'101 Dalmatians' Cast Brings Wow with a Bow

The Chihuahuas might have to polish their line with the Poodles, but the final tweaks left before the debut of the Gilroy Recreation Department’s production of the musical are hardly noticeable while watching the 46-member cast sing and dance on stage.

It’s the second production for director Michelle Serrano after this April’s Alice in Wonderland Jr. After six weeks of rehearsal, the members of the spotted cast, ages 5–14, will open their show to the public this Friday.

Helping newcomers to learn the ins and outs of being onstage is a skill that Serrano has honed since the last production, she said. Two-thirds of her cast is new, and some are still in kindergarten.

“I learned to encourage kids and help them through their learning process,” she said. “It can be a scary thing when you’re 7 years old, the lights go off, and everyone is staring at you.” 

The musical follows the story of the classic Disney film. Fashionista antagonist Cruella de Vil, obsessed with fur accoutrements, partners with a team of thugs to capture the spotted dogs and use their hide for a new coat. Cast members sing and dance through the capture and rescue, culminating with the original owners inheriting quite a few more than their original litter of Dalmatian puppies.

Gilroy recreation has had musicals for well over a decade, Serrano said.

It will be the last play of the year for the recreation department, with auditions for a new production expected in early 2012, she said. City residents pay $125 to be part of the six-week program, with three practices per week.

All shows will be at the theater, 750 W. Tenth St., on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and July 22-24. Tickets are $7 for all ages. Check the flier for a complete list of times. To order tickets, contact dalmatiantickets@yahoo.com, and call 408-846-0449 for more information.

Meet the cast:

• CRUELLA - Kyle Robinson

• ROGER - Kayla Torres

• ANITA - Alexandra Souza

• NARRATORS: Summer Ceballos, Michaela Rottman, Kaitlyn Hynek, Rachel Kogan, Lindsay Marks

• NANNY - Linda Schultz

• PENNY - Alison Zulaica

• PEPPER - Kaylie Moniz

• LUCKY - Rafael Romo

• PATCH - Ava Lopez

• PONGO & PERDITA’S OTHER PUPPIES: Brooke Allen, Sydney Ogden

• HORACE - Cassidy Gilmore

• JASPER - Paetra Rottman

• PERDITA - Lainie Moniz

• PONGO - Anabela Stewart

• BOXERS: Issabella Romo, Gabriella MillerSierra McKenna, Michelle Schultz

• SCOTTIES: Taylor Mejia, Tayo Bernal, Jazmine Flores, Louis Zulaica

• POODLES: Amanda Miller, Sierra Ceballos, Alexandra Blake

• CHIHUAHUAS: Gannon Janisch, Alexia Salcido, Madison Hammer

• SERGEANT TIBBS - Sophia Bermea

• SPOT - Emma Horn

• DOT - Kyndra Griffin

• FUR VAULT DALMATIANS: Gabriela Baxter, Giana Bozzo, Olivia Bozzo, Aiden Cordia-King, Jakob Grimes, Emma Horn, Kitty Johanson, Jazlynn Miller, Yliana Salcido, Ella Smart, Owen Stewart, Sara Thornburg,

• POLICE MAN - Lindsay Marks

• DOG CATCHER - Rachel Kogan