Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
How An Abandoned Rat Became The Toast Of Broadway
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 22, 2016
Modified Jan 22, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 22, 2016
Modified Jan 22, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The black-hearted soul who dumped hundreds of domesticated rats onto the West Side Highway last summer unwittingly threw away a Broadway star. Today the Times reveals that one of those albino rats, named Rose, now plays the role of the protagonist’s pet rat in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
After we published the tip about the abandoned rats, the rat-rescue community converged on the elevated patch of grass next to 12th Avenue near 57th Street to rescue as many as they could. Video confirmed that many of the rats met a grisly fate.
Of the rats who were saved, three were adopted by Lydia DesRoche, the trainer for the rat in the play.
The Times reports that she “fed them corn and peas and edamame and yogurt and avocado sushi and bits of dark chocolate” and nursed them back to health. Rose became the strongest and boldest of the three, so when the rat starring in the play fell ill, and her understudy became overworked, DesRoche decided it was Rose’s turn.
It was love at first sight. Ms. DesRoche began bringing Rose every day, wearing her in a carrier around her neck as she made her rounds before the show and backstage for Tulip’s entrances and exits.
On Jan. 14, Rose accompanied Ms. DesRoche to the Ethel Barrymore Theater and stopped in the green room for some social time with Tyler Lea and Benjamin Wheelwright, the two young actors who play the lead character.
Rose crawled across Mr. Wheelwright’s arm, down his shirt, over to Mr. Lea. She sat calmly in Mr. Lea’s hand — the first time she had let him hold her. He stroked her back. And then Rose did something special. She bruxed, and she boggled.
If you're unfamiliar with the term “bruxing and boggling,” the Times helpfully provided an example.
Rose's debut performance was yesterday.
The mystery of who dumped Rose and her kin onto the West Side Highway remains. Maybe they'll show up to the theater with a dozen roses and an apology, and Rose will have the pleasure of summoning security.
Tagged
hey asshole betcha feel pretty stupid now huh
rats
ratty endings
suck it hamilton
tonys
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .