Productions

The musical opened on July 16, 2012 at the Second Stage Theatre, after previews from June
27, and concluded its limited run on August 19. The show was directed by Joe Mantello and
choreographed by Christopher Gattelli. Its original production starred Lindsay Mendez as Rose.
Derek Klena as Eddie, and Josh Segarra as Boland. The cast also included Nick Blaemire,
Annaleigh Ashford, Steven Booth, Becca Ayers, Adam Halpin, Dierdre Friel, F. Michael Haynie,
and James Moye. David Zinn designed sets and costumes and Paul Gallo designed the lights.
The show received rave reviews for its writers and for leading lady Lindsay Mendez's
performance.[2]
The original cast recording was released on April 30, 2013.[3]
Dogfight engaged with specific socio-cultural issues that existed in the 1960s. Theater critic Ben
Brantley highlighted how military glory, which leads to the perceived invincibility of the Marines,
resulted in their obsession with the dogfight. During the Vietnam War, patriarchal Americans
treated the Marines as if they were superior, shown by the actions of the Dogfight, a degrading
and humiliating ritual for women.[4] Rose is an important female character to the show she
represents the change in America for women during the 1960s. She anticipates that something
is changing in the world and we see her strength after she discovers the true nature of the
Dogfight, demonstrating the empowerment of women during this era. [5]

Other productions
Dogfight played at the Southwark Playhouse in London from August 8, 2014, through
September 13, 2014, in a production directed by Matt Ryan and starring Laura Jane
Matthewson as Rose and Jamie Muscato as Eddie.[6]
The first New York regional production played White Plains Performing Arts Center September
1921, 2014,[7] produced by WPPAC and the Harrison Summer Theatre.
On April 9, 2015 the European Amateur Premiere of Dogfight opened at the Arena Theatre,
Wolverhampton, England. Directed by Adam Lacey, Musically directed by Jack Hopkins and
Choreographed by Pippa Lacey (Assisted by Amber Lloyd and Anna Forster).
The Australian premiere is presented by Neil Gooding Productions in association with the Hayes
Theatre Co, Sydney, opening on May 1, 2015, with direction by Neil Gooding.[8]
The first fully translated production of Dogfight will be in Dutch and opens on June 11, 2015 at
the M-Lab theatre in Amsterdam.[9]
The San Francisco premiere of Dogfight opened on September 22, 2015 at San Francisco
Playhouse, with direction by Bill English.[10]
On October 2, 2015 Dogfight made its New Zealand premiere at Auckland Music Theatre, with
direction by Katie Flood.[11]
The Oklahoma premiere of "Dogfight" opened on January 23, 2015 at Upstage Theatre, with
direction by Patrick Towne, and music direction by Joey Harbert.