‘Annie’ finds a home at Starlight

More than one orphan takes center stage as the Starlight Theatre presents the rags-to-riches tale of Annie. Along with the Helen Woodward Animal Center and the SD Pet Training, the theatre has trained an orphaned dog to star along with Annie for their summer show.

The adorable one-year old Barney, a terrier and golden retriever mix, is currently waiting at the Helen Woodward for his debut on opening night. Together, with owner/operator Rob Kuty of San Diego Pet Training, Barney has trained over the past few months to perform his first and last stage role as Sandy in the family musical classic Annie. At the end of the show, a new home is already waiting for him.

“When the idea of bringing this to Starlight’s stage came about, I can’t tell you how excited I was to make this all happen” says Carlos Mendoza, Guest Artistic Director of Starlight Theatre. “Not only do we get to witness something new and thrilling on our stage in the way of Barney, a specially trained pet for our show, but we get to see him go home with a fantastic family as well. Everyone is bound to fall in love with Barney’s performance and the story of how he came to be on our stage.”

In the show, Annie lives in an orphanage run by the ill-tempered, heavy drinking Miss Hannigan. Fortunately, Annie meets and befriends Sandy, the lovable street dog, who quickly becomes part of her family and helps to distract her from the horrible life that surrounds her. When Annie is chosen to spend the Christmas holidays with the wealthy industrialist Oliver Warbucks, Miss Hannigan is infuriated that Annie will be spending the holidays in the lap of luxury. Warbucks is charmed by Annie’s spunk and good spirits and is eager to adopt her, but Annie is convinced that one day her real parents will come back to claim her.

Annie
Presented by the Starlight Theatre
Aug. 13-30
Tickets: $10-$75

Starlight Theatre, 2005 Pan American Plaza (In Balboa Park)
Box Office: (619) 232-STAR
Online: starlighttheatre.org

• Kids get in free on Thursdays and Sundays