I just ran across the clip below (thanks, Jamie!) featuring Rachel York in rehearsal as Cruella de Vil in The 101 Dalmatians Musical, a brand new musical (not affiliated with the Disney movie in any way) presented by Purina Dog Chow (ugh). It will be stopping in Chicago February 2010.

It’s no secret that I love Ms. York. Read my Diva Friday on her here, and read her lovely notes to me here. I’m sure she’ll make a wonderfully glamorous, campy villainess.

I’m holding out judgement on this show, but from all that I’ve read, it sounds very…unique. Real Dalmatians paired with actors as Dalmatians, a score penned by Dennis DeYoung – founding member of the band Styx. And now…actors on stilts? See the video:

Can you imagine dancing on those things eight times a week? Just think how solid her core will be!