Broadway: The great woof way

In a rags-to-riches story worthy of a Broadway musical, two formerly homeless dogs were selected Friday to join the cast of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” a song-and-dance extravaganza opening April 28 at the Hilton Theatre in New York.

“This is the ultimate dream for a rescue dog -- to go from somebody’s trash to a Broadway star,” said Deborah Miller, who saved Argyle, a 10-month-old collie, from a life spent locked in a Bronx basement.

Fred, an 8-month-old foxhound mix, was brought to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals after his owner gave him up.

Five dogs already had been found for the show but three more were needed, so producers invited dogs from animal shelters across the city to an open casting call. Twenty auditioned for Bill Berloni, who has trained dogs for more than a dozen Broadway shows and discovered the original Sandy for “Annie.” He chose Argyle and Fred but is still looking for his last woofer.