TYKEs (Theatre Young Kids Enjoy) ends its 19th season with a rousing musical called The Perfect Dog. The production is inspired by the New York Times best-selling author John O’Hurley’s book of the same name. Performed live on stage by adult professional actors at the JCC in Brighton, matinees take place on two weekends only, March 9 through 17 as follows:
Saturday, March 9 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 10 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sunday, March 17 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Tickets and more information are available at tykestheatre.org. Tickets cost $20 ($18 for JCC members).

Author John O’Hurley is perhaps best known for his award-winning role as J. Peterman on Seinfeld, and as the ultimate champion of Dancing with the Stars. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller It’s Okay to Miss the Bed on the First Jump, and serves as the host of NBC’s long-running The National Dog Show. O’Hurley was inspired to write The Perfect Dog by his then-seven-year-old son Will, who had attended several of his dad’s dog shows. Will heard the term “Best in Show,” the designation earned by the show dog judged as the winner of the competition, and asked his dad if the Best in Show dog was indeed “the perfect dog.” O’Hurley answered the question in the form of a book, which concludes: “The dog that is perfect is the one next to you.”

TYKEs’ 70-minute production features Sam, a twelve-year-old perfectionist, who is searching for a flawless dog to enter in the town’s dog contest. Unable to find a canine that measures up to her exacting standards, Sam resorts to training the family dog Max, who is more interested in chasing balls than obeying commands. The show’s lesson – presented in TYKEs’ characteristically endearing and often-hilarious manner – is that there is no such thing as perfect, but there is such a thing as being perfect for each other.

The Perfect Dog is designed for kids ages four and up, and is sponsored by Wegmans. TYKEs is also partnering with Operation Freedom Ride, a local non-profit organization that connects stray dogs and cats with loving homes. (operationfreedomride.com)

TYKEs’ productions feature adult professional actors who combine on-stage entertainment with educational messages and life lessons. TYKEs consistently ranks as the #1 Children’s Theatre Company in Rochester by KidsOutandAbout.com, and one of the top places in all of Rochester to bring kids – for the 13th consecutive year.