Terrier Too Perky For Broadway His Tail Went Jeckyll When It Needed To Hyde

First, the 12-year-old with the title role in “Annie” was dropped from the show. Now, more arf-ful news from Broadway: “Jekyll and Hyde” has given B.J. the dog the hook.

“He’s a great dog, but there was too much personality,” executive producer Gary Gunas said Wednesday in confirming that the wire-haired terrier was written out of the show.

“Jekyll and Hyde,” a musical now in previews for an April 28 opening, had called for B.J. to walk across the stage in a sedate manner while co-star Linda Eder sang.

But when his big moment came at last Saturday’s matinee, B.J. tugged on his leash and wagged his tail enthusiastically - prompting titters and guffaws from the full house at the Plymouth Theatre.

It was the second stunning dismissal on the Great White Way this year. Last month, Joanna Pacitti was dumped from the title role in “Annie” amid allegations that she lacked “chemistry” with other cast members.

Nor was it the first setback for B.J., who bones up for his stage roles by appearing in TV commercials. His previous shot at the big time was as understudy to Asta in “Nick and Nora,” which bombed on Broadway in 1991.

“His tail-wagging was just trying to please people. He was happy and pleased as punch to be there,” Gunas said. “But in the show it’s a quiet moment, and he was just too perky.”