A few weeks into rehearsals for the upcoming Glenbrook Musical, “Legally Blonde,” theater director Julie Ann Robinson received an email from Lisa Krinniger, asking “How good is your make-up artist?”

The question was regarding Krinniger’s dog Friday, who was chosen to play the part of Bruiser. Friday’s eye had just popped out, and the eye was unable to be saved. This was just one of the struggles Robinson faced with the inclusion of dogs into the musical.

To cast the dogs, auditions were held for the roles of Rufus and Bruiser on Feb. 22. Eighteen dogs arrived at the Sheeley Center for the Performing Arts to display their tricks, personalities and looks to Robinson and vocal director Chad Davidson.

According to Robinson, Friday had impressed her and Davidson from the time she arrived wearing a pink knit sweater with a complete doggy resume, including headshots.

“[We] were trying to detect the look of the dog and the personality of the dog,” said Robinson. “The show calls for a chihuahua and a bulldog.”

Friday, a chihuahua mix, and Tulip, a toy fox terrier, were cast as Bruiser. Mojo and Yoyo, English bulldogs, were cast as Rufus.

“I think both of the bulldogs are perfect for the part, and I can’t believe we found them because they are everything you would imagine Rufus to be like,” sophomore Katie Snyder said. Snyder plans to work with Mojo in the show.

Robinson recognized the large level of commitment involved for the families with dogs in the show. Gavin McClanahan, owner of Mojo and Yoyo, and a junior at Glenbrook South, said that he and his family thought it would be fun, so they were willing to take on the responsibility.

Robinson said a dog has never participated in a Glenbrook musical before, but she plans to train them herself with the help of the owners.

“If we need help beyond that, we’ll hire a trainer,” she said.

Robinson said that Krinniger bought a pink purse to get Friday used to the idea of being carried around in one.

“They are not trained to do this like a Broadway dog would be, so they kind of do what they want and we are making the production work around them,” Robinson said.

Mojo and Yoyo love to be together, Robinson said. So Paulette, the character who owns Rufus, may have to have two dogs.

According to Robinson, another issue is that the current dog treats are not “tasty enough,” so she plans to buy better ones.

Senior Ellie Schnittman said that when she called Tulip to come to her, Tulip trotted over to her, sniffed the treat, and ran away from her.

Snyder said it was challenging to stay in character while holding and feeding Mojo at the same time.

“I think having dogs in the musical is] great and it’s going to be fun,” said Robinson. “I think it’s going to be a huge draw for the audience because they’re really going to love it, but it comes with work.”