Pooches vie for 'Oz' role
Dog Training
The dog chosen for the role of Toto would have to be willing, friendly and calm and take a liking to the young woman playing Dorothy.
And it had to be able to sit and stay in Dorothy's basket. That was critical. Six dogs were put to the test yesterday in Balboa Park by directors of the Starlight Theater production of 'The Wizard of Oz.' Some refused the basket, no matter how many treats were tossed inside it.
But none seemed to mind the roar of the planes on their descent into Lindbergh Field. That was a good sign, since the planes are a constant distraction at this theater, where actors freeze mid-scene to allow a plane to pass.
The show, starring 18-year-old Lindsey Grubbs of Encinitas as Dorothy, starts its two-week run Aug. 10.
Toto auditions began at 11 a.m. yesterday and ended two hours later. Most of the dogs trying out were cairn terriers, the breed of Toto in the classic Warner Brothers movie. The compensation for the part wasn't clear yesterday. It was either the $350 chorus pay, or free tickets to the show, said co-director Dan Regas.
Grubbs, who graduated Friday from Santa Fe Christian School in Solana Beach, has played the role of Dorothy before, in a Christian Youth Theater production.
Toto was played by her own dog, a Maltese named Sammy. Sammy since has died, and he left Grubbs with an idea of what she needed in the new Toto. 'Just someone who's easy to work with,' said Grubbs, who had her long brown hair in two French braids. 'It's really important they feel comfortable with you.'
With each audition, done on the grass outside the San Diego Air & Space Museum, Grubbs gamely dropped to her knees, holding out treats and calling the dog by name.
Then, she'd stand up and coax the dog to follow her, a treat in one hand. Often with help from its owner, she'd try to hold the dog.
All the while, Regas and co-director Shauna Markey watched closely.
First up was Tavish, a wheat-colored cairn terrier from Spring Valley. He had arrived in a gold lam' jacket, with 'Toto' lettered across the back. His friend, a white West Highland white terrier named Kiltie who came for moral support, wore a gingham Dorothy outfit, with a cap that had brown pigtails attached.
Tavish had taken agility and obedience courses, but never had an acting role.
'I think he has a lot of enthusiasm,' said his owner, Janet Blenner.
'He's good at following directions and he's very sweet.'
'And handsome!' said Blenner's husband, Ron Toigo.
Tavish obeyed Blenner well during his audition, but he didn't like the basket. Between tricks, he ran around excitedly.
Next was Andi, an 8-year-old cairn terrier and a dead ringer for Toto. Andi, from Fallbrook, had played the part before, for parties and conventions at the Hotel Del Coronado.
Andi tolerated the basket and obliged the directors' other requests, like taking a bit of hot dog off the end of a skewer, as Toto does when Dorothy stops to talk to Professor Marvel.
A petite cairn named Gypsy Rose seemed a shoo-in. Her owner, Michelangelo Esparza, said the crowd went wild every time she'd appear on stage during a recent Gay Men's Chorus production of 'The Wizard of Oz.'
Gypsy Rose loves attention and dressing up, Esparza said. Her claws showed peeling pink nail polish.
She hopped into the basket and stayed there when the flap was shut. When it was opened, she popped her head out to a chorus of 'Awwww' from everyone who watched.
After seeing each dog, the directors narrowed the selection to three: Andi, Gypsy Rose and Darby, a cairn owned by Dee McMillen of Ocean Beach.
The three dogs and their owners then went down to the stage, along with animal trainer Marilisa Markey, cousin of co-director Shauna Markey.
Marilisa Markey worked with the dogs and Grubbs, and after each dog had its turn, the trainer, actor and directors retreated to the corner of the stage.
After a few minutes, a decision had been made: It was Andi. 'Andi was very willing, very calm, easily went into the basket,' said Shauna Markey.
'She took cues really quick from Lindsey, wasn't distracted by all the elements. She just had a really great demeanor about her.'
Shauna Markey sent Andi and her owner home with a list of Toto tricks, and the basket.
This actor's preparation would begin immediately.
Elizabeth Fitzsimons: (619) 542-4577; elizabeth.fitzsimons@uniontrib.com
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