MUTTS GONE NUTS Returns To Flat Rock Playhouse

By: May. 07, 2018
Enter Your Email to Unlock This Article

Plus, get the best of BroadwayWorld delivered to your inbox, and unlimited access to our editorial content across the globe.




Existing user? Just click login.

MUTTS GONE NUTS Returns To Flat Rock Playhouse Flat Rock Playhouse presents the return of Mutts Gone Nuts - a comedy dog thrill show that promotes the adoption of rescue animals. Deemed "A Must See" by the Washington Post, expect the unexpected as canines and comedy collide in a smash hit performance, that's leaving audiences everywhere howling for more. From shelters to showbiz, these amazing mutts unleash havoc and hilarity in a breathtaking, action packed, comedy dog spectacular, featuring some of the world's most talented 4 legged performers. After a record breaking weekend of performances at Flat Rock Playhouse in 2017, audiences are sure to "howl" with laughter at the return of these talented and endearing pups.

Disorderly duo, Scott and Joan Houghton and their hilarious pack of pooches have created a comedy dog thrill show like no other in this top-notch presentation that includes: incredible high flying frisbee dogs, tightwire dogs, dancing dogs, magic dogs and of course, the one and only . . . Sammie the Talking Dog!

Since 1985, comedy duo Scott and Joan Houghton have brought their unique blend of physical comedy and circus arts to audiences from Las Vegas to Tokyo. They spent three years with country star Lee Greenwood at his theater in Tennessee and seven years as the featured comedy act at Dolly Parton's Theaters in Branson, Orlando and Myrtle Beach. In 2005, the duo turned their attention to a creating a comedy dog act. Their nine amazing canine partners are all adopted from animal shelters and rescues.

"Our show's dogs were adopted from animal shelters or from rescue groups," says the Houghtons. "We use all positive, reward-based training methods, which means: We reward and reinforce the behaviors that we want (with treats, toys, praise) and we ignore the behaviors we don't want. We look for what our dogs like to do naturally, and cultivate those talents."

"This canine cabaret is a fun filled amazing hour of rescue dogs showing the crowd what they love to do. It is wonderful to see these dogs love what they are doing and shine!" says Lutrelle O'Cain, Executive Director of Blue Ridge Humane Society, the Executive Producer of this production. "We love that the cast are all rescued dogs pulled out of shelters across the country. They have not only been given a second chance, they have a career that highlights how amazing shelter pets are. Of course - we know that!"

Presented by Mainstage Series Sponsor Henderson County Tourism Development Authority, Opening Night Sponsor BMW of Asheville and and Executive Producer Blue Ridge Humane Society, Mutts Gone Nuts will run for 5 performances only on the Mainstage. Blue Ridge Humane Society will also be hosting pet adoptions on Saturday afternoon before the matinee.

TICKETS AND SCHEDULE

Mutts Gone Nuts will run Friday through Sunday from May 18 through 20 at the Playhouse Mainstage. Performances on Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, and Sunday at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Tickets are $16 - $32 and can be purchased by calling the Playhouse Box Office at 828-693-0731, toll-free at 866-732-8008 or online at www.flatrockplayhouse.org.

The Flat Rock Playhouse is located in Hendersonville at 2661 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock.

FLAT ROCK PLAYHOUSE

In 1937, a group of struggling performers, led by Robroy Farquhar, organized themselves as the Vagabond Players. The Vagabonds worked in a variety of places over the course of three years, and in 1940 found themselves in the Blue Ridge region of Western North Carolina. The local and tourist community welcomed them with open arms when they presented their first summer season of plays in a 150-year-old grist mill they converted into The Old Mill Playhouse at Highland Lake. So successful was that summer, they returned in 1941. After WWII, the Vagabond Players reorganized, came back to the region and opened a playhouse in nearby Lake Summit. The Lake Summit Playhouse thrived during the post war years and soon the Vagabond Players were looking for a larger and permanent home. In 1952, the troupe of performers, and a newly formed board of directors, made an offer to buy an 8-acre lot in the Village of Flat Rock. This new home made the Vagabonds "locals" and a rented big top gave birth to Flat Rock Playhouse. As the beautiful Western Carolina region continued to grow, so did the Playhouse and in 1961, by Act of the North Carolina General Assembly, Flat Rock Playhouse was officially designated The State Theatre of North Carolina. What began as a few weeks of summer performances in 1940 is now a nine-month season of plays including Broadway musicals, comedy, drama, and theatre for young audiences. The Playhouse's dual mission of producing the performing arts and providing education in the performing arts includes a professional series; a summer and fall college apprentice and intern program; and Studio 52, year-round classes and workshops in theatre and film for students from kindergarten through adults. Flat Rock Playhouse now hosts over 105,000 patrons annually and is a significant contributor to the local economy and the Arts in North Carolina.

Photo provided by Mutts Gone Nuts



Videos