GOING TO THE DOGS: The story of The 101 Dalmatians has been told in many forms. But the touring musical currently holed up at the Music Hall at Fair Park goes all the way back to Dodie Smith’s novel, which inspired the iterations to come. And it sounds as if the trip back in time is worth it. As expected, Cruella De Vil is the star of the show, and Rachel York’s performance doesn’t disappoint. “She’s a vocal howitzer, firing killer volleys on ‘Cruella Always Gets Her Way’ and ‘Hot’,” writes Perry Stewart on theaterjones.com. “In her, the Wicked Witch of the West meets the Bride of Frankenstein, but with powerhouse vocals and sex appeal (if your tastes run to the diabolical),” says Lawson Taitte on dallasnews.com. If that sounds too good to resist, you’ve got until Dec. 20 to see it.

FAIR PARK FIXUP: Should you head to Fair Park to see The 101 Dalmatians, be sure to check out the Esplanade Fountain while you’re there. The show stopper is a pair of new statues that are re-creations of pieces that were stationed at the fountain during the Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936. The fountain also features jets that fire water above head like the fountain outside the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The statues are the work of sculptor David Newton, who was on hand to see them installed earlier this week. “You’re on pins and needles until the last second,” he told dallasnews.com. “You can’t relax until the final bolt is turned into place.”

MUSIC BITS: A few years ago, Fort Worth musician Walker Wood could be heard gigging all around Cowtown. Then he sort of just disappeared. And now, he’s back (dfw.com) … What do you get when you mix a religious upbringing with punk rock? Fort Worth’s Eaton Lake Tonics, which recently released a new album, Rancho Folly IV. (fwweekly.com) … Tim DeLaughter can’t make it, but Paul Slavens will be there when Good Records puts on its Holiday Extravaganza on Saturday (DC9 at Night) …  KERA and KXT get a mix of hero worship and gentle ribbing in the latest edition of David Hopkins’ and Chad Thomas’ We Never Met comic. Being the public radio fans that you surely are, you’ll laugh, too. (quickdfw.com)