IN THE SPOTLIGHT, a Newsletter
Legally Blonde
The Sleeper Hit of the season!

Meet the secret stars of Legally Blonde, the Musical!
... a conversation with Bill Berloni, Chloe Bulldog and Frankie Chihuahua


Frankie the Chihuahua steals the show as Bruiser - here with Elle's sorority sister Margot, played by Gwen Hollander

Could you begin by telling us a little bit about yourselves?

Chloe: Well, I was fortunate in that my career began in the Broadway production of Legally Blonde. Bill lured me out of retirement for this production – although, I am happy to be at Gateway and back doing the show – where I had all day naps, three big meals a day and full health benefits! I tried to go vegetarian, like Elle, but it didn’t work out so well. Tofu doesn’t—

Frankie: —I was chosen to do the national tour and never missed a performance! I also—

CB: —oh yea! I never missed a performance either—

FC: —that’s nice… Now I don’t want to pick at bones with you, Chloe, but as I was saying, I did three years of the LB national tour and, many would say, have done the most performances in the history of the show, human or animal—

CB: —I lived at Bill’s house… top dog!

Bill: Perhaps this would be a good time for me to say something. As you can see, Frankie and Chloe really love performing. I’ve been fortunate enough to train animals for 23 Broadway shows throughout my career. All of them, including these two, have been rescued from shelters. And yes, I am proud to say that I have 19 ‘retired actors’ living with myself, my wife and daughter.

Well, you all have been very successful. Bill could you tell me your reaction to winning a 2011 Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre?

It came as a huge surprise and honor, but a tad bittersweet. First, I found out a few days after my father’s funeral and in my acceptance speech, I dedicated the award to my dad. Second, my Broadway show was nearly two years ago and they only award the Tony Honors on an ‘as-needed’ basis, not yearly, and even then only after it passes a unanimous vote. I’ve trained animals for 23 Broadway productions and the outpouring of support from my peers was fantastic. My biggest reward comes in quelling the belief that there is something wrong with shelter animals. When I walk out the stage door after the show, I sometimes hear people say ‘those dogs were so great.’ The reality is that the dog you just watched could have been your own. Although emotionally troubled animals do exist, most animals are there out of circumstance.

Frankie and Chloe, you’ve been quiet…

CB: zzz…

FC: Bill’s my trainer, he keeps me in the shape I’m in now. Cut him off and I’ll be running laps around the theatre! I jest, but we bulldogs saunter. We don’t run unless it’s onstage…or for food… or for tummy rubs. Chihuahuas, on the other hand—

CB: zzz… huh? Why did you wake me up? I was dreaming about sleeping…

After Gateway, any upcoming projects?

FC: Working on it right now. Zzz…

CB: I leave all that stuff in Bill’s hands and keep my paws out of it.

BB: Well we will be working on the 35th anniversary production of Annie in 2012 with James Lapine. We are also working on a stage adaptation of the children’s book Because of Winn-Dixie. If all goes well, it will be the first musical to feature a dog as the star.

Bill’s autobiography, “Broadway Tails,” details the animal rescue stories behind his shows. Parts of the book’s proceeds go to The Sandy Fund which benefits The Humane Society of New York, for which Bill is also the Director of Animal Behavior. To read more about Bill, Frankie and Chloe, visit www.theatricalanimals.com.


Ruth Pferdehirt as Paulette, with her estranged pooch Rufus, played by the Broadway vet, Chloe the bulldog.


Going to school at Gateway

62 seasons ago, “The Gateway Theatre” began in a Barn. Although the shows are now presented in the modern 500-seat Gateway Playhouse that most people know of today, an important Gateway tradition is still ‘acted out’ every week in the old Barn—one that goes back to The Gateway’s beginning.

The Gateway has earned its reputation as a training ground for young artists. Robert Duvall, Gene Hackman and others like them came to Bellport in the days of ‘summer stock’ to develop their skills.

Today, the barn is the home and classroom of The Gateway Acting School, now in its 18th year. Robin Joy Allan serves as Artistic Director for Gateway and heads the school division, Robin was a film and television casting director for several years in Los Angeles. Some of her credits include When Harry Met Sally and Ghost.

“Robin was so helpful in guiding my son,” said Jodi Baldassin, whose 16-year-old son Dante, began taking classes at Gateway when he was 10. “She really gave a commitment to him.”

The Baldassins were referred to Gateway by a friend and Dante was eventually cast in Gateway productions and began going to Broadway auditions, with Robin as his coach.

“She helped him keep his expressions external for the stage, unlike film,” Jodi said. “Robin made sure that he took direction well and could improvise.”

Dante was cast as an understudy in the Broadway production of To Be or Not to Be and also landed roles in films and commercials. According to his mother, taking film acting classes in Manhattan only showed him technical things, like where to stand and when to look at the camera. “The film classes outside of Gateway didn’t show him how to act,” Jodi said. “I’m not a stage mother, I work in human resources. But for any child who is serious about acting, Gateway is simply the best place to take classes on Long Island.”

Deb Cordaro echoes the Baldassins’ sentiments. Her daughter Alison, now 10 years old, has taken classes for the past few years and has found similar success.

“We didn’t realize that there was an acting school for children her age,” Deb said. “She was always outgoing and we actively sought a place that offered classes. We went to another local theatre and they were very rude to us when we asked questions. They said that she would be placed on the waiting list, but that she ‘wouldn’t get in’. As it turns out, that was a blessing.”

Through Gateway, the Cordaros were introduced to Jessica Kelly, a Gateway Acting School alumnus, who is currently a casting director in Manhattan.

“Robin invited Jessica to attend one of the Gateway auditions as she was looking to fill a role. It was on Alison’s seventh birthday,” Deb said. “Alison was very new to the school, but Jessica approached us about auditioning for an upcoming film. We thought we were on America’s Funniest Home Videos, but two days later she was cast as Ethan Hawke’s daughter in Brooklyn’s Finest.”

Stories like this are not uncommon but this type of success is not the singular goal or benefit of the school. Both Alison and Dante continue to take classes at Gateway.

“It’s a wonderful outlet for kids to express themselves,” Deb said. “This is a good thing for them. With so many negative things out there today, they are given a direction. And my daughter is still able to keep up with her studies.”

This season marks the first time that the acting school and production wings have joined forces under the non-profit Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County. This new non-profit will allow the acting school to branch out in new and exciting ways. A more inclusive program for teens is already being discussed, with this summer’s YOU WROTE IT! class, featuring the acting and writing of students ages 15-18, as the basis for that development. Many acting students will get to showcase their skills outside of the classroom later this year in the student edition of Tommy. In many ways, the longstanding tradition of the Barn is still at the heart of The Gateway’s mission.

The Gateway's
Acting School Division

now enrolling-
Classes start July 5!

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION



In this issue:

• The secret stars of Legally Blonde, the Musical!
• Going to School at Gateway
• The Gateway on Facebook
• Now Playing
• Ruby Lewis Interview on 94x
• Become a member!
• Chilren's Theater Series


Now On Stage:

Ruby Lewis
starring in




June 22 - July 9

Click on Elle and Bruiser below
to hear Ruby's interview on 94x Radio!