By Kathy Brown.
Have you seen Because of Winn Dixie at the Goodspeed Opera House yet? If not, it has been extended through Sept. 5, 2019. Not only is the show produced by Dorothy Berloni, of Higganum, but Bowdie who plays Winn Dixie, is one of the dogs owned by the Berlonis, and Dorothy’s husband, Bill, is Bowdie’s trainer.
Bowdie is a mixed breed, and the Berlonis have had him for five years. He is one of about 28 dogs that the Berlonis own and train. This is Bowdie’s third production of the show, as he has played Winn Dixie at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and the Delaware Theatre Company, leading up to the Goodspeed’s production. Bill spends many hours training a dog for a role. “It is a multiple step process, first doing basic obedience and socialization, then exposure to the rehearsal process, introduction to the stage, to the orchestra, and the conditions that exist during the actual show,” explained Dorothy.
Dorothy Berloni, who has lived in Higganum for 25 years, with her husband, and daughter, read the book Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo, back in 2001, shortly after it was published. She tried to acquire the rights but a movie was already in the works, so “I had to wait until 2008 before I could even try again,” she told Haddam-Killingworthnow, but acquire them she did. Dorothy is known as the Originating Producer because she “read the book, thought it would make a great musical, acquired the rights, and started hiring the creators.” Some of the duties of the producer are raising money, and hiring the creative staff like the director, composer, book writer, and lyricist.
Dorothy knew Nell Benjamin, who is a lyricist, writer, and composer in musical theater (she is known for Legally Blonde, as well as Mean Girls), so she asked Nell to do the book and lyrics. Donna Lynn Hilton, Producer at the Goodspeed “stayed in pretty continuous communication with [the Berlonis] as the show has developed and through the early productions.” At the time, it wasn’t quite ready for the Goodspeed, but according to Donna Lynn, “after the production in Alabama, Dorothy approached us to see if we were still interested in producing the show. The first three developmental productions had brought the show to the right stage for us to program it at the Opera House and we jumped at the opportunity.”
A show of this magnitude is not something that Dorothy has done before, though she has done a cabaret evening each year at 54 Below in New York City to benefit the Humane Society of New York. Bill has worked at the Goodspeed Opera House several times, along with Artful Living, The Ivoryton Theater, Long Wharf, Sharon Playhouse, and Haddam Killingworth High School. You can read more about Bill’s start at The Goodspeed in this article. “It has brought us great joy to provide a home for this beautiful story that is so dear to their hearts and celebrates the human/dog bond that Bill has spent his career recognizing and celebrating. And it doesn’t hurt that the show is wonderful and delighting our audiences!” said Donna Lynn Hilton at the Goodspeed.
As the producer, Dorothy was heavily involved at the front end of the show. She was at auditions for the cast, went to rehearsals, gave feedback to the director, watched the budget, and more. “It is our hope to bring the show to New York, and we are working to that end, but finding an available theater could take a while,” explained Dorothy.
If you get a chance, check out Because of Winn Dixie at the Goodspeed Opera House. You will be glad you did!
