Animal antics | Act with ‘talking dog’ brings out laughs at theater
No bones about it: Irving “the Talking Dog” never shows one iota of stage fright.
With his owner, Todd Oliver, the lines fly from the 6-year-old Boston terrier nightly during “One the Show,” at the Alabama Theatre, in Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach. After they walk together on stage, Irving goes leashless in his own seat.
The pair will continue with their skits through Oct. 26, but will be out of town Sept. 27-Oct. 1. Animals star on stage and in the limelight at several places across the Grand Strand, especially on the equestrian end year round at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament.
Look for a lot more from Irving besides maybe singing the trademark line from “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?” at the Alabama Theatre. He’s quite the bouncing board for punch lines.
A crowd with people of all ages at the first show of this month laughed out loud during Oliver and Irving’s eight-minute skit. Asked what he thinks “of Myrtle Beach,” Irving will get frank from envisioning a female: “I don’t know. Where is she sitting?”
When the subject turns to who scratches whose back, Irving voices his approval, never mind dealing with fleas: “That’s good; I like it.”
Theatergoers flocked around Oliver and Irving for photos during the whole intermission. Again, Irving looked used to the whole setting, never flinching with nerves.
With mic in hand, Oliver also got serious for just seconds, reminding the audience about the mutual benefits of adopting a pet. “They know it,” he said, speaking for so many pets in need of a home getting a second, or only, chance.
Speaking more leisurely a few hours before another show, Oliver said his 17-pound sidekick’s favorite treats are bites of cheese, American and Cheez-Its.
“He loves anything that comes out of the refrigerator,” Oliver said. “You have to watch it.”
Oliver declared Irving isn’t a show dog. He’s never attended a “live dog show” to pick up points and ribbons at a kennel club gathering to meet his breed’s standard.
“He’s a personal pet,” Oliver said as Irving dozed beside him on a couch. “He’s my dog that comes and does the show with me.”
Irving is one of three dogs at home in Saddlebrooke, Mo., along with two “good ranch dogs” found on a roadside and welcomed into the family.
Outside of the show, when he and Irving visit school assemblies, Oliver shares a “subtle message: about using time wisely and amassing skills and talents to use as adults.
“That’s what happened to me,” Oliver said, voicing the path that ventriloquism paved for him.
Frequenting the local library often as a child and fatherless from age 10, Oliver said “my dreams have come true” since that time and first “working my act for free, and the audience is a great teacher.”
“You get a great education when you volunteer,” Oliver said of visiting schools, building on many years of school assemblies and visiting places such as a Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Paul, Minn.
Oliver also voiced the importance for “families to laugh together,” such as on a picnic or watching entertainment.
“My folks were always laughing when I was a kid,” he said, remembering that although his father, an airline mechanic, endured three strokes and lost his expression of vocabulary, “he never lost that sense of humor.”
Oliver has performed on various TV series and shows, including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “Late Show with David Letterman,” the latter for which he was among five featured ventriloquists taking turns in one week.
A TV pilot with Irving, “Todd Oliver & Friends,” is being pitched (www.funnydog.com) to networks for a series, and Netflix carries “Todd Oliver: Funny Dog.”
He has enjoyed this summer in a setting among a “top notch” cast at the Alabama Theatre he praised repeatedly, adding to his resume of performing around the world, “the Bahamas and Tokyo included.”
Having grown up in the 1960s and ’70s, Oliver said that era provided more venues for entertainers to work their craft.
“A live show in a theater is a new experience for a lot of people,” he said, “because they’re used to viewing entertainment on phones, computers and television.”
Oliver also pointed out how a few minutes twice in a revue such as “One the Show” – amid genres of hit songs such as Chicago’s “Saturday in the Park”; the Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”; Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September”; and “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables” – provide a different challenge in building “a relationship with the audience,” hence the need to connect and “work fast” with a routine.
“The great thing for a ventriloquist,” Oliver quipped, “is you get to see what the dummy has to say.”
Contact STEVE PALISIN at 843-444-1764.
Animals on stage await
Todd Oliver and Irving ‘the Talking Dog’
IN: “One the Show”
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sundays-Fridays through Oct. 26
WHERE: Alabama Theatre, at Barefoot Landing, on U.S. 17 in North Myrtle Beach.
HOW MUCH: $35.95, $43.80 or $49.25 ages 17 and older, or $17.95 ages 16 and younger
ALSO: “Locals Appreciation Shows,” with buy-one-get-one ticket-free deal, for residents of nine proximate counties – including Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick – with ID, through Oct. 2, with offer “58LS.”
NOTE: Todd Oliver and Irving are scheduled to be out of town Sept. 27-Oct. 1, and back in shows as of Oct. 2.
GUEST CONCERTS: 7 p.m. Saturdays:
▪ Ray Stevens, Sept. 19, for $49.95, $56.95 or $64.95.
▪ The Oak Ridge Boys, Sept. 26. $40.95, $48.95 or $56.95.
▪ Kenny Rogers, Oct. 3. $54.95, $62.95 or $73.95.
▪ “John Mueller’s ’50s Dance Party – The Official Tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper,” Oct. 10. $29.95, $34.95, or $39.95.
