Dogs of Rwanda

See it if You enjoy great storytelling. The subject can be quite dark and disturbing (genocide) he weaves a story you can get lost in-and learn from.

Don't see it if You’re looking for light and fluffy.

See it if you are interested in the long-term effects of traumatic violence.

Don't see it if you cannot bear to experience graphic descriptions of violence.

Also “Dogs of Rwanda” is a tough play to write about as a play. There were 3 or 4 moments during the performance when its solo performer, Dan Hodge, seemed so overwrought telling his tale that I wasn’t sure he could go on. A white American teen visiting Rwanda, the girl from home that he has a crush on & a young Rwandan who seeks their help are caught up in the genocide of 1994. But of course Hodge went on. This 1-man show is not a true personal tale but scripted by a playwright. Those incapacitating moments of true feeling were acted, I think. The story the play tells is harrowing, but also a mess. It begins with a long Hawaiian prelude that seems beside the point. Then lots of chopped-up narrative cuts between Rwanda in 1994 & today. The barbarities of 1994 have left the narrator’s trio of characters still seeking justice & forgiveness—but specifics are hard to grasp. Which leaves an audience those extraordinary moments of true feeling. Faked, but then, that’s theater.... Read more Read less

See it if You appreciate one man story telling.

Don't see it if You don't like solo shows.

See it if You’d like to hear an engaging story of forgiveness that is set during the 100 day Rwandan genocide accompanied by the talking drum.

Don't see it if You don’t want to be reminded of a tragic event in African history.

See it if you are interested in the Rwanda genocide, morality issues and people, psychologically, dealing with guilt and it's consequences.

Don't see it if you expect intense feelings of horror and sympathy from dealing with the topic of an atrocity such as the Rwandan genocide.

See it if you enjoy story telling or book readings. It's really more like those than a play.

Don't see it if you're expecting interaction between characters

See it if you want to learn more about the Rwandan genocide through the eyes of an outsider

Don't see it if you don't enjoy solo shows, especially ones with audience interaction, or are distracted by onstage musicians.

See it if If you want to know how bad things can really get.

Don't see it if You have nightmares

See it if This flashback story about a trip to Rwanda finds heft more in the situation and country than the actual story told engagingly by the actor.

Don't see it if One-man shows can run from eye-rolling to ultimate adoration. This falls pretty much in the center where the setting overshadows the story.

See it if you like one man shows, especially about tough topics. Live music.

Don't see it if You don't like one man shows. You're looking for light and fluffy.

See it if This very emotional and personal story of redemption is revealed by the adult obsessed by the murder and the violence he had witnessed

Don't see it if You like ensemble plays.

Also as a tanager in April 1994, at the beginning of the Rwandan genocide.
The acting is electrifying, and the musical accompaniment is able to sustain the powerful images and emotions depicted.... Read more Read less

See it if The subject is compelling. The Rwandan genocide from one man’s personal experience. Imaginative use of drum to score the show. I saw the

Don't see it if You can’t stand another one actor show. You know nothing about the Rwandan genocide. You must have an intermission. You only like musicals

Also last preview. I’m sure the show will get better with time. Good lighting and projections make a small show in a small theatre seem larger. The lead actor is good. At ninety minutes with no intermission he has to be. I wanted him to have more colors in his crayon box and to raise the stakes. Work-in-progress.... Read more Read less

See it if You want to see a one man show about Rwandan genocide. Sound effects and drumming by the drummer is very good. Well written story.

Don't see it if Don't want to see a bleak one man show.

See it if you want to show your support for Rwandan genocide survivors. You want to see a genocide story onstage that's not graphic.

Don't see it if you've seen/read genocide stories before & expect to be changed by this one, tho the revelation at the end about the survivor is important.

Also Wish it weren't so, but I left this play unsatisfied & unmoved. The main character was a 16 yr old US teen who didn't seem to learn/grow despite living thru the genocide's start 10+ yrs ago. His biggest revelation seems to be that he's still in love w/his ex. Seriously, that's it?!

This shed no new light for me on the Rwanda tragedy. Maybe if you've heard fewer stories, this would be insightful. Still, I applaud DoR for raising awareness of & empathy for Rwandan genocide victims & people everywhere in such horrific situations.

Live musician/composer Abou Lion Diarra is great.

**SPOILERS**
1. God's Blessing (a local survivor) asked the lead abt his ex: "Were you good to each other?" Good Q.
2. GB killed a boy to save his own life. The lead's well-meaning omission of this in his retelling of the story denies GB the public judgment he needs to forgive himself for this murder. Most important point in the play, but like all else, it's overshadowed by the lead's past love story (why??).... Read more Read less

See it if You want an intense show that will make you think.

Don't see it if You don't want anything that is topical and thought provoking.

See it if you like one person narrative plays about an historical event (plus ethnic musical accompaniment).

Don't see it if you've hard a long and tiring day.

See it if you are interested in the horror of genocide in general, or in Rwanda in particular. As well as redemption/forgiveness. Musician-fabulous.

Don't see it if learning of the horror of genocide is too painful. One-character shows bore you.

See it if you are interested in being exposed to challenges abroad and learning some difficult things.

Don't see it if if you dont like one man shows or need a lot of action.

See it if You are interested in the manifestations of trauma.

Don't see it if You seek new insights into the causes of genocide and Rwandan history.

See it if You like well acted one man shows that are based on historical events such as the Rwandan genocide and the subjects of guilt and memory

Don't see it if You have no interest in guilt, coming to terms with youthful mistakes or genocide

See it if You want to be enthralled by a one man performance around an engrossing and human story of Rwanda

Don't see it if You want a light comedy or musical.

See it if You enjoy being told a unique story. A beautiful atmosphere was created on the small stage. The actor very good indeed -

Don't see it if You have no patience for a one man play about an unusual and violent story in Rwanda

See it if You are interested in world events, like great simple staging, a strong story

Don't see it if You don't like one man shows.

See it if You like good storytelling

Don't see it if Don’t like one man plays

See it if you want a thoughtful exploration of forgiveness, blame and the repercussions of genocide. It's dark at times, but not too heavy.

Don't see it if you require brilliant writing (script could use tightening/a little more clarity in what it's trying to achieve), or don't like 1-man shows

Also The drummer ("Musician") was excellent and a great addition to the show.... Read more Read less