Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live and director Karen Johnson Mortimer today announced their canine stars who will play the role of Sandy in the upcoming Australian production of the ever-popular Broadway musical Annie. Taking on the role of Annie’s loyal companion will be Bodhi, who has featured in Neighbours, and Sandy who will share the role of Sandy. Tickets are now on sale for this legendary, joyous and inspiring production of Annie which will light up Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 27 March next year.

Groodles Bodhi and Sandy are trained by Luke Hura, the country’s leading film, television and theatre dog trainer. In addition to these prized pooches, Luke trained Koko, the star of the film Red Dog, as well as Buddy who played Sandy for last production of Annie in 2012. Luke has been tasked with training the dogs to perform a variety of tricks ‘set to script’ as well as teaching the future actresses who will play Annie, how to work with the dogs to ensure they perform correctly and don’t misbehave on stage.

“After rigorous paw-ditions across the country, we unanimously agreed that Bodhi and Sandy were the perfect dogs to play our Sandy,” said John Frost. “Working with dozens of children under stage lights while performing in front of adoring audiences, the dogs require a high level of training and skill in order to meet the physical demands of the role. We know Luke will have a wonderful time training Bodhi and Sandy and we have no doubt Australian audiences will fall in love with them too.”

It’s one of the most awarded and loved musicals of all time. With its iconic score, featuring classics like It’s the Hard-Knock Life, Tomorrow, Easy Street and N.Y.C, Annie is truly a timeless masterpiece, with a book and score written by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and Martin Charnin.