All productions of ANNIE on Broadway since its 1977 debut have featured shelter dogs in the role of Sandy, Annie’s adopted canine pal. Tony Award Honor recipient, William Berloni, has continued in the tradition by finding, and now training, a dog who will be the star. Sunny is a rescued shelter dog from the Houston, Texas, area. Both she and her understudy, Casey, who came from a Nashville, Tennessee shelter, will play the role of Sandy.

Professional nutrition for the dogs is being provided by PEDIGREE Food for Dogs for their starring role and using brand treats.

ANNIE Producer Arielle Tepper Madover, shared, Food for Dogs and trained for their starring role using brand treats."We are extremely excited to have the PEDIGREE Brand as our partner because of our shared interest in finding homes for shelter animals. ANNIE is about a girl and her dog desperately seeking a place to call home, and we're hoping Sunny's story inspires audiences to consider adopting their next pet."

ANNIE opens in New York City at the Palace Theatre on November 8, with previews on October 3. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

The search for Sandy will also be a television special that airs on NBC in October. Produced by Al Roker Entertainment and ANNIE Broadway LLC, the special is sponsored by PEDIGREE. Berloni will be featured, and he has worked with rescued dogs and trained Sandy for the original 1977 Broadway production ANNIE debut.

"ANNIE is about a girl and her dog desperately seeking a place to call home, and we're hoping Sunny's story inspires audiences to consider adopting their next pet."

ANNIE opens November 8 at the Palace Theatre (1567 Broadway at 47th Street).  Previews begin October 3.  Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com.

Visit www.AnnieTheMusical.com, and follow ANNIE on Twitter: @AnnieOnBroadway and on Facebook.  

For more information on The PEDIGREE Adoption Drive and other brand initiatives, visit www.pedigree.com or www.facebook.com/pedigree.