If music makes the musical, then who can argue with those who call the legendary My Fair Lady, "the greatest musical of all time?" Over the years, many of the show's lovely songs have become "standards." Who cannot hum a few lines from, "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Get Me to the Church on Time," or "On the Street Where You Live?"
A production that was boisterous when need be, and touching where it counts, played at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. It was the opening production of the Center's 2007-2008 Broadway Series. This version is based on the Cameron Mackintosh/National Theatre of Great Britain's award-winning London staging. Although the names in the cast may not be familiar, the characters they play certainly are well-known.
The essence of My Fair Lady is the vigorous and heated exchanges between the constantly warring Professor Henry Higgins, and his pupil, the flower girl, Eliza Doolittle. Higgins boasts he can turn this lower-life form into a duchess, and proceeds to do so. Doolittle does her best to infuriate him at every opportunity. Finally, inspiration strikes as she sings, "The Rain in Spain." Interestingly, don't expect any toned-down version of these polar opposite personalities: Higgins is insufferably chauvinistic and boorish, and Doolittle is stubborn and feisty.
As usual, the actor who plays Higgins can barely sing, while Doolittle warbles like a proverbial nightingale. Lisa O'Hare (as Doolittle) looks uncannily like Audrey Hepburn, who starred so memorably in the film version. She comes off as just a wisp of a young woman one who could easily be blown away by the slightest wind. And, yes, Christopher Cazenove as Prof. Higgins could give the film's Rex Harrison a run for his money. The comic timing between Higgins and Doolittle is darn near perfect in this production. The large cast, beautiful sets and intricate lighting all contribute to the production's strengths.
As the show opens, the ensemble provides a lively London street scene. But the production doesn't really take off until the next scene. Doolittle's deadbeat dad, Alfred P. Doolittle, is found in the local tavern. He rouses his drinking buddies and the dance hall girls to a wonderful rendition of, "With a Little Bit of Luck." The number builds and builds to a resounding crescendo. The innovative choreography takes some of its cue from the musical, Stomp, as some of the younger blokes tap dance with a trash can lid attached to one foot. The effect is very clever. However, at almost three hours, the show remains far too talky and lengthy. Act II is mainly a yawn once Doolittle, the product of an extreme makeover, proves her mettle at an embassy ball. Her dress and demeanor are stunning. Still, Higgins doesn't seem infatuated with her until much later. Before this occurs, the show-stopping Alfred P. Doolittle once again blows the top off this production with, "Get Me to the Church On Time." However, in this case the choreography and staging seem to work against him. The elder Doolittle seems so happy reveling in the gutter, one wonders exactly why he wants to get married. This puzzle is never resolved. The plot moves on to demonstrate many more conflicts between Higgins and Doolittle.
Other outstanding characters in the production include Colonel Hugh Pickering, a warm-hearted chum of Higgins, and Freddy, the lovelorn swell who stands outside Doolittle's door and sings "On the Street Where You Live."
Of special note is well-known actor Sally Ann Howe. She plays a minor role as Higgins' mother. It has been many years since Howe starred with Dick Van Dyke in the Disney film, "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," but she still performs superbly onstage.
