The Young Audience Sunday Series returns to Fairfield University's Quick Center for the Arts, March 9 with the Theatreworks/USA production of "Doctor Dolittle." Performances are at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. This delightful musical is based on Hugh Lofting's classic book and is designed to delight children in grades 2-6. There will also be a Monday, March 10, ArtsBound performance of the musical at 10 a.m. The ArtsBound Schoolday Series is co-sponsored by the Herman Goldman Foundation and the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation.
Lofting, a lieutenant in the Royal British Army, is separated from his son Colin during World War I. At his wife's urging, Lofting writes a story for him from the front. Despite the harsh conditions on the battlefield, Lieutenant Lofting's imagination comes alive as he concocts a marvelous tale about a kind-hearted physician who can talk with the animals: "The Story of Doctor Dolittle." This enchanting musical speaks to communication and the power of storytelling through close relationships and family.
In the little English town of Puddleby-on-Marsh, Doctor Dolittle lives with his animal friends. One day an African monkey seeks out the world-famous good doctor - there is a terrible illness afflicting his cousins, and Dolittle is the only one who can save them!
As Doctor Dolittle and his friends set sail, Colin becomes more and more enthralled with his father's story. He begs Lofting to put him in the tale so that he can go on the voyage too, and soon First Mate Colin joins Dolittle's travels. But when Lofting is injured in battle and is unable to write to his son, it's up to Colin to decide how the saga ends.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children for Sunday's performances and are available online. The ArtsBound Schoolday series tickets are $7. Tickets and Study Guides for the ArtsBound performance are available online at fairfield.edu/quick. You can also call the Box Office at (203) 254-4010 or the toll free number at 1-877-ARTS-396. Visit the website for further information at fairfield.edu/quick
Posted On: 02-12-2008 10:02 AM
Volume: 40 Number: 179