The Little Dog Laughed has an intriguing structure. It opens with Diane, who speaks directly to the audience. Diane is Mitchell’s Hollywood agent. We haven’t met Mitchell yet. She doesn’t really advance the plot, so much as she comments on it. Mostly, she regales us with the toxic worldview commensurate with her occupation. Her material is funny, in the grotesque sense. How many would compare crafting a mandala with shitting? Both sand and shit go out to the sea. But playwright Douglas Carter Beane is preparing us. There’s nothing wrong with a fierce talent agent, but she nurses a contempt for idealism.
Next we meet Mitchell. Mitchell is blasted, and he’s called for an escort. Not an uncommon practice. He’s opening the door to Alex, who’s pitching the role Mitchell requested. Mitch has forgotten this, and he’s groping to remember details. He graciously explains he’s beyond
following through, and (mensch that he is) will gladly pay the amount promised. Alex still offers to work his magic, but Mitchell begs of. Initially, Alex exploits his host’s inebriation, but has a change of heart. There’s a noteworthy aspect to this transaction, for both merchant and customer. Strangely enough, this speaks less about the men’s nobility, and more about character. Authenticity. Both identify as bi-sexual, but find themselves falling for each other.
When Diane discovers that Mitchell wants to share a life with Alex, she has a meltdown. Though not as you’d notice. Mitch is not just her client, they’re close friends. Of a sort. A very telling scene happens when the two have a business lunch, with a queer playwright, that we never see. Diane wants the role of the gay leading man for Mitchell. Beane takes great pains to demonstrate how the two manipulate and disparage the writer for the sin of being honorable and forthright. Much to Diane’s chagrin, Mitch reveals to the playwright that he’s gay, too. He uses it as a bargaining chip.
It’s heartening to be sure, how many actors and other celebrities have owned their same-gender sexuality in the media. But it’s no revelation, no matter how far we’ve come, the queer community might never count on decency or tolerance. Once again it seems, the barbarians are at the gate. And small, provincial towns continue to provoke hate crimes and suicide.
The Little Dog Laughed lays out a polarity that often still applies. A fulfilling personal life or the dream of success fulfilled? Diane might be seen as fighting for Mitchell’s future success. But then, does aspiration demand crucial, irrevocable sacrifices? Or is the world what we make of it? At first blush, The Little Dog Laughed might feel reductive. Simplistic. But the more we reflect, the more we consider, the easier to see the minute, intricate, toothy cogs revolving inside this gleaming pocket watch.