It's the true story of John and his dog, Abby, and their last moments together.  A culmination of finely woven and irreversibly moving stories about their adventures while living in New York City and Chicago.

"A performance that is as impeccable as his story is affecting." - Steven Leigh Morris, LA Weekly

"Grady tells these stories with a dry wit, but delivers a powerful emotional punch." ★★★★ - CBC

"Mesmerizing. Grady is a masterful storyteller." ★★★★ - Winnipeg Free Press

Trailer:

John Grady is an actor and a writer from New York City. He starred off Broadway in Spalding Gray: Stories Left To Tell and as a member of Blue Man Group. John has performed on The Moth Mainstage in New York City, Detroit, and Portland. His stories have aired on NPR, CBC Radio, and KCRW. He worked with film director, Francis Lawrence on both I Am Legend, and the NBC drama Kings. A graduate of the theatre program at UC Irvine, John also trained at the National Ballet School in Toronto and danced with Ballet British Columbia in Vancouver. This past April John performed with The Moth in Minneapolis at the American Association of Museums conference.

http://www.thejohngrady.com 

Cast + crew

John Grady
Role: Actor/writer/director
John Grady is an actor and a writer from New York City. He starred off Broadway in Spalding Gray: Stories Left To Tell and as a member of Blue Man Group. John has performed on the Moth Mainstage in New York City, Detroit, and Portland. His stories have aired on NPR, CBC Radio, and KCRW. He worked with film director, Francis Lawrence on both I Am Legend, and the NBC drama Kings. A graduate of the theatre program at UC Irvine, John also trained at the National Ballet School in Toronto and danced with Ballet British Columbia in Vancouver. This past April John performed with The Moth in Minneapolis at the American Association of Museums conference.

www.thejohngrady.com

Write a review

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User reviews

I love Abby too
by Publius McGee
Rating 5 stars
Emotional rollercoaster, bawled my head off. Very well-rehearsed, masterfully presented, heartstrings tugged, funny bone tickled. This man knows what he's doing.

Freaking amazing
by Eric Wentling
Rating 5 stars
I had no idea what to expect going into this show, but am so glad I got to last showing. I don't even really like dogs, but by the end of the show my wife and I were sobbing like babies. Amazing work. The best drama I've seen all year!

A celebration of love
by Florence Brammer
Rating 5 stars
This is an extremely moving and artful interweaving of stories exploring and celebrating love and loyalty and loss. Grady is a magnetic, masterful storyteller with a style that never comes across as theatrical or mechanical. While Grady's touching tale certainly leaves a lump in the throat, it is celebratory rather than maudlin. A thing of great beauty.

I wish I could give more stars
by Valerie Stachour
Rating 5 stars
Masterful storytelling. John draws you into his struggle immediately and keeps you captivated throughout the performance. This is the best show I've seen at the fest. Bring tissues.

A boy and his dog tales
by Fringivitis Vulgaris
Rating 4 stars
John Grady has great stage presence. He seems quite genuine as he tells stories of his love for his dog, and choices he made in the name of that love. Melancholy tone throughout, so plan your afternoon accordingly.

Brilliant
by Rochelle Eastman
Rating 5 stars
Brilliant script seamlessly weaving some seemingly unrelated topics together. About a dog, but really about much more. Then the show was masterfully performed by a true professional. I don't think I have ever seen an audience as attentive. If anything, the show was almost too polished for Fringe. It raised the bar. I need to give it at least 6 stars.

If you've loved a dog...
by Kenneth Hanf
Rating 5 stars
Poignant and moving. First Fringe I've ever cried at. Well written and masterfully performed. 5+ stars.

Absolutely Excellent
by P Bronstein
Rating 5 stars
This was absolutely terrific. John Grady was funny and heartwarming. Abby dies at the end, but because the story isn't told in a linear way, it's not just happy happy SAD. It is up and down throughout. Having said that, I cried at the end. Excellent work.
PBronstein

Incredible
by Lucy Lloyd
Rating 5 stars
Grady's performance and writing is so moving, so captivating. This is on the same level as the movies Marley & Me and Hachi: A dog's tale. If you enjoy those movies and a good cry, you CAN NOT miss this. I'm going to see this again.

Powerful.
by Julie Lloyd
Rating 5 stars
My favorite show of the Fringe this year. A polished storyteller. Moving, inspiring. See it.

