ANIMAL ATTRACTION TOMMY TUNE DANCES HIS KID-FRIENDLY `DR. DOLITTLE' INTO L.A.

Byline: Evan Henerson Theater Writer

Most people looking to shower gifts upon a dote-worthy godchild usually content themselves with giving a stuffed animal, a cool toy, maybe an article of clothing.

Not Tommy Tune. On top of what he has already done for 3-year-old Luca - the nephew of his personal assistant, Peter Glebo - the Broadway song and dance man decided to present the child with an entire musical. A touring musical version of ``Dr. Dolittle,'' directed by and starring a nine-time Tony award-winning actor/director/choreographer, no less.

That would be Tune himself, the showman-turned-family theater guy whose ``Dolittle'' stint continues through March 5 at the Pantages Theatre.

``I'd been a godfather before, and I didn't understand what it meant,'' says Tune. ``When this show came along, and I was figuring, 'Look, should I do it and, if so, why am I doing it?' Then I realized, 'Oh my God, this is perfect.' Because I can make a show that will introduce a child to live legitimate theater, and it's not `Dora the Explorer' and it's not 'The Teletubbies on Ice.' ''

``It's a legitimate theater piece using the craft I know from having spent my life doing this, but translating it into a show for young children and their parents.''

OK, so perhaps the show isn't meant exclusively for Luca, although the boy's parents will bring him this week to the Pantages Theatre, where ``Dr. Dolittle'' will have its West Coast premiere. Nor is this ``Dolittle'' - based on the 1967 Rex Harison movie, not on the Eddie Murphy remakes - a case of Tune constructing a project entirely from the ground up.

It's safe to say, however, that Tune would not necessarily have moved into the family theater realm had there not been an appreciative 3-year-old in his life.

``This is sort of the kinder, gentler Tommy Tune, if you will,'' says ``Dolittle'' co-star Dee Hoty. ``That he has mellowed doesn't mean he's lost his edge. He has become - and this sounds odd - larger-hearted. I see him engaged by this child who has come into his life and kind of transformed it in a dear and sweet way.''

Last October, producers shut down the existing ``Dolittle'' tour following lackluster reviews and poor business. Brought in potentially to fix ``Dolittle,'' Tune elected to start from scratch: shortening and recasting the production. With Tommy Tune in the lead, the good doctor now doesn't simply talk to the animals, he shares a few dance steps with them as well.

The menagerie includes dog, pig, horse, seal. Chee-Chee the chimpanzee is played by 12-year-old Aaron Burr, who Tune spotted last summer while judging a ``Good Morning America'' dance competition. Dr. D., who isn't supposed to be terrifically good with human beings, also has a love interest: one Emma Fairfax, played by frequent Broadway actress Hoty, who Tune has directed twice before. Gone is the lengthy exposition as well as several extraneous characters. On weeknights, ``Dr. Dolittle'' will have a 7:30 p.m. curtain time and, with no intermission, will let families out by 9 p.m. to return home in time for a reasonable bedtime.

The show, Tune insists, is in no way meant to be cynical or particularly complex. It's pure escape, with animals that will delight young children and an Oscar-winning score (by Leslie Bricusse) that parents and grandparents may recognize.

``There's so much to be afraid of now,'' says Tune. ``If, for 90 minutes, I can take not just children, but people out of that reality and into some nicer place that, when you come out of it, you're going, 'Yay!' - then I think I'm doing my job.''

Rakishly dressed and sitting next to a ``Dolittle'' billboard, Tune folds his endlessly long legs into a chair. Newly arrived from Denver, the 6-foot-6 performer wears his hair long and slightly graying. The man who once logged more than 1,500 performances of ``My One and Only'' and spent 2 1/2 years in the Las Vegas show ``EFX'' will celebrate his 67th birthday during the L.A. run of ``Dolittle.''

He positively beams when the subject turns to children, whether it be Luca or the younger audiences who, Tune says, are sitting at the fronts of their seats during each stop along the ``Dr Dolittle'' route.

Tune figured he had something even before audiences started arriving, thanks to Luca, who has also proven to be a valuable set of critical eyes. Once ``Dolittle'' had been recast and Tune took his new company into the rehearsal room, he brought his godson in to watch a run-through.

``All we had was the piano and the cast,'' recalls Tune. ``I had his mom bring him in just to see. He watched it from beginning to end and he didn't move. I said, 'Wait until I give him the costumes and sets and lights!' ''

Evan Henerson, [phone]

evan.henerson(at)dailynews.com

DR. DOLITTLE

Where: Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood

When: 7:30 tonight and Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays; through March 5.

Tickets: $25 to $68. Call [phone] or visit www.BroadwayLA.org.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) no caption (Tommy Tune)

Gus Ruelas/Staff Photographer

(2) no caption (Tommy Tune and bird performers)