Fred Doggedly Plays Part

Fred doggedly plays part

Canine stars in Burns Park Players version of 'Annie'

By DON FABER

NEWS STAFF REPORTER

He’s a triumph for Central Casting. Fred is the woofing, spitting image of the dog in the comic strip Little Orphan Annie.

That’s a good thing, because Fred the dog is appearing in the Burns Park Players production of “Annie.” The show opened Friday and continues today, and Feb. 14-16.

When he’s not on stage, Fred hangs out at the home of Vic Strecher and Jeri Rosenberg, a married couple with two children, Rachael, 15, and Julia, 11.

Julia Strecher, readers might recall, made medical history by undergoing two heart transplants, her most recent in September 2000. She’s back in school but still convalescing.

She’s also one of the orphans in “Annie.” Vic Strecher is in the show, too, and Jeri Rosenberg is the set designer. Fred’s in three scenes, playing himself.

When Julia was at Mott Children’s Hospital, doctors let the family bring Fred in to keep Julia’s spirits up. She’d gone into cardiac arrest six times in 2 1/2 hours and doctors there thought she was gone.

But she rallied each time and on Sept. 13, received her third heart.

“Having Fred helped to pull her through,” said Vic Strecher. “He put in long hours at Mott and was a friend to a lot of patients there.”

Julia remembers “Fred jumping on my bed and sitting on my feet. He reminded me of being at home.”

What makes Fred so unique, said Julia’s father, is that “this very ordinary appearing dog was placed in very compelling family circumstances. He was a good jester for our family in difficult times.

“He’s Julia’s special friend and follows her around everywhere.”

At “Annie” rehearsals, the players touch Fred for good luck.

NEWS PHOTO • LEISA THOMPSON

Burns Park resident Fred the Dog stars with Lizzie Bourque in 'Annie.'

What makes Fred so unique, is that 'this very ordinary appearing dog was placed in very compelling family circumstances. He was a good jester for our family in difficult times/

- Vic Strecher, Julia's father

Susan Hurwitz, producer of “Annie,” said that “there’s a warmth and friendliness about Fred. We have kids taking care of him. And of course, having a dog in the show helps to sell more tickets.”

Fred may be “scruffy-looking” as Hurwitz put its, but there’s no masking talent. When Vic Strecher pulls out a harmonica and begins to play, Fred cocks his head to one side and starts “singing.”

“Ow-oooo-ooo,” goes the dog in perfect imitation of a singer. He even adjusts his dynamic to the sound level of harmonica or piano. “He’s a soulful singer,” said Vic Strecher. “We can’t stop him.”

Fred is about 4 years old. “Mix” is a generous description of the canine; he has several different kinds of fur and a tail that gives new meaning to the word appendage.

“We got him at the pound about three years ago,” Vic Strecher said.

Fred has a calm demeanor and is friendly to strangers, even to inquisitive newspaper reporters, but he doesn’t tolerate squirrels in his neighborhood.

“He’s an optimist,” Vic Strecher said. “He’s never caught a squirrel and wouldn’t know what to do if he did.”

In the show, Fred’s scenes are when he walks along with Annie, played by Lizzie Bourque.

It’s just as well he doesn’t have a singing role. Nobody likes to be upstaged by a dog who only needs an agent to speed him to Canine Broadway.

Don Faber can be reached at dfaber@annarbornews.com

or (734) 994 6858.