Tommy Tune talking to animals

When Tune accepted the task of revamping the failed traveling musical "Dr. Dolittle" in 2005, the song-and-dance icon looked to his 2-year-old godson Luca for inspiration.

"I was doing this show for Luca, so I thought, 'How am I going to move this story and make it work for him?' " recalled the performer in a phone interview last week from Hollywood.

Tune, 67, started from scratch, first trimming the show — based on the 1967 Rex Harrison flick and opening at the Tucson Music Hall Tuesday — from 2 1/2 hours to 90 minutes without an intermission.

"That is the most I could ask Luca to be attentive," Tune said.

He then played with the tone and speed of the story. Sets became flashier and more vibrant and changed more often throughout the production.

"The world moves much faster today," he said. "Kids use computers and video games and things. When I tell Luca a story I have to keep things moving."

Finally, Tune cast himself as the good doctor and added several dance numbers to the once-danceless production, though he admits that was probably more for his own benefit.

"I wanted dance in the show because I am a dancer," Tune said. "I had to really look to where I could wedge them in. I think I did a good job. All the dances fit well and push the story ahead. People love dancing so much. You don't want to not have it in the show.

"This production is the perfect way to introduce a younger audience to the theater. I don't want to give people an ordinary show. I want to give them an extraordinary show. For 90 minutes I want to deliver them to a higher, gentler, more thrilling place."

Now a few cities into its revived run, the more family-friendly "Dr. Dolittle" has worked out all of its past demons according to Tune.

The 6-foot-6 performer can't and doesn't, however, take all the credit. Aside from Tune's longstanding attributes both on the stage and behind the scenes, "Dolittle" is jam-packed with a solid cast and production crew, he said.

Among the talent is actress Dee Hoty, whose vocal abilities have made her a mainstay on the Broadway stage, as Dolittle's love interest, Emma Fairfax.

Tune had worked with Hoty before, but only as her director in shows like "Will Rogers Follies" and "The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public."

"I have always wanted to be in a play with her but didn't think I would ever get the chance," Tune gushed. "She is an extraordinary actress but beyond that she is an extraordinary human being. She has this gift. Her voice is so beautiful and she sings some of the most beautiful songs in the show."

Also part of the cast is 12-year-old Aaron Burr as Chee-Chee the dancing monkey.

Burr, a tap dancer by trade, was handpicked by Tune to play Chee-Chee after the director judged him in a dance competition on "Good Morning America." The young performer had no stage experience prior to "Dolittle," but Tune had confidence in his abilities.

"He is a quick learner and a good dancer," Tune said. "And he is such a little Southern gentleman. The cast has adopted him."

Despite all of its changes, the new "Dolittle" has received a mixed reception on the road.

The Hollywood Reporter accused the production of being "bland and mushy" compared with shows like "The Lion King," and Variety said the show was a definite improvement but still "creaked and groaned."

But Tune pays these critics no mind. He has already received two thumbs up from Luca.

"He came to see the show the other night," Tune said. "His mother said he was mesmerized. He couldn't take his eyes off the stage. When I heard that I just beamed. I thought, 'He got it!' "

QUICK TAKE

Dr. Dolittle

Playwright: Adapted from the 1967 film and "The Doctor Dolittle Stories" by Hugh Lofting

Director: Tommy Tune

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-next Thursday. 8 p.m. March 17-18. 2 p.m. March 18 and at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. March 19

Where: Tucson Music Hall (Main Stages map, Page 31)

Cost: $20-$60; 321-1000.

Running time: 90 minutes with no intermission