5 wags
by Roger Rosvold
Rating 5 stars
John brings us face to face with his great love, and makes us face our own understanding of what love is and is not. A masterfully presented story of love, loss, and the great privilege or challenge given to those who dare to care.

Yet this is about more than a man and his dog: John wraps exploration of Life and Love into his telling. The result is honest, powerful, & reaches deep into you.

Very Sweet and Serious Topic
by Sarah Lawrence-Lupton
Rating 5 stars
I would not have gone to this show except that the other reviews were really positive and the location was super convenient. This was a happy Fringe surprise. Well written, very rehearsed show. Despite being an animal lover and pet owner I am not into sappy shows about pets; this was not one of them. It was a story about friendship and love. I would call this risky subject matter because it could come off as hallmarks-stupid but it didn't. It flowed just like a real story of any friendship. So far my favorite Fringe show this year.

Intimate, affecting performance
by Leslie Gibson
Rating 5 stars
One of my favorite Fringe performances of all time. I was afraid I'd be a puddle at the end, but John does a masterful job of balancing heartbreak and humor throughout the show. Bravo John, Brava Abby!

Crisp, Emotional
by Larry Ripp
Rating 5 stars
True stories about a Man and His Dog from The Man..who, does not seem like a Dog Person! This button down teller has a style all his own and it takes a couple of minutes to get on his wavelength. You say to yourself "this guy loved a dog? A cat maybe. But a dog?" Well, yes, he did love a dog and by the end it's all very clear. Great stuff that doesn't stay on one thought a second longer than needed. The show MOVES! Keep up and you will be rewarded. John Grady. Cool on the outside. Dog-gone lovable on the inside. Wonderful show.

Good
by Paul Hogrefe
Rating 3 stars
Good and polished but not a must see.

Yup.
by Shawny Sena
Rating 5 stars
See it. It's delightful.

A Bodhisattva Tale
by Katherine Engel
Rating 5 stars
Well-composed interwoven story and tenderly told, with humour, heart and genuine openness. Love stories come in all kinds, even, sometimes especially, furry. A testament to how much we get when we give. Yup - everything!

A Damn Good Show
by Howard Lieberman
Rating 5 stars
A remarkable storyteller telling one of the most compelling stories I've heard in a long time. As word gets out about this show I expect it to start selling out. See this show or miss a jewel, and bring a Kleenex or 2 when you do.

a MUST for anyone who loves dogs
by Rachel Flynn
Rating 5 stars
I'm so glad I came across the postcard for this show and rearranged my schedule a bit to fit it in. It's so sweet and sad and lovingly told. Grady's style is very presentational but his deep connection to and love for his subject -- his dog Abby -- drew me in and had me stifling sobs by the end.
If you have or have had a dog in your life, see this show, bring tissue, and then go home and hug your dog.
(Also, I now really want to check out Doga with my own sweet, wonderful mut.)

A story about life, with canine
by Anthony Paul
Rating 5 stars
A seamless script and masterful delivery make this a must-see for anyone who has ever loved anyone or anything. A wonderfully funny and moving experience.

A Loving Tribute
by Mark Mikula
Rating 5 stars
A masterfully delivered and poignant story set. John Grady gives a performance that is, by turns, touching and funny. I was very moved as an animal guardian myself. This story might put you in the mood to adopt a four-legged friend yourself.

Can I give it six?
by Greg Giles
Rating 5 stars
One of the best pieces of theater I've seen in years. Grady is an amazing storyteller -- engaging, funny, touching, insightful and wonderful. This valentine to a loved one is something special. If you love dogs, you have to see this show. Heck, if you can spell "dogs" you have to see this show!

See this show!
by Tonya Miller
Rating 5 stars
Absolutely stunning. An engaging performer telling a simple, honest story. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard and cried so hard in so short a span of time. Please go see this show.

Fear Factor: Canine Edition
by Lydia McAnerney
Rating 5 stars
Wow - I was expecting good, but got great! A powerful hour ranging from laughter to tears with everything in between. If you have ever had a dog (or any other animal really, but a dog is the co-star here) as a best friend or just a friend, you won't want to miss this show. John is funny, bringing you right along with him to the dog park and the visit with the vet. Plenty of time to feel each emotion and yet, I sat on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next. Doga - you'll want to know what this is and look for a place in Mpls to take your dog so you can do it too. Treat yourself and a friend - go to Patrick's Cabaret to see this one. I really loved it. The coolest part is...all the stories are true!

Lydia McAnerney