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"Star Trek" was recently reinvented to rousing acclaim and the iconic "Terminator" saga is on deck. Why not Scooby Doo?

You say Hollywood did that already? Well, it's probably safe to say – not quite like this.

Iconic cartoon characters will be seen in an all-new light when "Spooky Dog and the Teen-Age Mystery Gang" comes to Frederick's Cultural Arts Center for two exclusive preview performances this weekend, prior to sniffing for clues around the nation's capitol in June.

And according to Andrew Baughman, "Spooky Dog" director and founder of D.C.'s Landless Theatre Company, it's definitely in everyone's best interest to leave the kids at home.

"It's sort of a satire and tribute to the old Saturday morning cartoon shows we used to watch," he explained. "It's riffing on … all of these things we saw in cartoons, that maybe we didn't think about when we were children, but occur to us while watching as adults. Like ‘What exactly was in those Scooby Snacks?'"

Though written by Eric Pliner and Amy Rhodes, the show features original songs by Baughman and Jen Tonon, the songwriting duo behind Landless hits "Frozty the Abominable Snowman" and "Carrie Potter and the Half-Blood Prom."

One tune, said Baughman, is known simply as "The Theme Song," a clever parody of the instantly recognizable Scooby-Dooby-Doo ditty. "Another has a title, but I don't think you can print it."

While the cowardly cartoon dog is most obviously lampooned throughout, the entire genre is up for grabs, said Baughman.

"There's definitely a hint of Jem & The Holograms. Josie & The Pussycats," he said. "There's even something Yogi Bear-ish, I think."

The production also features both improvisational elements and audience participation, with the titular Teen-Age Mystery Gang soliciting a celebrity's name from the audience to kick things off (this forms the core of a silly conundrum), resulting in a different show every night.

"We're toying with the idea of a pre-show game show, even," said Baughman. "These Frederick previews are a good place to experiment."

Cast includes Maryland Ensemble Theatre regulars Matt and Amy Baughman, as well as Landless faces Jen and Josh Speerstra, and Nick Greek as the "incomparable" canine sleuth Spooky.

"The hardest part is, we're not a cartoon," said Greek, a huge Scooby fan himself. "So it's difficult to translate this dog who walks on all-fours, but at the same time eats sandwiches and talks. It was about getting that feeling."

Audiences, he noted - certainly those who grew up with Scooby - have a strong sense of the character.

"You just can't do an impression," he said.

Still, method acting was not a problem. Greek said he left all mutt-like mannerisms at rehearsal.

"It's a lot of fun," he said. "But you can only replace everything with Rs for so long."

"These guys – it's uncanny how they channel these iconic characters," said Baughman. "We did a radio spot advertising the show, and Nick's voice is so close to Scooby's. Even his costume. If you look at the pictures, he's just a guy. There's no attempt whatsoever at wearing a dog costume. But seeing the real-life version – it's almost scary."

Spooky Dog and the Teen-Age Gang Mysteries

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Cultural Arts Center,

15 W. Patrick St., Frederick

Tickets: $12

For information: 301-662-4190