▪ The Platters, Clyde McPhatter’s Drifters, and The Coasters, Oct. 17. $34.95, $42.95 or $48.95.
▪ Loretta Lynn, Oct. 24. $44.95, $53.95 or $62.95.
INFORMATION: 843-272-1111, 800-342-2262 or www.alabama-theatre.com, and www.funnydog.com
See jousting on horses
WHERE: Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, 2904 Fantasy Way, close to U.S. 501 and George Bishop Parkway, just west of Myrtle Beach and the Intracoastal Waterway
Shows | Schedule through November –
▪ 6 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays through Sept. 27, and on Oct. 2-4, 6-11, 14-18, 21-25 and 29-31; and Nov. 3, 5-7, 13-14, 20-25 and 28.
▪ 11:30 a.m. Oct. 22, and Nov. 12 and 14.
▪ 5 p.m. Nov. 26-27
▪ 7:30 p.m. Nov. 27.
HOW MUCH: Plus tax and fees, regularly $54.95 ages 13 and older, and $26.95 ages 3-12.
SPECIAL OFFERS: Through Sept. 30, all plus tax and fees –
▪ 20th anniversary celebration: $39.95 ages 13 and older, and $21.95 ages 3-12, with code “C145WEB.”
▪ SC. Residents Locals’ special, discounts of 50 and 20 percent off respective regular adult and child rates, with code “RSWEB15”; not valid with online purchase.
ALSO: Free admission for children ages 2 and younger on a parent’s lap.
INFORMATION: 843-236-4635, 800-436-4386, 888-935-6878 (WE-JOUST) or www.medievaltimes.com/myrtlebeach.aspx
Other spotlights on animals
Ripley’s Aquarium
INCLUDING: “Planet Jellies” exhibit, opened in June, and “Slime” temporary exhibit.
WHERE: At Broadway at the Beach, on 29th Avenue North, between U.S. 17 Bypass and Robert M. Grissom Parkway in Myrtle Beach
OPEN: 9 a.m. daily, until 10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and 9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays:
HOW MUCH: Plus tax – $23.99 ages 12 and older (or save $2 advance online from this adult rate), $15.99 ages 6-11, and $6.99 ages 2-5, and free ages 1 and younger.
LOCAL DISCOUNT: Half off for residents Horry, Georgetown and Brunswick counties with ID.
DIVE SHOWS: Daily in –
▪ Rainbow Rock tank – 11 a.m. and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 p.m.
▪ Ray Bay, noon and 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. (mermaid shows at noon and 2 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays)
INFORMATION: 843-916-0888, 800-734-8888 or www.ripleysaquarium.com
Myrtle Beach State Park
PROGRAMS:
▪ “Reptile Rap,” 2-3 p.m. Thursdays through September, in nature center, for ages 5 and older, with a live snake on hand, in a program about turtles, lizards, alligators and snakes to show their importance in the ecosystem.
▪ “Feeding Time,” 3:30-4 p.m. Saturdays through September, and 2-2:30 Oct. 3, 10 and 24, in nature center, to watch a snake eat a mouse, and see what other hungry animals live in the building.
▪ “What Wildlife Will A-Pier?” 10-10:45 a.m. Fridays through September, and 11 a.m.-noon Oct. 6, 13 and 27, on pier, to check out what land and sea animals will turn up.
WHERE: On U.S. 17 Business, just south of city limits.
HOW MUCH: Free with admission: $5 ages 16 and older, $3.25 S.C. seniors, $3 ages 6-15. (Also, annual state park passes are $75 or $99.)
PARK OPEN: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily through November, then 6 a.m.-8 p.m. December-February
NATURE CENTER OPEN | 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays
ALSO: Each $25
▪ “Art Under the Oaks,” with guided instruction to paint mermaids in acyrlic, with choice of sessions on Sept. 27: noon-2 p.m. or 3-5 p.m.. Pre-registrer by 4 p.m. Sept. 24.
▪ “A Camping Ex-PIER-ience” overnigher in sleeping bags, not tents, 6 p.m. Oct. 17 to 7 a.m. Oct. 18, for ages 11 and older. Pre-register by Oct. 13, or email mb112sp@yahoo.com.
FOOD DRIVE: For “Hunger Takes No Vacation,” everyone’s asked to drop off unopened, non-perishable foods and goods, especially those left over from vacations and trips, to collection bins at any state park through Nov. 30. The most requested items are canned vegetables, canned meats, dry goods, peanut butter, beans, toiletries, diapers, detergents and plastic bags. All donations from Myrtle Beach and Huntington Beach state parks – the latter on U.S. 17, between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach (843-238-8755 or www.huntingtonbeachsp.com) – will be relayed to Lowcountry Food Bank, which based in North Charleston, serves 10 counties, including Horry and Georgetown (843-747-8146 or www.lowcountryfoodbank.org).
INFORMATION: 843-238-0874 or www.myrtlebeachsp.com
Huntington Beach State Park
PROGRAMS: Through October –
▪ “Alligators,” 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, on a walking tour from Atalaya.
