Crispell Middle School students will bark, caw, roar, meow and sing about kindness to animals with their production of Doctor Dolittle JR this February.

 

Antelopes will lope, ostriches will fan, and kangaroos will do what kangaroos can, when students from Crispell Middle School present Doctor Dolittle JR. This whimsical musical follows the adventures of a small-town doctor in Victorian England who uses his special gift of being able to talk to animals to learn more about the world, showcasing an overarching theme of kindness throughout.

 

Newcomer James Parsons holds the titular role of Doctor Dolittle, gaining advice from his ever-present parrot, Polynesia, played by Odyssey of the Mind alumnus Adelina Keutmann. Village storytellers, played by Scarlett Voight and Gabriel Reaves, offer narration throughout the performance.

 

The circus is led by Albert Blossom, played by Dafne Gutierrez. Stomping across the stage as the “rather unpleasant” General Bellowes is seventh grader Austin Steinard, complemented by the more refined Emma Fairfax, embodied by eighth grader Grace Connors.

 

Returning as stage manager/student director and assistant stage manager are eighth graders Delaney Regan and Norah Kheiralla, respectively.

 

This year’s musical is directed again by veteran thespian and Pine Bush Elementary School teacher Stacey Venzel. Bringing his knowledge and skill set to the technical side of things is returning Tech Director Ralph Wagner, from the Music Department at Pine Bush High School. Crispell’s very own Christiana Wood, special education teacher, is assisting in all aspects of the production as a co-advisor.

 

Numerous high school and alumni volunteers have also proven invaluable to the production, which boasts a cast of 33 and crew of 25. The students are excited to continue the tradition of including cameo appearances by some of the school district’s administrators.

 

Fourth grade EJR and PBE students, accompanied by their teachers, will be attending an in-school dress rehearsal performance at the high school on the morning of Friday, Feb. 6.

 

“In this musical, Doctor Dolittle becomes the world’s greatest animal doctor by learning how to speak thousands of different creature dialects,” says Freddie Gershon, CEO of Music Theatre International. “His ability to connect and communicate sets him off on a fantastic life adventure. Similarly, through the common ‘language’ of this musical theater production, students with a wide range of interests and backgrounds are working as a team to create something together. We hope their audience outnumbers all the animals in the animal kingdom.”

 

Essential Information

Crispell Middle School presents Doctor Dolittle JR

• Friday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 7, at 4 p.m.
• Pine Bush High School, 156 Route 302, Pine Bush.
• Tickets are $8 at the door.