Wildwood Pooch Wins Role of Sandy in Variety Children’s Theatre’s 'Annie' Production

Variety Children’s Theatre announced the casting of Sandy in the upcoming fall production of Annie. Wildwood rescue dog Ellie, a three-year-old Labrador/Wire Hair Mix, has won the role, beating out 24 other canines who auditioned. The theatre group partnered with Kennelwood Pet Resorts, the AKC Museum of the Dog and Purina Pet Care to find the best St. Louis pooch to play Sandy.

Although Ellie has never acted before, she will become certified as a therapy dog this fall.

“Ellie is such a blessing to us,” said Ellie’s owner, Susan Rademeyer. “My husband spotted her at a rescue group’s adoption event a year and a half ago. He called me down and I was so impressed with her calm, sweet disposition. I knew right then—for a dog-lover, it doesn’t get any better than Ellie!”

Having “the look” is important to many actresses, but especially Ellie. “If you look at the original photos of Annie and Sandy from the first Broadway production, Ellie is a dead ringer for that dog,” said Jan Albus, executive producer of Annie.

“Her size is perfect for our Annie, Anna Gassett, and she received the highest marks from all our judges!”

“Ellie has the complete look,” said Shannon McCollough, a veterinarian with the Animal Protective Association of Missouri and another judge. “When you picture Sandy in your brain, Ellie is exactly that—she was well trained, looked great and worked wonderfully with Anna. All 25 dogs were great, and Ellie was the best of them all.”

Ellie had to best her competitors at six different obstacles, including walking through cones, stepping on dog beds, and staying calm when an umbrella was opened above her head. Another key challenge—coming when called by 11-year-old actress Anna Gassett.    

“She came right to me!” said Gassett. “She’s a sweetheart and with her sweet personality I know I’ll be able to handle her while acting on stage.”

Gassett, who is in the Gifted Program at Sperreng Middle School, has been singing and dancing and acting since she was 2 years old. She’s a Muny Kid and can be seen in Pirates! and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat this summer.  She competes regionally and nationally with her dance competition group, Rhythm Revue, and has performed alongside The Joffrey Ballet in the Nutcracker at the Fabulous Fox Theatre in conjunction with Dance St. Louis. In 2011, Anna was a munchkin in Variety Children’s Theatre’s production of The Wizard of Oz.

Six-year-old therapy dog Basie will be the understudy role for Ellie. Basie is a Goldendoodle and lives in Overland with her owners, Jake and Mackenzie Hopping.