The Dog Log

Sweet, touching story of a man his neighbor and dogs.... full review

THE DOG LOG is a truly funny and touching one man show about grieving love and finding family in unexpected places. This clever and playful piece was adapted from the storyteller’s memoir, condensing over 70,000 words into under 10,000–a mighty task in a few different ways, but skillfully done nonetheless. As an audience member, at first I felt some distance from the performer, I think because of the nature of the original text being penned for readers rather than listeners—but when emotion strikes, Richard comes to the forefront as a skilled actor and the audience is with him all the way through. It’s a sharp and thoughtful show, an intimate human experience in the Broadwater studio. Thanks to smart direction, the way the small space is... full review

https://giaonthemove.com/2025/06/26/hff25-the-dog-log-reviewed/... full review

Richard takes you on a unique journey of discovery, human compassion, and animal companionship through a touching, humorous, and authentic performance. Based on his bestselling memoir, The Dog Log, the show captures a first-person look at living next door to a barking dog and perspectives on life in LA. The show is intelligent, interlaced with literary works, yet speaks to the commoner and is easily relatable. The writing is so descriptive that invisible objects come to life during the performance. Under the keen, insightful direction of Bruno Oliver, Richard's stellar, natural performance engages the audience and makes use of the space brilliantly. Don't let the title fool you, this show is not only for dog lovers, but for anyone who has ev... full review

Richard Lucas’s solo stage adaptation of his memoir of life living next to a barking yorkie starts out as a caustic comedy and stealthily evolves into a heartfelt examination of unexpected friendships and the whimsical vagaries of life and love. Bruno Oliver’s direction is crisp and unfussy giving Lucas ample room to breathe life into each scene and character. But don’t get me wrong, this brisk piece is laugh out loud funny and will leave you with a wide smile and perhaps a sniffle or two for good measure. It’s selling out fast, so catch it if you can.... full review

Short and sweet, a fun show. Richard Lucas takes a simple personal scenario and adds complexity to it, giving a subtle and standout performance. Richard is talking to us throughout the show, storytelling and making the other characters come to life, and keeping us engaged. Really well done Fringe show!... full review

This was an INTENSELY personal show… (writer ) Richard, Lucas and (director) Bruno Oliver collaborated beautifully here to lay bare warts and on the ultra intimate Broadwater’s Studio stage, a portrait of flailing humanity, all underscored by an incessant “yipping” that drills through your intestines like ringworm. This device which only further delivers you to a state of total empathy, amidst Richard Lucas‘s unrelenting story of annoyance, desolation, redemption,… The mental imagery is constant as Lucas never met an analogy he didn’t like - not to say that they are frivolous. Nothing is frivolous here. Not a moment wasted, and his inner-life explodes through his poetic prose with humor and heart. And that is the highest compliment I can giv... full review

Smart, funny and courageous! Richard Lucas takes us on a poignant, hilarious and heart-tugging journey of transformation through his relationship with a neighbor and her incessantly barking dog. So well done! Grab the few tickets left at the Festival!... full review

A charming story of foes to friends, "The Dog Log" combines clever dark humor with a sweet sensibility of finding love from very unexpected places. ... full review

Excellent comedic storytelling!... full review