Theatre Company Goes to the Dogs for Actors

A miniature four-legged furry star makes its debut in the play 'Gypsy' being put on by the Ocean Professional Theatre Company in Barnegat next month. 

The company discovered an adorable 7 pound Yorkie Poo named 'Chowsie' through Manahawkin-based 'Homeless Paws," an organization that rescues mostly small dogs and allows families in the area to foster them until adoption.

Production Supervisor Gail Anderson says the attraction to Chowsie was instantaneous. "He has all of the attributes of an actor for the role. He's quiet. He doesn't bark. He loves to be held. He loves to snuggle."

Anderson says in Gypsy, Chowsie actually has a pretty significant role.  "In real-life, the mother of Gypsy Rosalie, Rose, did in fact have a dog by the named 'Chowsie' that she carried everywhere with her and the dog never left her side and was always with her.  So in the play Chowsie is with Momma Rose all of the time."

A secondary benefit to temporarily fostering Chowsie, is that they'll be able to focus attention on the rescue work of 'Homeless Paws'.  Anderson says representatives will be attending Gypsy and other plays to talk about the work they do and promote the animals that need permanent loving homes.  She says they'll also be recruiting foster families to help care for a rescued animal.

Chowsie is doing such and outstanding job, that the Ocean Professional Theatre Company has given him a second role.  Chowsie will be featured in the Wizard of Oz  as Dorothy's dog ToTo.  Anderson says Chowsie "didn't know he was going to be ToTo but he's very excited about that as well."

Chowsie will be meeting and greeting the audience at the end of the shows and will be available for adoption after his stint in showbiz.