Opening Night -Friday, June 1st- Article in CT Post

Check out today's article in the CT Post on Bobby Dogs!

http://www.connpost.com/fastsearchresults
ndependent film shows Fairfield talent
MEG BARONE, Correspondent
Article Last Updated: 06/01/2007 12:03:53 AM EDT

FAIRFIELD — A truly talented actor does not impersonate a character so much as inhabit that being.
Mike Boland is a talented actor. The Fairfield native, who has already won praise for his professional and community theater stage work, is getting rave reviews for his portrayal of Bobby Tucker in the independent, full-length feature film "Bobby Dogs," shot entirely in Fairfield and Bridgeport last summer.
Audiences will recognize lots of local landmarks — Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Bravo restaurant, First Presbyterian Church, the old Driftwood lounge, which since has closed and the Super Duper Weenie truck, which figures prominently in the plot. The famed hotdog stand's owner, Gary Zemola, makes a cameo appearance in the Brooklawn Productions' movie.
The world premiere screening of "Bobby Dogs" is set for 7:30 p.m. today at the Fairfield Community Theatre, 1424 Post Road, where audiences will be able to meet Boland, Glory Gallo of Stratford, and the rest of the cast, as well as Tom Reilly, the screenwriter and director, and Rob Lynch, who composed the film's score. Both men are also Fairfield residents.
The film follows the story of Bobby, a recovering alcoholic who struggles with his own personal demons and those imposed on him by society through unscrupulous creditors and others who feed his self doubts. Ultimately, Bobby triumphs but the plot is not as predictable as one might suspect.
"Hopefully it's an aspiring message that people, even withserious struggles, can overcome them. But we packaged a serious topic in an entertaining format," Reilly said. Anyone who has been through a struggle will be able to relate to the character of Bobby and to Boland, he said.
"Mike is the poster boy for someone who has turned his life around," said Reilly, who first recognized Boland's talent when the actor played a bit part in Reilly's indie short "The Barbershop League."
"I've been sober for over five years now. I celebrated five years in Los Angeles on April 1st," said Boland, who was touring with a national production of the play "Twelve Angry Men" at the time. Boland had stopped performing as he dealt with his own substance abuse. "It killed my confidence and left me [as] the guy on the bar stool just dreaming about what might have been until I finally got a handle on it," Boland said.
Boland's personal experience brings an honesty and credibility to Bobby Tucker, which resonates with audiences. Television, film and Broadway star Richard Thomas, widely known for his Emmy-winning role as John Boy on "The Waltons," called the performances of Boland and his co-star Dawn McGee "honest" and said they give the film its heart and conscience. Thomas was the star of "Twelve Angry Men" during its nine-month national tour, which concluded two weeks ago.
Reilly did not want to divulge the film's budget but did say it cost "a lot more than we wanted it to but a lot less than any other film that the general public watches."
The world premiere of "Bobby Dogs" is sold out but subsequent showings are scheduled at the Fairfield Community Theatre for Saturday, 1, 4, 7 and 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1, 4 and 7 p.m. and Monday through Thursday, 7:30 p.m.