INTERVIEW: ‘Rescue Rue’ is for animal lovers of all ages
Photo: From left, Lisa Helmi Johanson and Caitlin Kinnunen star in Rescue Rue, a new family-friendly musical. Photo courtesy of Jeremy Daniel / Provided by Off Off PR with permission.
Rescue Rue, the new family-friendly musical playing at DR2 Theatre in New York City, features puppets and live actors bringing to life a delightful tale of a little dog named Rue in search of her “Furever” home. The show, created by Emmy winner Stacey Weingarten, stars a variety of accomplished performers, including Caitlin Kinnunen, Tony-nominated for her role in Broadway’s The Prom.
Like many other shows in the Big Apple, Rescue Rue has been impacted by the rise in COVID infections due to the Omicron variant. The musical’s creative team decided to take a holiday hiatus, but they plan to return Jan. 7, with the performers fully masked, which is a new solution to the pandemic. Also, the show extended performances until Jan. 30.
Weingarten wrote the book and additional lyrics for the show, and she’s also the director. Her previous work includes the digital series Monica’s Mixing Bowl, the short films Cone of Fame and Beach Day, and work with the Jim Henson Co. She also teaches puppetry at Pace University. Joining her on this rescue adventure is composers and lyricists Kate Steinberg, Joshua Zecher-Ross, Angela Parrish and Dana Aliya Levinson.
In addition to The Prom, Kinnunen has appeared on Broadway in The Bridges of Madison County and Spring Awakening. Her film and TV credits include everything from The Intern to Sweet Little Lies. Both Weingarten and Kinnunen exchanged emails with Hollywood Soapbox about Rescue Rue. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
What inspired you to create this show?
WEINGARTEN: Put very simply, my pup and how she rescued me. I could not believe that such a perfect pup — perfect for me — could have her days numbered in a kill shelter, and that she found me exactly when I needed her thanks to the help of the Badass Animal Rescue in Brooklyn. Not only was she so sweet and snuggly, a loveable weirdo, but from day one would jump into a travel bag to come wherever I was going, no training required — aka my dream doggo. The subway didn’t phase her, and she quickly became a favorite visitor of the Jim Henson Company’s NY Workshop. So, I wondered what Rue’s story was and how I could be so lucky for her to be mine, and I started piecing together her story from the clues I knew (where she was picked up, habits and mannerisms, how underweight she was at first). She had to have a Fairy Dogmother who helped guide her to me … and since my medium of choice is musicals, what was originally a short story quickly became a musical!
What do you believe are the important takeaways from experiencing Rescue Rue?
WEINGARTEN: There are two important takeaways from Rescue Rue. The first takeaway, the obvious one, that furever friends are waiting for you in your local shelters. These animals are wonderful and waiting to love and be loved. Some require more patience than others, but all of them are equally worthy of a loving home and are just waiting for the right fit. (Rue herself took time to blossom; at first pulling like crazy to get into every doorway while walking our NYC neighborhood and not barking for several months.) The second takeaway is a series of social-emotional lessons, not the least of which: Life’s about finding your happy beginnings, not endings — and sometimes you’ve got to find them yourself. So many childhood fairytales are obsessed with “and they all lived happily ever after,” but that’s not how life works. Life requires patience, persistence, proactivity. And every ending is a new beginning. Take each step in stride.
How do you know the story and jokes will work for young theatergoers? How do you enter their mind and bring the story to their level?
WEINGARTEN: Honestly, I’m a big kid at heart. As a kid I was an old soul (grew up on I Love Lucy reruns) — so the result is I’m self-aware that who I am, at my core, is the same as ever it was. I think it’s true for many of us; that we’re all just a bunch of kids inside, and whether we let it show is another thing. Me? I never outgrew my Disney phase. I still play with puppets (only now it’s for places like Sesame Street). So, I work in children’s media on shows that I hope will help today’s kids the way that I felt media helped me. I vividly remember a lot of my childhood, and that includes my philosophy: Kids are little human beings not just “little kids.” Treat them with respect — whether in life or in storytelling — and they will listen and learn. Even as a kid, I couldn’t stand media that talked down to me; kids are extremely intuitive and should be given the credit they’re due. So while, sure, you have to present the story in a way that can be clearly understood, you don’t need to be simplistic about it. (In fact, it’s better if adults can enjoy the piece as well — co-viewing means co-learning). My favorite example: “Genuflect” is used in a lyric in Disney’s Aladdin. Did I know what that meant, as a Jewish kindergartener in New Jersey? No way. But it wasn’t essential to my understanding of the story at large, and from context clues, I figured it out … eventually.
What do you like about this show and your character of Alex?
KINNUNEN: This show is so full of heart and courage. It really encourages you to find your own path and to never settle. The role of Alex is amazing to play because her love of storytelling and animals almost matches my own! I get to show up as close to myself as I ever have on stage.
Is it different playing for an audience with young theatergoers?
KINNUNEN: Yes, but in the most amazing ways. They are there with you every step of the way. You can’t sneak anything by them. Seeing the wonder and joy in their eyes is quite possibly one of the best experiences.
Do you look back fondly at your time in The Prom? What was that experience like?
KINNUNEN: I really do. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had. The people, the story, the music … all of it meant so much to me. It was an honor to be a part of and to grow though.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Rescue Rue, created by Stacey Weingarten and starring Caitlin Kinnunen, returns with masked performers Jan. 7 and continues until Jan. 30. Click here for more information and tickets.