▪ “Feeding Frenzy,” 11-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays-Sundays in nature center, which is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m those days.
▪ “Secrets of the Salt Marsh,” covering such creatures as oysters, fiddler crabs and periwinkle snails, 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays, at nature center.
▪ “Coastal Birding,” 10-11 a.m. Wednesdays, walking tour from causeway parking lot.
▪ “Beachcombing,” 10-11 a.m. Fridays from north beach parking lot.
▪ “Spineless Wonders,” 4-5 p.m. Fridays in nature center, with live animals.
▪ “Snakes and Reptiles,” 4-5 p.m. Saturdays in nature center, including touching of snakes, and feeding of one.
WHERE: On U.S. 17, between Litchfield Beach and Murrells Inlet, across from Brookgreen Gardens.
HOW MUCH: Free with admission: $5 ages 16 and older, $3.25 S.C. seniors, $3 ages 6-15. (Also, annual state park passes are $75 or $99.)
PARK OPEN: , and open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through April 5, then 6 a.m.-10 p.m. April 6 through summer.
ALSO: Overnighters, with pre-registration recommended:
▪ “Palmetto Campout,” Oct. 17-18, in tents, and with beginning camping tips, for $50 per family. Also, some tents and air mattresses available to borrow.
▪ “Atalaya Sleepover,” Nov. 14-15, for $50 ages 16 and older, $30 ages 7-15, including dinner and breakfast. Also, some tents and air mattresses available to borrow.
INFORMATION: 843-238-8755 or www.huntingtonbeachsp.com
Brookgreen Gardens
WHAT: Daily, and free with garden admission –
▪ “Mother Nature’s Cafe,” 11-11:50 a.m. and 1-1:50 p.m., with feeding of animals, in Plantation Barn along Lowcountry Trail.
▪ “Meet the Animals,” 2:30-3:15 p.m. in Lowcountry Center Program.
WHERE: Brookgreen Gardens, on U.S. 17, between Murrells Inlet and Litchfield Beach, across from Huntington Beach State Park
OPEN: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
HOW MUCH: Admission lasts seven days: $14 ages 13-64, $12 ages 65 and older, and $7 ages 4-12.
ALSO:
▪ “Whispering Wings” butterfly house open for half-hour visits daily through October, for extra $3 ages 13 and older, $2 ages 4-12, besides garden admission.
▪ “Brew at the Zoo,” annual benefit in Lowcountry Zoo for Friends of Brookgreen Gardens and new projects in gardens, 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 26, with entertainment by Bullfrog of Murrells Inlet, and more than 30 craft beers to sample. $40 ($35 members), and $15 designated drivers.
▪ National Sculpture Society 82nd annual Awards Exhibition (www.nationalsculpture.org), through Nov. 1, free with admission.
INFORMATION: 843-235-6000, 800-849-1931 or www.brookgreen.org
Animals, Canine Angels, at museum
WHAT: Schedule through December –
▪ “Puppet Plays & Story Time,” for families with preschoolers, 10:30 a.m. Fridays, also with therapy dogs from Canine Angels Service Dogs of North Myrtle Beach (917-575-6235 or www.canineangelsservicedogs.org), as special guests on Sept. 25, Oct. 9 and 23, Nov. 6 and 20, and Dec. 4 and 18.
▪ Touch-tank and aquarium feedings, 11 a.m. Fridays and Nov. 25.
WHERE: Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
MUSEUM OPEN: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays (but not Oct. 16, Nov. 26, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1), as well as Nov. 11 and 25, and Dec. 28-30.
HOW MUCH: Free with admission – $9 for ages 13-62, $8 ages 62 and older, $7 ages 3-12, and free ages 2 and younger.
INFORMATION: 910-579-1016 or www.museumplanetarium.org
Easy escapes for other aquariums
▪ N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, on U.S. 421, just south of Kure Beach. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. $10.95 ages 13-61, $9.95 seniors and military, $8.95 ages 3-12, and free ages 2 and younger. Many special programs regularly, such as “Dialog with a Diver,” 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily, and “Animal Feedings,” 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. daily, both free with admission, and tours such as going “Behind the Scenes,” by reservation only, for extra fees, which includes admission. Also, “Lorikeet Landing,” an interactive exhibit of tropical birds about 10 inches tall, continues daily through September, with a break for the birds, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Aviary admission $3. 910-458-7468 or www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher.
▪ S.C. Aquarium, 100 Aquarium Wharf, Charleston, off Calhoun Street, about 1 mile south from Meeting Street exit off U.S. 17, on west side of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge from Mount Pleasant. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through February. $24.95 ages 13 and older, $17.95 ages 3-12, and free ages 2 and younger. Also, guided tours of Sea Turtle Rescue Program hospital – managed by Kelly Thorvalson, who grew up in Georgetown – noon and 2 p.m. daily, for extra $10 ages 13 and older, $5 ages 3-12, and free ages 2 and younger – reservations recommended. 843-577-3474 (FISH), 800-722-6455 or scaquarium.org.
This story was originally published September 18, 2015 at 1:33 AM with the headline "Animal antics | Act with ‘talking dog’ brings out laughs at theater."