Chocolate Church Arts Center is going to the dogs | Column
Rescue‑Dog Comedy Show Heads to Bath’s Chocolate Church Arts Center
Bath, ME – The Chocolate Church Arts Center will welcome a troupe of rescued dogs for a one‑hour performance on Saturday, September 12 at 2 p.m. The show, titled Muttville Comix, will feature dogs that jump rope, climb ladders, walk tightropes, and perform comedy routines—an unusual blend of canine agility and theatrical humor.
The program is presented by Johnny Peers, a performer who has worked with a variety of rescued dogs. According to the center’s executive director, Matthew Glassman, the event is aimed at “all ages,” with a particular appeal to families with children. The center has encouraged parents to bring their kids for a day of fun and a chance to see what rescued dogs can accomplish with training, encouragement and treats.
The troupe’s performers are not pedigree show dogs but rather rescues, each with its own personality, quirks and backstory. The show’s creators emphasize the value of giving these animals a chance to display their talents in a supportive environment, citing the benefits of rescue animals in communities and the joy they bring to audiences.
Finn, the office dog at the Chocolate Church Arts Center, wrote a brief note about the upcoming event. Finn, who was rescued from Texas, has lived in Vermont, western Massachusetts, and now Bath. While Finn’s own commentary is written from a canine perspective, the underlying message highlights the close bond between humans and dogs and the potential for rescued animals to contribute to the arts.
“The dogs are wiser than men,” quotes Eugene O’Neill in a 1940s essay titled The Last Will and Testament of an Extremely Distinguished Dog. “They do not set great store upon things. They do not waste their time hoarding property. They do not ruin their sleep worrying about objects they have, and to obtain the objects they have not. There is nothing of value I have to bequeath except my love and my faith.” The essay was intended to console O’Neill’s wife after the death of their own rescue dog, Blemie.
The Chocolate Church Arts Center, located on Main Street in Bath, has recently partnered with Bowdoin College, which is listed as a sustaining sponsor for the event. The college’s support reflects the community’s commitment to promoting the arts and animal welfare.
Tickets are available at the center’s box office and online. The event is free for children under 12, while adults pay a modest admission fee. The center is also encouraging volunteers to assist with animal care during the show.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Chocolate Church Arts Center website or call the box office at (207) 555‑1234.
