By Haley Hughes
The smallest cast member of “The Wizard of Oz” may be the show’s biggest star.
Toto, a 7-month-old terrier mix, was adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter by the show’s costumer Dianne Kinsey, who said one of the biggest challenges so far has been getting Toto and the cast to focus on rehearsal when all they want to do is play.
Allie McCormack, Kinsey’s daughter, said her mother wanted to adopt a second dog to be a companion to her first, Bella, and when the play’s director Bradley Watts expressed a desire to use a live dog in the production, the pieces fell into place.
Watts said his mother initially offered to foster Toto for the show’s run – presented by the Aiken Kidney Benefit – but Kinsey was more than happy to make him a permanent member of her family.
“When I saw him, I said, ‘He’s mine,’” Kinsey said.
Watts visited the Aiken County Animal Shelter and told the staff he was looking for a dog to take the role of Dorothy’s beloved dog. He said staff took him directly to Toto, who was named Trapper at the time.
Watts spent some time with the dog that day and felt the puppy was perfect to play Toto.
Watts posted a picture of the dog to his Facebook page and asked his friends if they could envision the dog in the role.
“I got all these wonderful responses,” he said. “He’s such a loving dog – I think he was meant to play Toto. He’s going to be a little star.”
Shelter staff said Toto was surrendered to the shelter when he was 5 months old because his owner graduated high school and left for college.
He has officially been named Toto so he’ll respond better on stage. He is also attending acting classes at PetSmart.
“He’s catching on fairly quickly,” McCormack said. “Maddie Anderson (who is playing Dorothy) will start going to classes with him, too.”
A Cairn terrier named Terry played Toto in the 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz.” Terry was reportedly given up by her original owners because they had difficulty house training her. She was then rescued by Carl Spitz, a well-known dog trainer, who helped her on her rise to fame.
McCormack admitted the first thought that popped into her head when she heard “shelter dog” was misbehaved and old. Toto has blown those misconceptions out of the water.
“The first time he came in here and saw all those kids (who play the munchkins), he was in heaven. He’s as sweet as can be,” McCormack said.
Anderson, who has been involved in the Aiken Community Playhouse, has never worked with a live animal on stage before; however, she said Toto is perfectly suited for the play.
“It’s good as an actor, and it’s good for the puppy. You have to make whatever the dog is doing work for you,” she added.
Watts believes the audience is in for special treat when Toto takes the stage.
“Having a dog is a great thing for people seeing the show. I think it’s the biggest thing in the show. Now, if only we can get him to stop licking the Wicked Witch of the West,” he said.
The Aiken Kidney Benefit is a local charity for the benefit of patients with kidney failure in the area, according to its website. It produces a Broadway musical every fall to raise money.
The Aiken Kidney Benefit will present “The Wizard of Oz” at the URS Center for Performing Arts on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m., Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sept. 30 at 3 p.m., Oct. 5 at 8 p.m., Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Oct. 7 at 3 p.m.
Tickets go on sale Aug. 28 and are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and children 13 and younger. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 648-1438.
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The smallest cast member of “The Wizard of Oz” may be the show’s biggest star.
Toto, a 7-month-old terrier mix, was adopted from the Aiken County Animal Shelter by the show’s costumer Dianne Kinsey, who said one of the biggest challenges so far has been getting Toto and the cast to focus on rehearsal when all they want to do is play.
Allie McCormack, Kinsey’s daughter, said her mother wanted to adopt a second dog to be a companion to her first, Bella, and when the play’s director Bradley Watts expressed a desire to use a live dog in the production, the pieces fell into place.
Watts said his mother initially offered to foster Toto for the show’s run – presented by the Aiken Kidney Benefit – but Kinsey was more than happy to make him a permanent member of her family.
“When I saw him, I said, ‘He’s mine,’” Kinsey said.
Watts visited the Aiken County Animal Shelter and told the staff he was looking for a dog to take the role of Dorothy’s beloved dog. He said staff took him directly to Toto, who was named Trapper at the time.
Watts spent some time with the dog that day and felt the puppy was perfect to play Toto.
Watts posted a picture of the dog to his Facebook page and asked his friends if they could envision the dog in the role.
“I got all these wonderful responses,” he said. “He’s such a loving dog – I think he was meant to play Toto. He’s going to be a little star.”
Shelter staff said Toto was surrendered to the shelter when he was 5 months old because his owner graduated high school and left for college.
He has officially been named Toto so he’ll respond better on stage. He is also attending acting classes at PetSmart.
“He’s catching on fairly quickly,” McCormack said. “Maddie Anderson (who is playing Dorothy) will start going to classes with him, too.”
A Cairn terrier named Terry played Toto in the 1939 movie “The Wizard of Oz.” Terry was reportedly given up by her original owners because they had difficulty house training her. She was then rescued by Carl Spitz, a well-known dog trainer, who helped her on her rise to fame.
McCormack admitted the first thought that popped into her head when she heard “shelter dog” was misbehaved and old. Toto has blown those misconceptions out of the water.
“The first time he came in here and saw all those kids (who play the munchkins), he was in heaven. He’s as sweet as can be,” McCormack said.
Anderson, who has been involved in the Aiken Community Playhouse, has never worked with a live animal on stage before; however, she said Toto is perfectly suited for the play.
“It’s good as an actor, and it’s good for the puppy. You have to make whatever the dog is doing work for you,” she added.
Watts believes the audience is in for special treat when Toto takes the stage.
“Having a dog is a great thing for people seeing the show. I think it’s the biggest thing in the show. Now, if only we can get him to stop licking the Wicked Witch of the West,” he said.
The Aiken Kidney Benefit is a local charity for the benefit of patients with kidney failure in the area, according to its website. It produces a Broadway musical every fall to raise money.
The Aiken Kidney Benefit will present “The Wizard of Oz” at the URS Center for Performing Arts on Sept. 28 at 8 p.m., Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sept. 30 at 3 p.m., Oct. 5 at 8 p.m., Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Oct. 7 at 3 p.m.
Tickets go on sale Aug. 28 and are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and children 13 and younger. Tickets are available by calling the box office at 648-1438.