Pups audition for home at Bethlehem Players production of 'Annie'

If all goes as planned, the sun will come out for more than just the Bethlehem Players.

An upcoming production of the group's Annie will feature a special Happy Tales Humane dog up for adoption at each performance. The long-loved, all-ages comedic musical, which follows an orphaned girl in her quest for a family, features stage veterans Johnny Peppers and Jenny Norris-Light, area celebrity radio announcers and "a talented ensemble of orphans," as well as the dogs. Dietz Osborne directs the doubly cast production.

Shows run Friday through March 13 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 2419 Bethlehem Loop in Franklin. Dinner shows are at 6 p.m. March 7, 8 and 10, with meals at 4:45 p.m.; lunches with "Annie and the gang" are at 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, with meals at 12:30 p.m.; and shows without a meal are at 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. There's also an evening performance at 7 p.m. March 13. Tickets for meal and show are $22, $18 for students high-school age and younger, through www.ticketsnashville.com. Show-only admission (available for all performances) is $15, $10 for students.

In addition to "Sandy," the cast dog, a Happy Tales Humane dog will appear on stage during various crowd scenes. Audience members will have the opportunity to visit with the dog during intermission and after the show. The Franklin-based Happy Tales Humane is a nonprofit organization that rescues, cares for and finds adoptive homes for unwanted pets.

As for Bethlehem Players, it's now in its 14th year of community theater. The group was founded as an outreach of Bethlehem UMC and regularly packs the house. Last year, the company launched its first world premiere.

Details: www.bethlehemumc.com; 791-6456, ext. 2; or www.happytaleshumane.com.

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