DOGFIGHT at the Second Stage Theatre

The Second Stage Theatre which brought us EVERYDAY RAPTURE & NEXT to NORMAL has another mega hit on their hands.  BRAVO!  I knew the basic storyline based on the the  1991 film by Bob Comfort:  soon to be shipped off marines wagger a bet, who can bring the ugliest female out on a mock date.  You can bet that feelings are going to be demolished, but it is amazing how very raw & real the emotions were played out on stage.   As Rose, the innocent and naive heroine who falls for Eddie's false intentions says, "people are just cruel."  Rose, while licking her wounds consoles herself after being humiliated, that for awhile she was made to feel pretty and that she will wake up and go on with her life.  Herein lies the pathos we feel for the cruel but naive young men who are headed to Vietnam; many to lose their lives.  These men who did return, believed they would be harolded as heroes only to feel hatred.  The acting and singing by the 2 leads, Linsay Mendez as Rose and Derek Klena as Eddie is truly wonderful.  I must sing the praises of the entire cast.  The music/lyrics by Pasek and Paul is poignant and entertaining.  The staging and choreography with minimal space was colassal.  DOGFIGHT deserves a huge audience and many accolades, but I would like it to remain as is; on a small stage.