‘Tis the Season: Make It a Muttville Holiday!
Looking for a fun family outing this holiday season? Search no more. Muttville Senior Dog Rescue is partnering with Marin Theatre to present the West Coast premiere of The Gift of Nothing, a heartwarming musical based on Patrick McDonnell’s beloved children’s book of the same name and his internationally popular comic strip, Mutts.
The show is sure to delight kids ages two and up as well as musical theatre lovers of all ages. It’s a funny, deeply touching story about what really matters during the holidays: love, friendship, and the simple joy of being together.
For dog lovers, this production is a double treat. Not only does it feature McDonnell’s famously sweet dog-and-cat duo, Earl and Mooch, but it also offers a chance to enjoy an on-site Muttville adoption event, where audience members can meet real live adorable, adoptable senior dogs.
How did Muttville, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that rescues senior dogs, wind up partnering with a musical theater production? Of course, they’ve got “mutts” in common. But Muttville was really inspired to get involved once they learned that the show’s creator, Patrick McDonnell, is a huge activist and animal lover.
While he’s best known for his comic strip and books, McDonnell has also collaborated with international figures such as the Dalai Lama and Jane Goodall and served on the boards of major animal welfare and environmental organizations. As Sherri Franklin, founder of Muttville, puts it, "Patrick is a huge evangelist for shelter dogs, especially older ones. He's always valued the importance of saving lives and cares about the welfare of animals.”
The Gift of Nothing follows Mooch the cat as he searches for the perfect gift for his best friend, Earl, a Jack Russell Terrier. Through his search, Mooch discovers that the greatest gift isn’t something you can wrap; it’s the gift of presence, friendship, and togetherness. The show’s playful songs are underscored by warmth and humor, delivering a timely message to young audiences and their families about the power and importance of social connection and imagination.
"We've been listening to our community and hearing that there's an appetite for more family-friendly activities,” Marin Theatre Executive Artistic Director Lance Gardner says. “That's why we jumped at the opportunity to provide children and parents with this fun, funny, heartwarming musical just in time for the holidays."
This West Coast premiere marks only the second time The Gift of Nothing has ever been staged, following its acclaimed 2014 debut at the Kennedy Center, where it won a Helen Hayes Award. The musical’s arrival also coincides with the 20th anniversary of McDonnell’s original book, which will be available for purchase at the theatre, alongside a brand-new companion title, The Gift of Everything.
The production pairs Joseph O’Malley, who originated the role of Earl’s guardian Ozzie at the Kennedy Center, with a talented ensemble that brings McDonnell’s comic world to life. Jordan Covington embodies Earl, a dog with boundless joy and heart, while Amanda Le Nguyen makes her Marin Theatre debut as Mooch, the eternally curious cat. Charisse Loriaux, Matthias Bossi, and Alicia M.P. Nelson round out the cast as Millie, Frank, and Doozy.
Directed and choreographed by Erika Chong Shuch, with music direction by Daniel Feyer, this staging is both playful and poignant, brimming with warmth, wit, and imagination. Audiences can expect toe-tapping tunes, whimsical movement, and those signature Mutts’ moments of gentle reflection.
Beyond the show itself, Marin Theatre has crafted an entire holiday experience for families. Before each performance, kids can enjoy a pre-show story hour in the lobby, complete with hot chocolate and snack boxes. The theatre will also host a “relaxed performance” on Saturday, December 20, at 11 a.m., designed for guests with sensory or developmental differences, making this event welcoming to all families. And on Sunday, December 21, Marin Theatre will host the Muttville adoption event on the patio at noon, when families can meet Muttville’s senior dogs and maybe even take home a furry new friend. It’s the perfect complement to a show that’s all about giving, gratitude, and connection.
The Gift of Nothing runs from December 13 through December 23 at The Marin Theatre at 397 Miller Avenue in Mill Valley. For tickets and information, visit this link. To meet Muttville Senior Dog Rescue's available dogs, visit muttville.org.