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From NYT: "The Encores! production of “The Wiz,” starring Ashanti [YES!!] as Dorothy and LaChanze as Glinda the good witch, will run at City Center from June 12 through July 5."--And THEY JUST CAST TOTO!!
More about him: "In a news release, City Center said that Toto would be played by Nigel, a brindle-hair Cairn Terrier who was born in Arkansas about 20 months ago, and scouted by Bill Berloni, an animal trainer and the director of animal behavior for the Humane Society of New York, who discovered Nigel on the Humane Society’s Web site.
In a statement, Mr. Berloni said: 'After thirty years of rescuing dogs for Broadway shows which began with Sandy (who shot to stardom in the original production of ‘Annie’), I know talent when I see it. After speaking to the shelter about his personality I knew he had star potential. I predict a great future for him.'
Nigel is currently making his out-of-town debut as Toto in Pittsburgh, in the Woodlands High School production of 'The Wizard of Oz.'"
(WXYZ) - The hat that dazzled millions of people during the inauguration of President Barack Obama, is now being offered as a Christmas ornament. Aretha Franklin's stylish big-bowed hat was the inspiration for the glittery-glass ornament. The ornament's designer hopes it too will be a big fashion hit. Curtis Posuniak is the brain-child behind the ornament. He says the minute he saw Aretha's hat he knew he wanted to make a tiny glass version of it [OYR].