Lori Benkert could have picked a happy, feel-good play for her directorial debut with Kauai Community Players.
She could have went with a light comedy, sure to leave you smiling.
But she wanted something with more impact — even if it means a few audience members walk out.
Not that “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead,” doesn’t have some laughs. But it also has strong language, adult content, a rawness that’s not going to be easy to hear or see.
“There’s no holds barred,” Benkert said. “We pretty much talk about every subject matter there is. Pretty much, it’s in your face — but it’s also touching.”
The play that opens tonight at the Puhi Theatrical Warehouse covers some cringe-worthy subjects. Try drug use, sexual identity, bullying, rebellion, teen violence, drinking and suicide.
It’s not your typical wholesome family show and it’s not for young keiki.
That the stage characters are based on our good friend Charlie Brown and the gang, now in their teen years, might make it even more sensitive. And they swear, often.
But don’t, Benkert says, leave early, which she believes some might.
“You need to see the play in its entirety. If you walk out at intermission, you will lose the message,” she said.
“It’s very raw, but it also has a really good sense of humor in it,” Benkert said. “It has this beacon of hope and beacon of yes, the world is OK, at the end. But you don’t get that unless you get the whole thing.
“We kind of rip you apart and then put you back together,” she added, laughing.
The play written by Bert V. Royal premiered in 2004. It centers around CB (Charlie Brown). CB is sad about the death of his beloved dog. That leads to questions about his sexuality and then to a love relationship with Beethoven.
Each character has their own issues, flaws, dreams, goals and secrets. There’s anger and kindness. Depression and joy. Darkness and hope — things that happen with teens on a daily basis.
School shootings are among the subjects it takes on.
“It’s really ripped from today’s headlines,” Benkert said.
She saw Dog Sees God several years ago while living in Anchorage, Alaska. she didn’t know what it was about, but her son was in it, so she went. She loved it.
“The first time I ever saw it I laughed out loud and cried real tears,” she said.
Lori and husband Jim Benkert moved to Kauai about five years ago from Alaska, where she was also involved in community theater. She’s been involved with KCP in many roles, including assistant director. This is her first time directing and she knows she’s taking a bit of a chance with Dog Sees God.
“It’s taken me three years to convince the board to let me do it,” she said, smiling.
She is confident it will be worth the risk.
“The play has such great undertones. If you come in and look at the first couple of scenes, you will be shocked,” she said. “Once you get through, see the end, it’s touching and has great meaning and feeling.”
Regardless of whether it’s positive or negative feedback, she wants one thing: To get people talking about the challenges teens are facing today, and talking about what can be done to help them.
Her eight-member cast, mostly teens, takes it all on with maturity, she said.
“I’m super proud of these kids,” Benkert said.
Opening night is sold out and tickets have sold well for this weekend’s shows.
Taj Gutierrez, 17, plays Beethoven, who tries to help CB, a gay student being bullied in high school. They end up falling in love. Such a relationship at that age is bound to endure torment and derision. But there is also understanding and acceptance.
“An important part is that everyone loves each other for who they are,” he added.
Chloe Rudinoff, 17, plays Sally, CB’s sister. She goes from goth to gangster and other personas trying to find herself.
“Just because she’s different or changing doesn’t mean she’s wrong or inferior,” Rudinoff said.
Felix Cosmann, 16, plays the lead role of CB, who faces an identity crisis when his dog dies and is trying to figure out where he stands — what he stands for.
“It’s trying to figure out where I’m going as a person and a lot of these characters help me get there,” he said.
He admits there is some vulgarity within their message and some in the audience may not approve. If so, well, “that means we’re doing our jobs” to start the conversation about being a teenager today, he said.
Gutierrez called it an “essential show” to address difficult-to-discuss subjects about being a teenager.
“It’s not sugarcoated at all. We’re not hiding it,” he said.
Gutierrez has played humorous and lighter roles, but wanted to do more, so he took on this role in Dog Sees God.
“I believe theater is about telling a story and sending out a message, making people go home and think about what they just witnessed,” he said.
”In this show I feel like every character has a story to tell, and a message,” he said
Rudinoff called Dog Sees God, a “real” show.
“Swearing is very real amongst teenagers. Having sex is very real amongst teenagers,” she said.
Not agreeing with people is very real.”
Some, she said, have expressed surprise teens are playing such parts.
“In reality, why not? We are 17, 16, 18, we’re playing exactly real life and it shows.”
