Campanile Center brings back a family favorite

By Laurie Lenten

Hold onto your hats – and shoes and socks for that matter – because on Saturday, April 18, a rollicking pack of performing pooches is set to bring two performances of its fast-paced comedy spectacular to the stage at the Campanile Center for the Arts in Minocqua.

“Mutts Gone Nuts,” under the human direction of Scott and Joan Houghton, is a wildly popular canine extravaganza that has toured the country bringing loads of fun, as well as a serious message, to audiences of all ages. The Maryland couple and their zany four-legged friends, all of whom are rescue dogs, encourage audiences to adopt dogs from shelters because, well, you just never know what kind of an amazing companion you might find or what kind of talent you might discover.

According to Sandy Madden, the Executive Director of the Campanile Center, Mutts Gone Nuts performed two sold out shows a couple of years ago at the center and their high-energy, fun-packed family show with a message is just the kind of entertainment she’s interested in bringing to the Northwoods.

“We don’t have a lot of opportunities for an indoor performance like this in our area,” said Madden. “This show is just fun, fun, fun. It provides lots of laughs. And when they were here last time I was surprised to see all of the inter-generational groups – grandparents and grandchildren – enjoying this show together.”

And what’s not to enjoy about watching highly-trained furry performers dance, walk tight wires, roll barrels, jump hoops, and indulge in good-natured doggy naughtiness all for a purpose?

“After the show there will be a meet and greet with the performers,” Madden said. “And an opportunity to have a photo taken with them for a donation. All of the monies raised will be donated to an area rescue shelter or group.”

Last time Mutts Gone Nuts was in town, Madden saud, the donations raised were given to The Fix Is In, which is a group that has been providing low cost spay and neutering services here in the Northwoods since 2012, and, to date, has provided services to nearly 20,000 animals in the eight-county area it serves.

“While the Fix Is In is not a rescue facility the work they do helps keep more animals from ending up in rescue shelters here in our communities,” said Madden. “And that’s a good thing.”

Mutts Gone Nuts performances will be held at 2 and 7 p.m. Advance tickets are $28 for adults and $15 for students, and $32 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at www.campanilecenter.org.

For more information on Mutts Gone Nuts or other upcoming performances, call the Campanile Center for the Arts at 715-356-9700. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Laurie Lenten is a freelance writer who lives in Rhinelander. Her articles also appear in Northwoods Commerce, Northwoods ‘boomers and Beyond and Living on the Lake magazines.