ANNIE's New 'Sandy' Announced on TODAY SHOW Today, 7/19

Renowned animal trainer William Berloni will announce the dog that will play the role of Sandy in Broadway's new production of ANNIE on NBC'S "Today Show" today, July 19 in the 9:00 AM hour (ET).

Berloni, a recipient of a 2011 Tony Award Honor for Excellence in Theatre, began his career as an animal trainer thirty-five years ago with the original production of ANNIE in 1977. Berloni discovered Broadway's original Sandy at a Connecticut animal shelter, which began the tradition of casting the role with a shelter dog. The original Sandy went on to play all 2,377 performances of ANNIE on Broadway. Berloni has also rescued and trained dozens of shelter dogs for the four national tours of ANNIE, as well as the 10th, 20th and 30th anniversary productions.

ANNIE, the new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, is now on sale. For tickets, call 877-250-2929 or visit Ticketmaster.com. ANNIE features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, with all three authors receiving 1977 Tony Awards® for their work. ANNIE will be directed by Pulitzer Prize and three-time Tony Award®-winner James Lapine and choreographed by Tony Award®-winner Andy Blankenbuehler. The production begins previews on October 3 at the Palace Theatre (1567 Broadway at 47th Street). Opening night is Thursday, November 8.

ANNIE stars two-time Tony Award-winner Katie Finneran as Miss Hannigan, Australian star Anthony Warlow making his Broadway debut as Daddy Warbucks and 11-year-old Lilla Crawford as Annie, with Brynn O'Malley as Grace Farrell, Clarke Thorell as Rooster Hannigan, and J. Elaine Marcos as Lily St. Regis. The Orphans are Madi Rae DiPietro as July, Georgi James as Pepper, Junah Jang as Tessie, Tyrah Skye Odoms as Kate, Taylor Richardson as Duffy, Emily Rosenfeld as Molly and Jaidyn Young as standby for the roles of Annie, Pepper, Duffy and July. The production also features Ashley Blanchet, Jane Blass, Jeremy Davis, Merwin Foard, Joel Hatch, Amanda Lea LaVergne, Gavin Lodge, Liz McCartney, Desi Oakley, David Rossetti, Sarah Solie, Dennis Stowe and Ryan VanDenBoom.