Canine-based humor takes over Gilbert Street this fall as the members of Riverside Theatre preform A Dog’s Life — a play that delves into the topics of life, love, and friendship.

The play premières tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., launching the 29th season at Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St. The musical will continue with four shows a week, Thursday through Sunday, until Oct. 4, with Sunday shows beginning at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $12-$28.

Ron Clark, the production manager for and a cofounder of Riverside Theatre, said the production is a fun and accessible way to open the season. Since the script was presented to him last year, he said, the story has sounded charming.

The cast, with musical director Jennifer McVay Phelan and director John Kaufmann, has been rehearsing six days a week since mid-August. The connection among everyone is great, and everything is going well, Kaufmann said. The cast consists of professional actors, most of whom are locals.

A Dog’s Life follows Jack, a rescued dog played by David Tull, and the friendship that grows between him and Joel, the man who adopts him, played by Jim VanValen. No dog would be complete without a pack of pals, and Jack is no exception. Big Dog (Stephen Perkins) and Little Dog (Mary Bryant) accompany Jack on his journey while trying to make sense of the strange humans around him.

Clark said his favorite part of the production is that the story is presented from a dog’s point of view.

A Dog’s Life encompasses a wide variety of music, including hip-hop, soul, Western, disco, traditional theater music, and even a “canine torch song.” Clark said the music is fun and exciting, and clever lyrics accompany it.

VanValen said the production appeals to a lot of different people and can allow them to “leave the theater feeling really good about the people who have touched their lives — and not just people, but our furry friends, as well.”

Kaufmann said the production will show the connection and the effect that everyone has on others’ lives.

Kaufmann and VanValen expect the audience to consist of dog owners, but they hope that other people are not misled by the play’s title.

“There’s no bad language, so people will feel good about bringing their kids to [the play],” Clark said. “It appeals to those who are ‘dog people,’ and that spreads out across generations.”

At the end of the show on Friday, a slide show will be played showing more than 50 different types of dogs photographed at a promotional event in August.

But the show is not just about dogs. VanValen said he believes the message is bigger than that.