By Tayler Nowak Valentine
Antelopes will lope, ostriches will fan, kangaroos will do what kangaroos can, polar bears will wear top hats, leopards with spots will wear spats and hyenas will laugh as long as a long giraffe when students from Bluffton High School presents Doctor Dolittle JR. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 4, 5, 6. 

The whimsical musical follows the adventures of a small-town doctor in Victorian England who uses his special gift of being able to talk with animals to learn more about the world.
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Bluffton HS  present  Doctor Dolittle JR.
Friday and Saturday, June 4-5, at 7:30 p.m., and
Sunday, June 6, at 2 p.m. in middle school cafetorium
Reserved tickets, $5 •General admission tickets, $3 
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Doctor Dolittle JR. is part of the Music Theatre International Broadway Junior Collection, MTI’s special collection of musicals for younger performers which includes “JR.” titles, 60-minute musicals for performance by middle school children; and “KIDS” titles, 30-minute musicals for performance by elementary school children. 

“In this musical, Doctor Dolittle becomes the world greatest animal doctor by learning how to speak the thousands of different dialects of creatures. 

This 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.” says Freddie Gershon, CEO of MTI.

About Doctor Dolittle JR.
Featuring a book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, Doctor Dolittle JR. is based on the Doctor Dolittle stories by Hugh Lofting and also on the Twentieth Century Fox film staring Rex Harrison, which won Academy Awards for “Best Original Song” and “Best Visual Effects” and earned an Academy Award nomination for “Best Picture.” 

Set in the year 1837, the musical follows a Dr. John Dolittle, who is loved by everyone in his Western England fishing village community, Puddle-By-The-Sea. 

After a particularly unsuccessful appointment with a not-so-friendly General Bellowes, Dr. Dolittle realizes his calling and vows to become an animal doctor. 

With the help of a wise parrot named Polynesia, Dr. Dolittle begins to learn how to speak to animals.  Five years later, Dr. Dolittle has learned almost 500 animal languages, has a thriving practice and is planning a grand adventure to seek out the oldest and wisest creature ever to inhabit the Earth: the great pink sea snail.

However, through the course of fundraising, Dr. Dolittle makes good on a promise to help a seal escape the circus and reunite with her husband. This act of friendship lands Dr. Dolittle in court and eventually in an asylum.

Dr. Dolittle must find a way to free himself so that he may find the great pink sea snail and gain a greater understanding of the world and its inhabitants.

BHS will present the MTI Broadway Junior production Doctor Dolittle JR. on Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, June 6, at 2 p.m. at Bluffton Middle School cafetorium.

Reserved tickets cost $5 and may be purchased in the Middle School Office.  General Admission tickets are $3 and may be purchased at the door.    

Cast members include: Riley Greer, Melina Meza, Kiera Rieman, Jordyn Garmatter, Ian Rieman, Will Neff, Daniel Creeger, Caitlyn Couch, Celia Smith, Allison Burghaze, Cole Bowers, Tayler Nowak Valentine, Alissa Beck, Carly Hannum, Libby Frazier, Megan Gunnett, Dan Smith and

Stage Crew: Izzy Stechschulte, Alyssa Hoffman, Adanna Johnstone, Justin Bishop, Sabina Clingerman, and Avery Smith. 

Directed by: Kara Zink and Kevin Gratz.