When Oxford’s Fred Dankert passed away in March this year at the ripe old age of 83, he left behind a lifetime’s legacy in a variety of arenas. A true Renaissance man, the New York City-born Fred was a veteran, research chemist, inventor, and, how I came to know him, playwright. Through his work with the Oxford Civic Theatre and other local thespian groups, I admired Fred over the years for his hearty laugh, deft comedic touch, and his way with fellow actors.

I can think of no better tribute to the late artist than to re-stage one of his original plays in his memory. That’s what the Oxford troupe is doing this weekend, performing “The Last Doll: A Children’s Christmas Musical” at the high school auditorium tonight and Saturday at 7 p.m.

Co-authored by Oxford’s Diane Thorne, who reworked some of the musical score for this weekend’s show, “The Last Doll” was originally penned by Fred as a short story decades ago before he reimagined it as a musical in partnership with Diane. The Oxford Civic Theatre staged it for the first time in 2008 while Fred was still with us. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see it for reasons I can’t recall, but luckily I was able to remedy that last night at a dress rehearsal for this weekend’s performances.