After auditions, all of the contestants wait with their owners for the judges’ decision.

Twelve canine contestants arrived at Madison Square Garden today to audition for the chance of a lifetime -– a “barking role” in the opening concerto of the “101 Dalmatians Musical,” opening in April.

The contestants took the stage one by one, escorted by owners who cajoled them with treats and commanded them to “speak.” At least half never spoke at all, stage fright getting the best of them. Riley the pug needed “some coaching” from his owner, who tried to agitate him using a noisy plastic toy with flashing lights. Riley ran away from the toy, but never barked for the judges.

Joe Morall stood on the stage with Pork Chop, a Jack Russell mix wearing a blue “I love NY” coat, and tried unsuccessfully to get him to bark. “He does have the largest and biggest mouth in New York, ask anybody at the dog park,” Morall said. “But he got stage fright!”

The judges deliberated for several minutes before announcing the winner to great fanfare: Nsala, a 10-month-old mixed breed who arrived with her owner, Yvette Brown of Manhattan. “I am ecstatic!” said Brown. “I didn’t think she was going to bark! Up until the last minute, I didn’t think she was going to do it!”

The contest winner, a 10-month old mixed breed named Nsala, poses for a picture with the canine stars of the “101 Dalmatians Musical,” opening at Madison Square Garden in April. Nsala’s owner is Yvette Brown from Manhattan.

As the newest “cast member,” Nsala will soon go into the studio to record her bark, which will be paired with music for the show’s opening number. Brown also won a six-month supply of dog food, tickets to the opening night performance of '101 Dalmatians,' and four tickets to the Westminster Dog Show.

Basking in their victory, Brown bent down and told Nsala, “You’re so beautiful! I love you!”

Two contestants get to know each other while waiting for auditions to start.