Theater auditions dogs for 'Camelot' role

The dog days of summer aren't always so bad.

It was a good day to be a canine Sunday in Northport, where the John W. Engeman Theater held an open audition for a large, shaggy dog to play the role of Horrid the Dog in its upcoming production of "Camelot."

The furry would-be stars received lots of attention from the theater's crew, their owners and even passersby as they waited to audition for the chance to appear in one scene of the play. Such attention isn't unusual, however, for the owners of such distinctive dogs.

"When we walk by, people will comment on my dog, not my children," said Kathy Fodor of Northport, who brought along her very shaggy Labradoodle, Sophie, a retired guide dog.

Associate artistic director Vic DiMonda said there had been "a lot of buzz" about the audition. By 4:15 p.m. Sunday, owners had brought by about 20 dogs.

DiMonda said he looks carefully at how the dogs behave even before they're brought into the audition room.

"The whole process is part of the audition," he said. "The funny thing is, they [the owners] don't even know it."

He said he also gives the dogs basic commands, has them run a bit around the room, and generally observes their temperaments.

"We're looking for a dog who is very nonplused about being without an owner," DiMonda said, adding that every dog auditioning "has been well-behaved, and so darn adorable."

The owners of the canine star-to-be will be notified later this week.

Morgan Avila of Lynbrook brought her 130-pound Leonberger, Chewee, who has had quite a bit of performing experience -- he's performed in local productions of "Annie" and "Oliver Twist."

Avila even tried to make Chewee more old and "nasty-looking" by rubbing lotion into his fur and lightly dusting his face with baby powder.

"Some dogs are water dogs, some are trackers; this dog is a theater dog," she said.

Larry Spirn of Northport didn't rehearse tricks or apply stage makeup to his 125-pound Bernese mountain dog, Olive. He said that her mellow nature makes her perfect for the role -- one he believes she was born to play.

"She told me she's always wanted to be in show business," he said with a wry smile.