The Buell Theatre:

      THROUGH NOVEMBER 27

 

With book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, My Fair Lady is based upon George Bernard Shaw’s play, Pygmalion. The 1956 Broadway production won six Tony Awards including Best Musical. The 1964 film got the Academy Award for Best Picture.

     Bartlett Sher’s direction of this classic musical brings all those things you’ve loved and cherished about My Fair Lady for so long to this production … as well as a bit of a twist.

     Sher’s production, which was nominated for 10 Tony awards, leans much more heavily upon Shaw’s original intentions than most. Known for his feminist views, Shaw mirrored much of what was going on in Ibsen’s plays, such as “A Doll’s House.” 

      That said, Sher’s slant on the work is more realistic, and less romantic than most.

      As linguistics professor Henry Higgins, Jonathan Grunert sings the part, rather than relying on the recitative performance we remember so well from that of Rex Harrison. His rendition of “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face,” is poignant indeed!

     Madeline Powell puts her own personal stamp on this portrayal of Eliza Doolittle, the cockney flower girl Higgins tries to transform into his version of a proper English lady.  Blonde and beautiful, Powell slowly unveils her gorgeous soprano in much the same way that she unveils her character’s evolving linguistic facility with the English language. When she unleashes that golden soprano in “The Rain in Spain” and “I Could Have Danced All Night” it’s ear-pleasing to say the least.

     As Freddy Eynsford-Hill, Cameron Loyal gives “On the Street Where You Live,” its due as well as doing some very fine vocal sparring with Powell’s Eliza in their duet, “Show Me.”

     Becky Saunders’ portrayal of Mrs. Higgins is magnificent.

     Michael Hegarty is a total delight as Eliza’s father, Alfred P. Dolittle. His singing and acting of “With a Little Bit of Luck” and “Get Me to the Church on Time” are both glorious!!!

     Catherine Zuber’s design for the gown Eliza wears to the Embassy Ball is exquisite!!!

     The Ascot Gavotte is beautifully staged. The costume design by Catherine Zuber is eye-popping and the sound design by Marc Salzberg and Beth Lake superb.

     As Zoltan Karpathy, Daniel James Canaday brings great comic sparkle to the scene at the Embassy Ball. His performance, if slightly more amicable, is just north of that of Kenneth Mars as Hugh Simon in the film, “What’s Up, Doc?” 

   David Andrew Rogers music direction and conducting of the My Fair Lady Orchestra in the pit is outstanding!!!

     Lovers of musical theatre should make plans to see this compelling production soon. It’s only here a few more days.

 

For tickets call 303-893-4000 or go online at denvercenter.org