In a society already divided along so many lines, here’s another way to separate people: dog lovers and non-dog lovers.
“The Pack,” a new play by two local playwrights, examines this divide with comic results. The play, which continues Sunday for two remaining performances in Edmonds, is the work of Seattle resident Amanda Aikman and Romey Gibson of Everett, writing partners who developed the work as part of the Driftwood Theatre’s Alternative Stage series.
The story involves four young single people — two men and two women — buddies in the fashion of TV’s “Friends” who have created a family with their friendship and a shared passion for their dogs.
Dogs are the center of this pack, so much so that they even take an annual vacation in which their dog love extends to making bone-shaped hors d’oeuvres and inventing dog/human games to play.
What happens when one of these four dog lovers comes back from Paris with a serious girlfriend and marriage on his mind is the tipping point in “The Pack.”
He’s in love, but there’s a surprise in store: Newcomer Emily does not share the gang’s passion for pooches.
The authors of “The Pack,” who happen to like dogs, have also taken note of the dog-lovers craze. There are dog clothes for dress-up, gourmet dog treats and salons of grooming. Dogs have even been called the new children because of the devotion of their owners, who spoil them like doting grandparents.
The writing partners met in a Driftwood playwright class three years ago and “The Pack” was developed in the Driftwood Alternative Stages program, which nourishes new works. Previous versions of “The Pack” have been produced at the Mae West Fest in Seattle and The Play Cafe in Edmonds.
Everybody has a dog story. Gibson recalled a dinner party years ago where the guests spent the evening talking about their dogs.
“There was a 30-minute discussion about the best poop picker-upper,” she said. “People have strong feelings about their dogs.”
That includes the members of “The Pack.”
Dennis, a gay man, is the “father” of Whipper, a flatulent dachshund. Sooz is an overanxious “mother” of seven beagles, each named for one of the Seven Dwarfs. Morgan, a dog trainer, is the owner of an intimidating mastiff.
The fourth member is Jake, who returns from a two-week trip to Paris with Emily, a new love who does not share the pet passion. The dynamics of this situation, how the characters work things out, is the comic device of “The Pack.”
And for their record: There are no dogs in this play, but the audience will hear them bark.Mike Murray writes for The Herald in Everett.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.