Nigel, a Rescued Cairn Terrier, Wins the Role of Toto in The Wiz

A cairn terrier named Nigel will play Toto in the Encores! Summer Stars production of The Wiz. The canine performer completes the cast of the musical, which is scheduled to run June 12-July 5 at New York City Center, directed by Thomas Kail. Opening night has been set for June 18.

Joining Nigel in the cast will be Ashanti Dorothy, Orlando Jones the Wiz, Joshua Henry Tinman, James Monroe Iglehart Lion, Christian White Scarecrow, Tichina Arnold Evillene, Dawnn Lewis Addaperle and LaChanze Glinda, as well as Raymond Lamar Bennett, Tanya Birl, Darlesia Cearcy, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Angela Grovey, Ebony Haswell, Lauren Lim Jackson, Carl Lation, Maurice Lauchner, Jennifer Locke, Amy McClendon, Kenna Michelle Morris, John Eric Parker, Herman Payne, Ryan Rankine, Levensky Smith, Ephraim Sykes, Adrienne Warren, Daniel J. Watts, Juson Williams and Will Wingfield.

A 15-pound pup who was abandoned on the street before finding haven with the Northeast Arkansas Humane Society, Nigel was discovered on the Society’s website by theatrical animal trainer Bill Berloni. “Nigel’s headshot called out to me,” Berloni said in a statement. “After 30 years of rescuing dogs for Broadway shows which began with Sandy [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. He is as smart as Sandy with the right amount of Bruiser [from Legally Blonde].”

Nigel is currently making his out-of-town stage debut in Pittsburgh, where he is playing Toto in the Woodlands High School production of The Wizard of Oz.