After a two-show day, Broadway’s pet-owning performers love nothing more than coming home to their number one fan: a loyal four-legged friend. In honor of the annual Broadway Barks dog and cat adoption event, coming up on July 14 in Shubert Alley, we asked stage couples to show their puppy love by telling us all about their furry pals.
STEPHANIE J. BLOCK and SEBASTIAN ARCELUS
What is your pet’s name and breed?
His name is Macaco, and he is a 5-year-old, 3 1/2 pound Maltese/Yorkie mix. Although he may a bit confused because, one, he thinks he's human and two, “Macaco” often gets substituted with Caco, Cacarooz, Roozers, Rooz, Rooz-Gooz, Goozers, Mr. Macaco, Mr. Macacohead, the Magical Mr. Macacohead…maybe we should stop there before it gets too embarrassing.
How did your pet get its name?
Well, it's Portuguese for “silly monkey,” which Macaco happens to be. He climbs all over us and his surroundings. But it actually stuck because it's Spanish slang in Uruguay (where Seb's dad is from) for “fire hydrant.” So it works on a number of levels.
What is your pet’s favorite pastime?
Licking. But it's not his pastime, it's his job. Snuggling with me [Stephanie]. It breeds jealousy. He's attached to me. He thinks we're married. Seb is an innocent bystander. He has these long “chewy” sticks he loves and when we give him one, he plays hide-and-seek with us. Literally. Also, he likes to roll around in stinky things…that's fun.
Does your pet know any tricks?
Of course, he's a pretty good sitter, stayer and jumper. And although he got a “D” in puppy kindergarten, he has a really good knack for looking cute and coaxing people to give him human food.
What’s the funniest thing your pet has done?
Macaco is not inherently funny. He's rather serious, passionate and protective. He's not a clown, he's a Casanova.
What’s the naughtiest thing your pet has done?
He's a public humper. He's fixed, so it's unfortunate that it stuck. Not for him, maybe, but certainly for the hump-ee. Also, maybe not so much naughty as inconvenient…but he always seems to poop in the middle of the crosswalk as the light's changing. Good potty.
Do you look like your pet?
If by “pet” you mean our furry child, then, um, yeah.
Keep checking back for more pet profiles from your favorite stars.