Jamey Schrick and Adam Simmons star in Bark!, playing at the Coast Playhouse, 8325 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hlywd. For tickets and more information, call (800) 595-4849.

Interview by Sarika Chawla
Photography by John Skalicky
www.skalickyphoto.com

Bark! is reaching its one-year anniversary. What do you attribute to its success?

Jamey: Almost all of us have been affected one way or another by a dog. Especially being in West Hollywood, where it's like dog central. It's something that people can get into and find some familiarity.

Does that mean Bark! is going to be the next Cats?

Jamey: (laughs) We don't take ourselves quite as seriously as Cats.

How did you get involved with the show?

Jamey: I was an understudy back in November, and then I took over full time in March.

Adam: I worked about four years in New York. I was on Broadway in Jesus Christ Superstar. Now I'm out here in L.A. doing film, TV, and all that good stuff. When I got Bark!, I had like six days to prepare. They gave me the script and I just went on.

What kind of dogs do you play?

Adam: I play a schizophrenic Labrador.
Jamey: My dog is a mutt. He's probably like a retriever/collie mix.

What qualities do you share with dogs?

Jamey: Maybe a misguided sense of loyalty. It doesn't matter if it's a stranger; if they seem friendly, I'm pretty willing to bump up to them and be nice. I'm sort of tragically confounded by anything that hasn't been explained to me entirely.

What's your favorite kind of dog?

Adam: Alive ones.
Jamey: My last dog was a golden retriever named Leia, but she is with my ex's family now.

What's your favorite place to be scratched?

Jamey: Right on my little behind.
Adam: Behind the ears.

Do you prefer your collars studded or plain?

Jamey: Oh, I think a plain collar.
Adam: A little bit of both.

What's your favorite toy?

Adam: A bone.
Jamey: Anything I can chew on for a while.

Are you dating anyone?

Adam: No, not right now.
Jamey: Sort of. The problem is she's going away for school.

To school? How old is she?

Well, she's 18, and I'm ... not.

Adam, what's your type?

Someone who is imaginative.

Does that mean male or female?

Whatever works!