Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars [Paperback]

Bill Berloni (Author), Hanrahan Jim (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Animal stage trainer Berloni has been rescuing animals and putting them on the boards for more than 30 years, and his career memoir brings with it some expected charms-lovable, heartbreaking animal stories; giddy tales of Broadway success; and showbiz backbiting. His story begins compellingly when, as a 19-year-old intern on the set of the original 1975 production of Annie, he was charged with finding and coaching the dog that would play Sandy; miraculously, "the dog nobody wanted... that had been run over by a truck just twelve days earlier" played Sandy for seven years. Berloni's at his best when describing his methods or recounting theatre gossip; the chapter about the 1995 Annie revival, and the abrupt dismissal of 11-year-old star Joanna Pacitti (who won a contest), is related with real ire (Berloni was friends with Pacitti and her family). Unfortunately, much else is dully dutiful; neither Berloni nor his co-writer Hanrahan bring a particularly strong voice to the typical business of memoir. Since it focuses on his remarkable craft, it should interest animal lovers and fans of Broadway. B&w photos.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

“[Bill] can do anything you ask, has enormous love for and control of the animals, is kind to them and to humans. He is the best. The one and only.” --Mike Nichols 

“Bill Berloni is a master of his profession. His experience and patience are welcome in any rehearsal room.” --Susan Stroman

"Bill's genuine love and respect for animals has always been foremost in my thoughts of him. He is guided by compassion, empathy and kindness for all beings, qualities too rarely seen." -Virginia Chipurnoi, President, Humane Society of New York

Animal stage trainer Berloni has been rescuing animals and putting them on the boards for more than 30 years, and his career memoir brings with it some expected charms—lovable, heartbreaking animal stories; giddy tales of Broadway success; and showbiz backbiting. His story begins compellingly when, as a 19-year-old intern on the set of the original 1975 production of Annie, he was charged with finding and coaching the dog that would play Sandy; miraculously, “[t]he dog nobody wanted... that had been run over by a truck just twelve days earlier” played Sandy for seven years. Berloni’s at his best when describing his methods or recounting theatre gossip; the chapter about the 1995 Annie revival, and the abrupt dismissal of 11-year-old star Joanna Pacitti (who won a contest), is related with real ire (Berloni was friends with Pacitti and her family). Unfortunately, much else is dully dutiful; neither Berloni nor his co-writer Hanrahan bring a particularly strong voice to the typical business of memoir. Since it focuses on his remarkable craft, it should interest animal lovers and fans of Broadway. --Publishers Weekly

 

 

“A heartwarming book . . . If you’ve encountered a furry friend in a Broadway show it likely was put there by Bill Berloni, the theater industry’s top animal trainer. . . . It’s Wild Kingdom meets 42nd Street—and a fun read for anyone who loves theater or animals (and especially those who love both). . . . A canine critique would insist it’s ‘four paws up’ for Broadway Tails.”
—Houston Chronicle

 

 

“[A] treat for animal lovers and theater fiends—if you are both (as I am), it cannot be beat. Backstage theatre gossip abounds. . . . You’ll hold your breath as Berloni rescues animals from some despicable situations, and then brings out the best in them despite serous obstacles.”
—Fetchdog.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Lyons Press; 1st edition (June 28, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1599213532
• ISBN-13: 978-1599213538
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #768,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could've been better, August 10, 2008

By 

Liz Boykin - See all my reviews

This review is from: Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars (Paperback)

With the plethora of dog-training books and television shows available to consumers today, it was natural to believe this book would be the superstar amongst them - just as its subjects are superstars of the canine world. However, though the stories conveyed in this book remain inspiring - and the book's message (that rescuing orphaned animals from shelters and supporting that worthy cause) comes through loud and clear - the book reads more like a chronicle of events rather than a grab-the-reader-by- the-seat-of-their-pants- with-amazing-tales-of-unbelievable- feats-by-dogs story. It rather reads like a journal kept by the trainer to recall the events of each dog's story and the anecdotes sometimes associated with each (and these anecdotes, again, while interesting in content are told so robotically as to become I-guess-you-had-to-be-there moments. It's too bad. This book, in the hands of a more skilled writer could've become a classic. Still an interesting read; but be prepared to add your own 'umph'.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars, April 1, 2009

By 

A. B. Ismail "Tkgs" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars (Paperback)

A lot has been said about how cruel it is to train animals and make them perform in public. While there may be some truth in this, this author who has more than 20 years experience training animals to perform live in braodway plays-and even in a ballet-has relied on care, support and insight into the characteristics of the animal for his success. The book makes for pleasant, entertaining reading and the author makes it seem simple enough for you to want to try your hand at some animal training of your own!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Dog Lovers Everywhere, March 8, 2009

By 

Valley Girl (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars (Paperback)

I bought this book as a gift to my daughter. We both have/had several rescue dogs and know how wonderful and smart they are. Most are so eager to please that they learn rapidly at any age. Anyone in a position to have a dog should go to the local shelter and bring one of these wonderful animals into their family.