Throwback Thursday: Dogfight

Now's the perfect time to meet the musical Dogfight! The show premiered Off Broadway in 2012 led by the fabulous Lindsay Mendez and Derek Klena.

Mendez is currently starring in Carousel as Carrie Pipperidge, a role for which she just earned her first Tony nomination and win! Mendez left Godspell on Broadway to lead this show, and her incredible voice is almost always worth a listen as far as I'm concerned.

Her costar in the show, Derek Klena, originated the role of Dmitry on Broadway in Anastasia most recently. You may also know him as DJ Fingablast on Netflix's Kimmy Schmidt. The show also featured Broadway regular Annaleigh Ashford.

The music and lyrics were written by Pasek & Paul, who have had an incredible stretch of musicals from both Broadway and Films in Dear Evan Hansen, The Greatest Showman, and La La Land. The plot according to Pasek and Paul's site is:

It’s November 21, 1963. On the eve of their deployment to a small but growing conflict in Southeast Asia, three young Marines set out for one final boys’ night of debauchery, partying and maybe a little trouble. But when Corporal Eddie Birdlace meets Rose, an awkward and idealistic waitress he enlists to win a cruel bet with his fellow recruits, she rewrites the rules of the game and teaches him the power of compassion.

The production was nominated for two Drama League Awards and five Outer Critics Circle Awards. It won Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Choreography (Christopher Gattelli) at the 2013 Lucille Lortel Awards. Gattelli has recently choreographed Spongebob Squarepants and My Fair Lady, and is currently working on The Cher Show.

Dogfight was directed by Joe Mantello who is a Broadway Mainstay. His most recent work includes directing Three Tall Women and Boys in the Band, and he's also acted to acclaim in The Normal Heart and 1993's Angels in America among others.

Must Listen Songs:

-First Date/Last Night, Lindsay Mendez/Derek Klena: Mendez and Klena's voices are stunning together, and the lyrics about their internal monologues while on a date are totally relatable.

-Dogfight, Annaleigh Ashford/Lindsay Mendez: Enjoy Ashford's cynicism and fury in this number. She's the perfect counter to the hopeful, naive character Mendez plays.

-Before It's Over, Lindsay Mendez: Mendez's character owning it! Add this one to your lady power playlist - the crystal clear, powerful vocals paired with such vulnerability make it my favorite song of the musical