Jennifer Aniston Takes Broadway Stage as a Dog?

Jennifer Aniston is famous for her portrayal of a “Friend.” However, on Monday she shocked a Broadway audience when she portrayed a dog in “24 Hour Plays,” which was a one night benefit for the public schools in New York City.

Aniston’s canine cameo appearance was in the comedy “the Bitch Downstairs, starring Nia Vardalos, Lee Pace, Sam Rockwell and Kyra Sedgwick, in a story of a kidnapping that goes wrong.

“The Bitch Downstairs” was one of the six short plays that were written, rehearsed and then performed all in one day for the annual fundraising event.

Aniston, dressed in a furry vest and snug jeans, made her appearance approximately three quarters into “Bitch.” The applause from the surprised audience was enthusiastic. The cast list at American Airlines Theatre did not include her in the credits.

It was the third appearance for Aniston at “24 Hour Plays,” the event sponsored by Montblanc that benefits Urban Art Partnership, an arts-in-schools organization.

The dog portrayal by Aniston was one one of the evening’s highlights.

Others included Cheyenne Jackson, Broadway hunk, in drag (great legs!), kicking in kitten heels along with two girls (America Ferrera and Leslie Bibb) in a play about trying desperately to get onto “3D Rock.”

Gloria Estefan made her Broadway debut, acting and singing “Smile” as part of “I Think You’ll Love This One.”

The play was written by 20 year old Elizabeth Cruz Cortes, graduate of the writing program at Urban Arts. The clever comedy costarred Elijah Wood, Diane Neal from “Law & Order” and Alicia Witt. The story follows a kids’ birthday party that is disastrous.

At curtain call, the actors all gathered to take a bow, except for Aniston. She might have been on her way to a dog run.