MY FAIR LADY coming back to Broadway in 2014?

[henrikegerman]

"She's black. I am VERY certain there were no black cockney women in Edwardian London. Maybe Eastenders 2012."

I would think you would be very wrong about there being no black cockneys in Edwardian England. Black people have lived in England since Roman times.

However, there are very good reasons to have Eliza cast as a white woman. The issue of verbal class distinctions is paramount in My Fair Lady without adding another obvious distinction which would clearly be a related social issue and which, if went unspoken of, would seem preposterous.

Not to mention that Zoltan would never believe Audra to be a Hungarian princess.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_British

[henrikegerman]

repeat post

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Let me give it a shot, henrik.

2000 years of black history in Britain

[henrikegerman]

^thanks, I needed that.

[Greatwhiteway3]

Yeah.. I'm pretty sure I said there were no COCKNEY black women.. Not black people in England. Find me a photo of a female black flower seller in Covent garden in 1900 and then lets talk.

[theatergeek3]

Michelle Dockery, please, please, please! I LOVE her! :)

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

I know I'm in the minority, and this debate comes up a lot and we all know each other's position, but I honestly couldn't care less about seeing a woman of color as Eliza. Of course Audra is too old for the role now but it's such a great opportunity that it'd be unfortunate for her name not to be considered. I'm all about suspension of disbelief, and if I can accept that people are breaking out into song, I can accept one of our most beloved Broadway divas as Eliza accent or no accent. McDonald seems to provoke the most interesting discussions in this respect, I truly do wonder what the discussion was around casting her in CAROUSEL and 110 IN THE SHADE.

[beautywickedlover]

I don't know if Laura Michelle Kelly will be playing Eliza in this revival, but I am glad that she will be doing it at a concert that will take place at the Kennedy Center.

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Gregory-Jbara-Laura-Michelle-Kelly-Jonathan-Pryce-to-Lead-MY-FAIR-LADY-Concert-at-Kennedy-Center-45-20130226

[MCfan2]

What a great cast! I am so there!

[CarlosAlberto]

It may have been the nerves...but Anne Hathaway's voice sounded wobbly on the Oscar telecast. Not at all pleasant to these ears at least, so it leaves me to doubt if she is even up to the challenge of taking on this role 8 shows a week.

[dreaming]

I like that Kennedy Center cast a lot. That's who they should cast in the revival! It's perfect!

[beautywickedlover]

I'm not 100% sure about Cloris Leachman as Mrs. Higgins, but the rest of the cast is excellent.

[Phantom of London]

I just wish I could be in Washington that weekend, that is one stellar cast.

[thirtythirtyninety]

Wow, that is a fantastic line up. Wish THIS cast were coming New York

[lynnetoomey]

GREAT CAST at the KC.Wow.

[beautywickedlover]

"so it leaves me to doubt if she is even up to the challenge of taking on this role 8 shows a week"

If she does indeed this show I think they will still have an alternate/standby.

[rorschach37]

I will DEFINITELY be at KC for this. WOW.

[newintown]

If we're talking non-traditional, how about thinking about Jackie Hoffman's take on Eliza? Or Mary Testa? Or Varla Jean Merman? Let's be really imaginative!

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

http://broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-Bartlett-Sher-to-Direct-MY-FAIR-LADY-Revival-20130308

Bart Sher is directing. I have faith he'll do a good job, but this is kinda safe, boring news.

[GlindatheGood22]

So it's Kelli O'Hara, then.

[jv92]

Sher is the only man for the job-- but I hope he doesn't choose Kelli O'Hara or Anne Hathaway...especially not Hathaway. If he can pick someone as surprising as Paulo Szot was in SOUTH PACIFIC, that would be wonderful.

[IdinaBellFoster]

How much time off did O'Hara take off after her first child? She's pregnant again.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Is the hatred for Hathaway because you guys just don't like her personality, or because you don't think she's talented enough?

I think her personality is annoying as hell, and she certainly wouldn't be my #1 choice to play Eliza, but I'm not completely turned off by the idea of her in the role.

[Kad]

Hathaway would be fine in Pygmalion. But she can't sing this role.

[elphaba.scares.me]

Kelli is lovely but ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Someone new and interesting, please!

[AnythingGoes23]

Angela Lansbury for Mrs Higgins...

Great to see this coming back.

I can't see them casting a black Eliza Doolittle, you can change the historical context and placement of the era and book iris set it, so it just wouldn't work. Some things just can't happen, it would be like casting a white male as Porgy