Produced by Pittsburgh CLO, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Independent Presenters Network and Columbia Artists Theatricals, the new stage version of the film by composer-writer Leslie Bricusse was a box-office disappointment when it premiered in late summer 2005 with a cast the producers said lacked marquee value and directorial punch. The tour shut down by October and was reconstituted in the following months with Tommy Tune as the veterinarian who talks to the animals (and Will Rogers' Follies star Dee Hoty as his love interest). Tune also re-conceived and directed the menagerie, recasting the troupe. The Tune tour played 202 performances. At this time, there are no plans for the show to go back out on the road, a spokesman said. No plan has been announced for the licensing of this version of the family-friendly property, which includes the song "Talk to the Animals."

The Dr. Dolittle cast included Aaron Burr, Joel Blum, Amanda Braddock, Jessica Leigh Brown, Kristin Dawn Calgaro, Matthew Crowle, Sandi DeGeorge, Jack Doyle, Mike Erickson, Joe Jackson, Lesley M. Klose, Scott Leindecker, Allan Mangasser, Lisa Morris, Amanda Rose, Jonathan Sandler, Sally Ann Swarm, Elisa Van Duyne, David F.M. Vaughn, Erin Webley, Steven Wenslawski and Jessica Wu. Adam Cates and Denise Payne were the dance captains and swings.