New Dog in Annie?

[Matteo]

Does anyone know why Casey (Stray Dog, Sandy Understudy) has been replaced by a new dog, Mikey? As a dog, what reasons are there to replace them in the show? I do not have much knowledge on this topic, so just curious!

[jetts7]

I was wondering about this too!

[adam.peterson44]

Maybe Casey was demanding a star salary and too many perks - you know, wet instead of dry food, etc.?

Okay, I don't know either.

[broadwayguy2]

You should read Bill Berloni's book "Broadway Tails". There could be any vast array of reasons why a dog would leave a show handled by Bill as he is VERY good with them. He often uses the "understudy" role to train one of his new dogs into a 'staple' show and then he can send them out to star in various productions. If the dog is not happy, he will pull the dog out. If something happened to spook the dog either on the stage or in the theatre, he will bring in a new animal.. someone may be allergic to a particular animal. On the more tragic side, if an animal is ill, Bill will remove them and get them the best care that he can possibly find... I think the important, and only real thing to remember here is that. Bill will not FORCE an animal to work.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

Maybe the dog is sick. Maybe the dog was terrified of being on stage. Maybe the dog bit a cast/crew member. Maybe the dog can't handle the pressure. Maybe the dog can't remember his cues.

[jeffmiele]

Is Casey the one that had the surgery during rehearsals? it was shown in that Search for Sandy documentary... Like others said, there could be tons of reasons but maybe that hip/leg issue was acting up again

[faith587]

Casey is the dog that had surgery, as shown in the Search For Sandy documentary, so he could be having health issues again. Or it could be a number of things, as everyone has stated above. He might just not want to perform at all.

[Jordan Catalano]

Can I get a refund?

[JoeKv99]

There is a juicy story here. Apparently, during curtain call on January 15th, Lilla Crawford (Annie) remarked "that's a wrap." Casey, who had gone on that night, thought she said "that was crap" and bit her. There was a terrible scene. I am surprised you didn't read about it in Michael Riedel's column. Anyway, they both made "Get rid of that bitch or I walk" ultimatums and the producers decided Casey would go. Sad.

[TheGingerBreadMan]

^

Dafuq?

[SNAFU]

I heard Casey found brown M&Ms in his dressing room and threw a fit.

[Gothampc]

Some little girl screeches "Tomorrow" eight times a week and you have to ask why? Dogs, unlike humans, don't have to pretend that they enjoy that.

[Ed_Mottershead]

I just caught up with the show on Friday. Sandy is now being played by Sunny and it was a hoot for all the wrong reasons. There was no rapport at all between Crawford and Sunny -- in fact, he turned away from her and looked bored the whole time. She literally had to pull Sunny towards her. It put me in mind of the "Dog Act," that used to be on the old Ed Sullivan Show, where a very uncooperative canine refuses to do any of the tricks and the guy had to pull the dog, paw by paw, up on the table.

[LizzieCurry]

Sunny has always been the principal Sandy (and she looked scared at the preview I attended)!

[Wee Thomas2]

The old dog was a real bitch and wouldn't sign at the stagedoor. Hope the new one is friendlier.

[Gothampc]

"in fact, he turned away from her and looked bored the whole time."

Idina and Kristin did that in Wicked.

[GoshGeeGolly]

I'd like to see this guy "Bill" stand in for a dog just once.

[broadwayguy2]

Huh?