Music composed by Tom Doyle, orchestrations by Jacqueline Sadler.
“Dads! The Musical”, which tells the story of Charles, Kirk and Joey, three well-meaning but hilarious stay-at-home fathers, has played in more than 60 productions across the country. Now this intrepid trio is back in “Dads 2: The Toddlers’ Revenge”. It’s two years later. The new-born’s are now toddlers, and what a bunch they are! Played by a brilliant set of puppets, these rambunctious two year olds sing and dance, argue and throw temper tantrums, and while they’re at it, steal your heart!
Dads 2 is a theatrical entertainment bursting at the seams with sparkling comic scenes and a steady parade of great musical numbers: “Calm Before The Stork”; “Prom Queen”; “Will Power”; “Joey Rocks”, “Cabana Boy” and a kick-out soul finale called “Wild With Surprise”. Every song is fresh and original with the music ranging from doo-wop to tango to Mexican serenade, and from 60’s rock to sexy Caribbean. Even the toddlers (played by puppets) get into the act! Two year old Beth has a solo number entitled “Mommy and Daddy Were Wrestling” which is pure show-stopper; and in the middle of the act one finale, the Toddlers do a rap number and a break dance!
And as the men face those universal questions known to so many – “Is there sleep after birth?”; “Is there sex after marriage”? – they just keep on coping! Joey now has triplet girls as well as twin boys - 5 kids under the age of two! Meanwhile, Charles, a “designer dad” obsessed with being in control, meets his match in Tanya, his beautiful, super-intelligent toddler who’s always messy, sucks her thumb, wears red rubber boots, and is a master at taking will power to the limit. Then there’s Kirk whose two year old brings new meaning to the word “tantrum”; and in one of the most hilarious scenes in the play, demonstrates a keen liking for the swear words she has learned from her unsuspecting dad.
Fortunately, while the “dread chaos” does not end, the men do discover new resources within themselves; and by play’s end, do begin to live
again with a sense of joy, curiosity and surprise.
Welcome to Dads 2. Welcome to life, love, chaos and a mine field of explosive comedy!
First produced by Waterloo Stage, May 2006.
Also produced by
Mayfield Dinner Theatre Edmonton (2003)
Roxy Theatre, Owen Sound (2009)
Keywords: Stay at home dads - Hilarious Parenting
There is also a strong viewpoint emerging in DADS 2. For all the comic antics, there is a sense of rejuvenation here. The men do undergo a transformation; and as the play progresses, they begin to find a new take on life itself, and this change is embodied by key words – “surprise”, “curiosity”. Appropriately enough, these philosophical underpinnings are all tied together in the final number entitled, “Wild With Surprise”. Yes, DADS 2 generates a lot of laughter, but it also can strike some deep chords, and has something to say about what it means to live fully and vibrantly.
Manipulated by the actors, who are fully visible, the puppets are brilliantly constructed, quite easy to use, and endlessly engaging and full of life. Two full sets are available for rent at very reasonable fees.
- Connie’s Page, Thousand Islands Playhouse