It wasn’t their first choice, but when Dahlia Jones and Aneeka Phadnis got their parts they were happy. They had been separated this year after being classmates in third grade. Now they were together again — very much together! They were the front and back end of a llama in the Lee Road production of “Doctor Doolittle Junior.”
The kids will be presenting the show at the high school (not at Lee Road) at 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, and at 4 and 7 p.m. on Feb. 8. The Drama Club has reduced the price of tickets for the first performance, which is actually a dress rehearsal.
Dr. Doolittle is able to converse with animals, and there are plenty of them in the cast. Dahlia and Aneeka rattled off a list of them during an interview last week. They mentioned a poodle, a fox, a dog, two parrots and a seal.
Because of the the doctor’s unique ability, the kids portraying animals have speaking parts. Dahlia and Aneeka take turns saying the lines for the llama, which makes the creature seem a bit schizophrenic.
The animal also has an attitude. When someone mistakes it for another species, the llama gets insulted. “Who are you calling a yak?” it snorts in annoyance.
The llama also dances. The girls had wanted to do a cartwheel, but in their costume it wasn’t possible. They have worked hard on moving in unison, but there are times when they’re deliberately out of step — when the front and back halves move in different directions. People who notice that shouldn’t be afraid to laugh. It’s supposed to happen.
During their interview, the two fourth-graders summarized the plot and cited all the characters. They’ve practiced enough to know other people’s lines as well as their own. When asked if they’ve been rehearsing for long, they responded with the word, “oh.” And they said it in a way that made it obvious the answer was “yes.”
This is Dahlia’s fourth year with the drama club and Aneeka’s second. They’ve been waiting for fourth grade, becuase the oldest kids get the featured parts. The waiting is over. The girls have a part they can share, and they’re not disappointed.
Show helps animals
Julia Hughes, a Cornwall sophomore, is asking people not to come to the auditorium empty-handed. She’s collecting blankets, cat amd dog food, cat and dog toys, Lysol and newspapers for local animal shelters. Play-goers will also have an opportunity to donate cash, which will benefit Colby Kennels of New Windsor and the Hudson Valley SPCA. Collections will be made at all three performances.
