Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars
Product Details
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Animal stage trainer Berloni has been rescuing animals and putting them on the boards for more than 30 years, and his career memoir brings with it some expected charms-lovable, heartbreaking animal stories; giddy tales of Broadway success; and showbiz backbiting. His story begins compellingly when, as a 19-year-old intern on the set of the original 1975 production of Annie, he was charged with finding and coaching the dog that would play Sandy; miraculously, "the dog nobody wanted... that had been run over by a truck just twelve days earlier" played Sandy for seven years. Berloni's at his best when describing his methods or recounting theatre gossip; the chapter about the 1995 Annie revival, and the abrupt dismissal of 11-year-old star Joanna Pacitti (who won a contest), is related with real ire (Berloni was friends with Pacitti and her family). Unfortunately, much else is dully dutiful; neither Berloni nor his co-writer Hanrahan bring a particularly strong voice to the typical business of memoir. Since it focuses on his remarkable craft, it should interest animal lovers and fans of Broadway. B&w photos.
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Review
“[Bill] can do anything you ask, has enormous love for and control of the animals, is kind to them and to humans. He is the best. The one and only.” --Mike Nichols
“Bill Berloni is a master of his profession. His experience and patience are welcome in any rehearsal room.” --Susan Stroman
"Bill's genuine love and respect for animals has always been foremost in my thoughts of him. He is guided by compassion, empathy and kindness for all beings, qualities too rarely seen." -Virginia Chipurnoi, President, Humane Society of New York
Animal stage trainer Berloni has been rescuing animals and putting them on the boards for more than 30 years, and his career memoir brings with it some expected charms—lovable, heartbreaking animal stories; giddy tales of Broadway success; and showbiz backbiting. His story begins compellingly when, as a 19-year-old intern on the set of the original 1975 production of Annie, he was charged with finding and coaching the dog that would play Sandy; miraculously, “[t]he dog nobody wanted... that had been run over by a truck just twelve days earlier” played Sandy for seven years. Berloni’s at his best when describing his methods or recounting theatre gossip; the chapter about the 1995 Annie revival, and the abrupt dismissal of 11-year-old star Joanna Pacitti (who won a contest), is related with real ire (Berloni was friends with Pacitti and her family). Unfortunately, much else is dully dutiful; neither Berloni nor his co-writer Hanrahan bring a particularly strong voice to the typical business of memoir. Since it focuses on his remarkable craft, it should interest animal lovers and fans of Broadway. --Publishers Weekly
“A heartwarming book . . . If you’ve encountered a furry friend in a Broadway show it likely was put there by Bill Berloni, the theater industry’s top animal trainer. . . . It’s Wild Kingdom meets 42nd Street—and a fun read for anyone who loves theater or animals (and especially those who love both). . . . A canine critique would insist it’s ‘four paws up’ for Broadway Tails.”
—Houston Chronicle “[A] treat for animal lovers and theater fiends—if you are both (as I am), it cannot be beat. Backstage theatre gossip abounds. . . . You’ll hold your breath as Berloni rescues animals from some despicable situations, and then brings out the best in them despite serous obstacles.”
—Fetchdog.com
From the Back Cover
Bill Berloni was a nineteen-year-old theater apprentice when he was offered his big break: the chance to act professionally if he could find and train a dog to appear in the original production of the Broadway hit Annie. Defying the odds, Bill rescued a dog from a local shelter and, together, they redefined what animal performers could do.
In Broadway Tails, Bill tells the true stories of “throw-away” animals who came back to co-star with some of entertainment’s biggest names, from Richard Burton to Sarah Jessica Parker. Here you’ll meet:
- The original Sandy, who starred for seven years in Annie
- “St. Vito,” the deaf bull terrier, who saved the show
- Pi, the first dog to dance with the New York City Ballet
- Chico, the Chihuahua with attitude who became the face of one of Broadway’s newest hits
Often funny, and always touching, these and other stories demonstrate the extraordinary things rescued animals can do.
Customer Reviews
Broadway Tails and nuns
Broadway Tails is a gem of a book for animal lovers and Broadway theater lovers and for those who are neither. Author Berloni's love for his animals is obvious on every page as he prepares them for the Broadway stage. And most importantly he sees that the animals are well cared for after the closing of the show. Recently I shared this book in a presentation with the Sisters of St. Francis, Rochester, MN. I often present classes on the Broadway musicals and this one was a HIT, with Katie and Joey, two collies, assisting me. The nuns loved it as they related their stories about their pets. Katie and Joey never had so many hugs and kisses and applause.
Frank McIlmail
Very Sweet Book That Could Use a Few More Details
This Broadway pet trainer has written a very sweet book that gives some behind-the-scenes information on his job. Although there aren't a lot of great stories or detailed information, those that love Broadway shows and pets will really enjoy it.
The author really has a heart for pets and his kindness comes across in the book. Almost every story is upbeat and positive, and even when he reports something negative he does it in a nice way (such as the time producers failed to acknowledge him on the closing night of Annie or the fact that someone else initially received credit for his work in Annie!). If you like simple, positive stories about animals then this is the book for you.
However, the author could really have added details. He mentions practically living with Sarah Jessica Parker's family--why wouldn't he expand on that or his work with her? She is barely even mentioned here even though he worked with her for years. He alludes to other stars in an off-hand paragraph, like saying Richard Burton likes to pet dogs! Certainly Berloni has seen some more interesting things backstage that are worth including in the book.
A Must for Animal Lovers
This is the heart-warming story of how the author rescued numerous dogs and trained them to become Broadway stars! If you love dogs,animals or theater, you don't want to miss this book!
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