented this spring at the same venue where Mr. Puppy will be unleashed: The AMT Theater at 354 West 45th Street in Manhattan.
Angela Zhang, Joseph Cerullo, Sydney Weiser
The fun, family-friendly, merry musical Mr. Puppy has characters and scenes representing several countries and is thoroughly uplifting. Speaking of things “uplifting,” the title character’s means of travel is a balloon that takes him hither and yon, meeting people from different lands and learning about cultures and customs. (And by “customs,” we mean national traditions—not the annoying process at border crossings and airports where luggage is inspected.) Mr. Puppy travels light. As his name and some visuals on this page suggest, he’s a dog—a toy dog who can speak. And sing. And dance. His repertoire with those last two activities is expanded as he’s introduced to each country’s songs and dances by the locals.
Mr. Puppy Standby Daniel Braaten
I was the intrigued fly on the wall, happy to create some buzz about this feel-good show I feel good about recommending. It’s not just that it’s charming (it is), or that the songs are catchy (they are), or that there are talented, dedicated people involved (there are). What’s so admirable is that it has real heart—and, without being preachy or pat, conveys life-affirming, positive messages.
We first see Mr. Puppy living among other toys inside a store. He’s not very happy, because he’s curious about the outside world. His knowledge of it is limited to what little he can see through the store’s front window. Like real dogs, he wants to go out—and not just for a walk on a leash. When he reveals his dogged determination to depart, the other toys discourage him, saying it’s too dangerous. But his mind is made up, and soon he’s up in the air, via the aforementioned balloon, to make his dream of experiencing life come true.
Mariko Kai, Anja Vasa, Beatriz Coronel, Jamiel T. Burkhart, Joseph Keegan
Following one’s dreams is a key element of the tale, as the courageous canine encounters young people with their own goals—such as Nehal, a singing girl in India who wants a performing career in Bollywood films.
The direct, accessible, unpretentious songs have a sunny sensibility—like the good vibes you get from meeting and observing the composer/lyricist, David L. Tolley. The philosophical takeaways are summed up economically in such numbers as “Take a Chance,” “Grateful,” and the stress-reliever “Chill Out and Be Happy.” In addition to his stop-for-life lessons in Asia, our furry hero also learns about dancing (“Do the Samba”). Demo recordings of the score can be heard on Mr. Puppy SoundCloud or Mr. Puppy YouTube Playlist.
Beatriz Coronel, Mariko Kai, Jamiel T. Burkhart
Scenes and songs spotlight self-confidence, taking risks, kindness, and appreciating/embracing both the differences and commonalities among people of various backgrounds. Mr. Puppy reinforces that a common bond can be created through communication—and that music can be a big part of that.
These themes came up in conversation with the thoughtful Michael David Lee, who created the character, story, and script, and is also the artist of the Mr. Puppy brand. His show is crafted to appeal to all ages—definitely not just to little kids, like so much simplistic “children’s theatre” that’s merely cute and bouncy, without much food for thought. (Speaking of food, the play was preceded by Mr. Puppy brand dog food—and it was all inspired by memories of the toy dog Lee prized as a child, and the adventures he imagined for it.)
The Cast of Mr Puppy the Musical
“We want them to have a fun experience,” says the author, when asked what he hopes audiences—both young and old—will take away. Beyond the fun, he wants them to absorb ideas about listening to your inner voice, perseverance, supporting others, and realizing that not every effort or day can be expected to be a triumph. He wants the story to convey: “There’s always tomorrow,” and “You choose how to think,” adding “I wanted to avoid any kind of negativity [in the characterizations].”
Anja Vasa, Joseph Keegan, Beatriz Coronel
Having traveled the world himself as a photojournalist and seen dire poverty and suffering, Lee speaks with perspective and empathy. Of his time in Africa, he says, “There are the perils of geography; the river can run dry.” He hopes this New York run leads to productions around the country—perhaps even adaptations into other formats to further spread the show’s philosophy. Like his creation, Mr. Puppy, Mr. Lee has dreams he’s ready to follow. As the story shows, “A dream takes courage.”
Joseph Keegan in Mr Puppy the Musical
Talking with two of the early-career actors made it clear they’ve absorbed the show’s mission, admire it, and are having a great time working on it. Smiling Joseph Keegan plays the title role, and I didn’t have to collar him into staying after rehearsal to share his thoughts. He clearly enjoys playing the plucky pooch, thrilled by the places and people he encounters, ever eager to learn. “Mr. Puppy asks a lot of questions!” he laughs. Like a human toddler, it’s all about the “Why?”
Joseph Keegan, Beatriz Coronel, Jamiel T. Burkhart, Anja Vasa, Mariko Kai
When we discuss what children in the audience might reflect on when the dog (or they themselves) meet people “who may come from different places,” he hopes they’ll take away the implied advice: “Don’t be afraid to meet them.” Anja Vasa agrees, adding that the musical highlights how “Discovery and curiosity are universal,” and that the story champions the idea of following your dreams. She sums up the show as being “so full of joy.”
That was also the opinion of this fly on the wall at rehearsal—there’s a lot of joy in the tale of this toy.
Mr. Puppy The Musical
Jerry Lee and Mr. Puppy LLC
AMT Theater, 354 West 45th Street
July 6 at 2; July 8 at 5; July 9-13 at 11am & 2pm
for tickets ($28.22-$33.42), visit Mr. Puppy The Musical
Cast: Joseph Keegan (Mr. Puppy); Jamiel T. Burkhart (Kimba/Yohan/Toy Bear); Anja Vasa (Nehal/Marie); Beatriz Coronel (Alejandra/Aline); Mariko Kai (Keiko).
Creative Team: Joshua Warner (Scenic Design), Angelina Avallone (Costume Design), Stacey Boggs (Lighting Design), Molly Viega (Sound Engineering), Wendy Ann Gardner (Property and Puppet Design), Saul Nache (Musical Director), Sydney Weiser (Assistant to the Director), Connor Kopko (Production Stage Manager), Helene Galek (Casting Director).
An official review of Mr. Puppy will also appear soon on this site.
