Eric Samuel Romero, Anna M. Schloerb, Kimberly Richardson, Zachary David Hodgkins, Julia Diaz, and Cooper Lajeunesse Photo by Kaitlin Randolph

It is difficult to distance my viewing of this production from the turmoil that is happening in Minneapolis right now. The first production I was slated to attend was cancelled due to the shooting of Alex Pretti a half mile from the CTC building. As noted in the program notes by Artistic Director Rich Dildine, CTC has a "proud history of creating a bilingual work that embraces the full richness of our community." It makes me angry that in our current environment the idea of embracing your community has become a political statement.

Perhaps you're experiencing similar feelings of anger or sadness regarding the situation in Minnesota right now. Maybe you have somehow not felt the ramifications of the enormous presence of armed federal agents in our state. Either way, I wholeheartedly recommend this creative, silly, joyful production performed by an ensemble of true clowns in the best sense of the world. Kimberly Richardson is no stranger to Twin Cities' theatregoers and lends all her eccentric movement to the leader of the silliness, MC Dog. Ensemble members Julia Diaz, Zachary David Hodgkins, Cooper Lajeunesse, Eric Romero, Anna M. Schloerb, and even musicians Victor Zupanc and Joe Cruz, gamely join in as roller-skating, bike-ridging, scootering, baseball-playing, swimming and car racing dogs.

Scenic designer Sara Ryung Clement keeps the stage mostly bare and white with pops of color from revolving doors and fun pieces brought in, such as when the dogs are on their bright trees or going to bed. Costume designer Danielle Nieves keeps costumes vibrant and playful, while honoring the increasingly ridiculous hats worn by the pink dog in the book. Paul Whitaker's lighting design is very specific, and there were a couple times some actors had difficulty finding their light at the performance I attended. One particular footlight at the front of the stage is used for a terrific and surprising shadow puppet sequence.

I attended this production with my four-year-old, who is very familiar with the book and wanted to see everything from the book on stage. His request was mostly satisfied and after the first couple of minutes he became accustomed to the bilingual nature of the production. If you're familiar with the book, you know the language is very repetitive and preschool level. The joy of this production is in the audience engagement and the fun visual effects.

Lately I keep pondering the phrase "joy is a form of resistance." Historian Heather Cox Richardson said, "Authoritarianism cannot rise if there are strong communities and people are acting with joy." Every time I attend a production at CTC, I feel grateful that we have this theatre company in our community. This production of Go, Dog. Go! Ve Perro ¡Ve! affirms the strength of a community intent on spreading joy.

Go, Dog. Go! Ve Perro ¡Ve! runs through February 22, 2026, at Children's Theatre Company, UnitedHealth Group Stage, 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis MN. For tickets and information, please call 612-874-0400 or visit childrenstheatre.org.