"Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead" on Stage

The Fairmont State University School of Fine Arts and Masquers theatre group will present Bert V. Royal’s “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead” on the Wallman Hall stage.

Although the characters of the play are based on some of the familiar “Peanuts” characters, don’t let the familiar yellow shirt with a black zig zag fool you—this is not a play for children.

“Students at FSU have been pushing to do this play for quite a while,” said Peter Lach, Dean of the School of Fine Arts. “This play is popular with the younger audience because it addresses issues they face that are not necessarily brought to the attention of adults, things they face on their own. Some of these issues include sexual identity, drug use, appearance and self-image, death, bullying and language.”

 Directed by Jeffrey Ingman, Assistant Professor of Theatre, performances are planned for 7:30 p.m. April 29 and 30 and May 4, 5, 6 and 7 and at 2 p.m. May 1 in Wallman Hall Theatre. Tickets are $10 and may be obtained by contacting the Box Office at (304) 367-4240. The play contains adult themes and situations and is not intended for children.

Cast members are Jenn Scholtz, a Theatre major from Bunker Hill as Charlie Brown’s sister; Jeremiah Ripley, a Theatre major from Wheeling as C.B.; and Jay Lindsay, a Pre-Theatre major from Morgantown as Matt; Anthony Host, a Theatre major from Fairmont as Van; Tyler Kovar, a Pre-Theatre major from Farmington as Beethoven; Sami Dull, a Theatre major from Weston as Tricia; Cate Smith, a Pre-Theatre major from Baker as Marcy; and Kayla Alred, a Pre-Theatre major from Pineville as Van’s sister.

When CB’s dog dies from rabies, CB begins to question the existence of an afterlife. His best friend is too burnt out to provide any coherent speculation; his sister has gone Goth; his ex-girlfriend has recently been institutionalized; and his other friends are too inebriated to give him any sort of solace. A chance meeting with an artistic kid, the target of this group’s bullying, offers CB a peace of mind and sets in motion a friendship that will push teen angst to the very limits. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion and sexual identity collide and careen toward an ending that’s both haunting and hopeful.

Peter LachSchool of Fine ArtsDog Sees God