Superdogs trainer Seanna O'Neil with Luna the Russian wolfhound runs through an optical course in preparation for four performances, starting today at the Bell Centre.
Thirteen years ago, Leonard Chase let his life go to the dogs, and he couldn't be happier.
Chase, 55, was running a chain of waterbed stores in Montreal and was known around town as "Mr. Bon Nuit" for the character he played in television commercials for the chain.
Then, in 1991, his life changed when he hooked up with promoter Herb Williams, who had founded Superdogs, a performing dog show.
"The Cirque de Soleil was coming out, I'd always liked dogs, and I thought we could do something new," Chase said.
So, Mr. Bon Nuit became Captain Woof. Chase started playing country fairs and trade shows with his Superdog show.
"At first no one took us seriously as first-class entertainment. Then, after four years, we got our first reviews in the papers and on television and the rest is history."
The Superdogs return to the Bell Centre today with a new show for four performances.
So far, 16,000 tickets were sold.
Chase said that means more Montrealers will see his dogs than the 14,000 who saw Britney Spears last Sunday.
The two-hour extravaganza, Woof Rock 'n' Roll. include acts by Woffie Guthrie, Chuck Hairy, Joe Cocker Spaniel, and the Beagles.
"The dogs perform to rock 'n' roll tunes from the '50s," Chase said.
"Kids don't know the music, but they get to see their parents let loose. It's a great way for families to have fun together."
The dogs in the show are the personal pets of their trainers.
About 20 trainers and 40 dogs will be doing what Chase described as "athletics, not tricks."
Several of the dogs in today's show, such as Luna the Russian wolfhound, are stars of a forthcoming $6.5-million movie, Daniel and the Superdogs to be released next year.
Some of the humans in the movie including Macha Grenon and Matthew Arbour will be on hand.
