Pioneer Theatre Company Will Feature HSU Dogs in ANNIE

Pioneer Theatre Company will be giving shelter dogs from the Humane Society of Utah their big break in show business during an upcoming run of the musical "Annie" (Opens Friday, December 2nd, through December 23rd).

During act one, the red-headed heroine runs away from the orphanage and encounters a friendly stray dog. Annie comforts Sandy, singing to him of better days to come.

But Sandy's sidekicks aren't so fortunate and one is captured by the dog catcher. During each production, a shelter animal from the Humane Society of Utah will play the part of this unlucky dog.

In an effort to help promote adoptions of homeless animals, Pioneer Theater Company will inform the audience at every performance about each dog playing this role and that it is currently available for adoption. HSU will also be in the lobby during intermission to meet members of the audience and hopefully find a new family to rescue these stage stars from a 'Hard Knock Life!'

The part of Sandy will be played by a dog named Mikey who is a registered Equity Actor trained by William Berloni.

"All the animals that Bill Berloni trains for the stage are rescues, including the original Sandy from the 1977 premiere of 'Annie,'" says actor and dog handler Brian Michael Hoffman. "And I think the dogs know they are getting a second chance at life. It's true life-imitating-art: an unwanted orphan finds love and a family. Our dogs go from an 'orphanage' to Daddy Warbucks' mansion."