That’s show business for this dynamic canine duo, who share the role as Sandy in the national touring production of thecurrently on tour through May 2024. Addison, who began acting in 2017, steps into Sandy’s paws for a third time. Georgie, who understudies the role, is making his theatrical debut.
Rover spoke with who adopted the two shelter dogs and prepared them for a life on the stage. He explains how he got into the business, a typical day for Addison and Georgie, and the real rags to riches story behind every animal he trains.
Addison (L) and Georgie (R) on a beach day. Photo courtesy Mel Rocco
It All Started With Sandy
For Berloni, “Annie” is more than just a beloved musical—it’s the production that launched his career. As an aspiring young actor, apprenticing at the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut, Berloni recalls his life turning upside down when the producer of the then brand-new show asked him to find a dog who could play Annie’s canine sidekick.
“They offered me a part in one of the shows and my professional union card if I was up for the task,” he recalls. “Of course, at 19 years old, I said yes. Once the high wore off, I thought, ‘where am I going to get a dog?’” Determined to succeed, Berloni visited a local shelter and found Sandy in a shaggy-haired dog who was going to be put down the following day.
I decided that if I could provide Sandy with a loving home and treat him with respect, there might be a chance he would be willing to follow my lead.
“This was completely new for me, but I grew up with dogs on a farm, who were more family members than pets. I decided that if I could provide Sandy with a loving home and treat him with respect, there might be a chance he would be willing to follow my lead.”
Shortly after this regional production, Berloni and Sandy—the name in real life, and in “Annie”—were asked to be part of the Broadway engagement, which opened in New York City in 1977. “The show became a phenomenon and I became a famous animal trainer at the age of twenty.”
After bonding with Sandy, Berloni decided to pursue animal training full time. He has since dedicated his life to training dogs and advocating for their safety in the entertainment industry. His organization, , rescues animals of all kinds for media projects. His trained actor pets have appeared in Broadway productions such as “Oliver” to TV series like “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and movies including “The Greatest Showman,” “Charlie Wilson’s War,” and “While We’re Young.”
Ellie Puslifer (Annie) and Addison (Sandy) in the “Annie” tour. Photo courtesy Tyler Gustin
The Sun’ll Come Out
When Berloni first began training Sandy, he was faced with one very big question: How do you go about humanely asking a dog to do the same thing eight times a week?
“I thought about how dogs come running when they hear a certain drawer open because they associate it with food. If a dog is safe, secure, and positively reinforced, they can learn repetition and routine.”
