Understudy cat in 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' gets the boot
The claws came out on the set of Broadway's 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' and it was Montie the feline understudy who got scratched from the Playbill.
The New York Times reports that a black-and-white cat has been fired for not following stage directions and for being difficult to work with. He had already lost out on the chance to headline as Holly Golightly’s companion — to a big, orange tabby named Vito Vincent. Now it seems his new transgressions have pushed him even farther from the spotlight on the Great White Way.
A video and narrative published by the Times earlier this month may have foreshadowed trouble ahead for the embattled cat actor. From humble beginnings as a rescue cat at the Dawn Animal Agency (a 300-acre animal sanctuary in New York's Hudson Valley), he made his way to the Broadway stage with owner Babette Corelli — who, incidentally, is the cat trainer for the production. For that reason, the Times reports, Montie will stay at the theater, despite being replaced by another feline actor, named Moo.
Diane Katz, coordinator for talent at the sanctuary, says understudy responsibilities will now be handled by two of its other rescue cats, Chessie and Moo.
Meanwhile, Montie will resume work on other acting projects. His resume includes scenes in "Rescue Me," "30 Rock," "Sex and the City," "Law & Order" and the film "The Life Before Her Eyes," with Uma Thurman.
"The ones that are prone to be in show business help to support the others who don't work," she says. "That's what our sanctuary is about."
Hopefully, all this casting commotion won't rattle Vito Vincent, who Variety said delighted guests at Wednesday's opening-night party for the show.
Because, you never know — there might be another cat star waiting in the wings.
More from Vetstreet:
The toughest decision pet owners have to make is ...
4 best household items that remove pet-stains from carpets
Why does my cat ... head-butt me?
5 best dogs for your golden years
Are five cats too many for one person to keep?
Photo: Chang W. Lee/The New York Times / Montie the cat has been let go from his understudy acting job in the Broadway production of "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
pics, advice, info and stories for pet lovers
-
Puppy survives alone in car for a month
Tow lot employee finds abandoned pup.
-
10 reasons pets make better partners than people
Animals, says Dr. Patty Khuly, are the best listeners in the world and don’t care that you’ve just been dumped or laid off.
-
11 celebrities who speak for animals
With all the glitz and glamour that comes out of Tinseltown (not to mention the endless tabloid fodder), it's not always obvious that many celebrities are animal lovers, too.
-
How to break 7 common bad dog habits
"No! Bad dog!" How many times have you scolded your misbehaving canine with those words? Probably too many. But before you fly off the handle, one of the most important things to understand about correcting bad behavior is that punishment doesn't work.
-
Should your pets ride loose in the car?
Your dog loves sticking his head out the window, but imagine the tragic results of disregarding his (or your) safety.
-
How this vet talks to kids about pet death
Death is a natural part of life, but it's never easy to understand. Here are some tips when the time comes to talk to your kids about pets passing.
-
Dog vs. cat: which pet is better?
Are you a 'dog person' or 'cat person'?
-
8 most wrinkled dog breeds
Whether they're on small pups like the Pug or huge ones like the Mastiff, adorable wrinkles are the envy of many a dog lover — which is exactly why we set out in search of the canine world's most wrinkled breeds.
-
Top 11 questions you should ask yourself before you adopt a pet
Adopting an animal is a major commitment. Yet all too often people put more effort into researching what kind of car to get than the type of pet that would best fit their lifestyle.
-
20 animals that are going extinct
From certain species of butterflies, zebras to horses and cockatoos, you might be surprised that some of our favorite creatures are dying out.
-
Multifunction feline design: Furniture for both you and your cat
Creating a cat-friendly home means incorporating elements that accommodate your cat’s natural instincts to climb, scratch and rest. Why not look for furniture that gives kitty what she needs and offers function for you too?
-
10 household plants that are dangerous for dogs and cats
You may not realize that these are toxic to your critters - keep your pets away from these household plants.
