NCT’s ‘Annie’ Gives Audiences ‘A Reason to Smile’

November 12, 2025
• A local community theatre production features a role reprisal 37 years in the making and a friendly, tail-wagging cast member.

In 1988, Michael Bailit rolled onto the Needham Community Theatre stage as President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the troupe’s production of “Annie.” He admits he was too young for the part — he had to add some white to his hair, and he felt unseasoned as both an actor and a person.

Nearly 40 years later, Bailit — now with some more experience on stage, as well as salt and pepper hair — will reprise his role as FDR with the same company. It’s a full-circle moment for the Needham resident.

But what makes this production special for Bailit is his furry companion who will make his official theater debut.

Harpo, the Bailits’ 12-year-old labradoodle, will play Sandy, the stray dog Annie picks up when she runs away from the orphanage. And while the red-haired orphan may be the star of the show, Harpo has his own set of adoring fans, Bailit said.

“The girls who play the orphans are transfixed by Harpo,” Bailit said, “and so he regularly gets surrounded by four to 10 girls who all want to pat him at the same time.”

The pup will be the fifth and final member of the Bailit family to grace the NCT stage. Bailit’s wife Julie and their two sons, Eli and David, have also performed with the organization.

During a rehearsal Tuesday night, Julie brought Harpo into Newman Elementary School to run through scenes alongside Annie, played by Deahna Spada, and residents of Hooverville, of which Bailit is one before the second act.

“Annie,” based on a comic strip from the 1920s, follows a young orphan in New York City during the Great Depression who longs to reconnect with her parents. She leaves behind the poor conditions and cruel reign of the orphanage keeper Miss Hannigan, played by Meg Dussault, to live with billionaire Oliver Warbucks, played by Nathan Lamont.

This will be NCT’s third time staging the classic musical.

The cast worked alongside a puppet stand-in for Sandy, designed by a cast member, for a couple weeks before Harpo was cast in the role of a lifetime. “I consulted with Harpo,” Bailit said, “and he said, ‘if this results in me getting a lot of treats on stage, sign me up,’ and he has been a high quality cast member beloved by all ever since.”

Co-producer Nina Barzilay said the crew were hesitant to recruit a real dog because of an incident in 1988. In that production, Sandy the dog was the music director’s pet, and during one show, the dog allegedly ran into the orchestra pit. Barzilay said it became a “cautionary” tale, but the narrative has changed.

“I think everyone’s come around to the idea, and we’re really excited,” Barzilay said.

Dussault, who has directed the show twice, said Miss Hannigan has been a dream role. In each production, she said she sees themes that still feel relevant to modern audiences. The Hooverville scene, where homeless New Yorkers lament about their financial fall, is one she feels has particular resonance.

“There are people who are going without food and going without meals and having to find a community in that way,” she said. “And that theme is present throughout this, the haves and the have-nots, and that has not changed in our society.”

Apart from those reflective moments, “the music is so timeless, the characters are so memorable,” said Chris Lovegood, who plays Rooster, the conniving little brother of Miss Hannigan. Theater offers an escape and a positive, uplifting message, Lovegood said.

That sense of inordinate positivity is clear throughout the musical. During Tuesday’s rehearsal, Spada’s Annie found the silver lining for residents of Hooverville and sang of finding her parents in “Maybe.” The show ends with the same glittering outlook with “Tomorrow,” which is also performed throughout.

“People need a reason to smile, too, with all of this stuff going on. We need to be able to smile, we need a happy ending,” Lovegood said. “We need the cute bow at the very end where the dog comes running in. We need those moments right now.”

Bailit said he sees that “lift-me-up message of optimism.” Through the show’s music, and maybe Harpo, audiences can get “a little spirit boost,” he said.

And while there may always be risk with live theater, especially with live animals, Bailit gave his pup his approval and encouragement.

“We are pretty confident that Harpo will pull off his role with aplomb,” he said, “but one never knows.”

The musical opens Friday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. and runs through Nov. 30 at Newman Elementary. For dates and times, visit the NCT website.