Paul Alexander Nolan Replaces Douglas Hodge in MY FAIR LADY at Bay Street Theater; Full Cast Set!

Bay Street Theater has announced the full cast and creative team of MY FAIR LADY, Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, Music by Frederick Loewe, Based on Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw & Gabriel Pascal's motion picture, and Directed by Michael Arden, Tony Award nominee and Outer Critics Circle Award-winner for Best Director of a Musical for the Broadway revival of Spring Awakening. MY FAIR LADY will run August 2 - 28.

The production will star Paul Alexander Nolan (Bright Star/Drama Desk nominee, Doctor Zhivago/Outer Critics Circle nominee, Once, Jesus Christ Superstar, Daddy Long Legs) as Professor Henry Higgins and Kelli Barrett (Doctor Zhivago, Wicked, Rock of Ages) as Eliza Doolittle. Nolan replaces the previously announced Douglas Hodge who had to withdraw from the production due to scheduling conflicts with two television series.

Also starring will be Tony nominee Howard McGillin (The Phantom of the Opera, Gigi, Anything Goes, and featured in Bay Street's Grey Gardens last season) as Colonel Pickering; Tony Award-winner Carole Shelley (The Elephant Man, Billy Elliott: The Musical, Wicked, The Odd Couple) as Mrs. Higgins; Karen Murphy (A Little Night Music, 9 to 5, All Shook Up) as Mrs. Pearce/Mrs. Eynsford-Hill; John O'Creagh (National tours of Hello, Dolly! andWest Side Story) as Alfred P. Doolittle;Bobby Conte Thornton (New York: Starting Here Starting Now; Regional: "Forum" andA Comedy of Tenors)as Freddy Eynsford-Hill; and Ryan Fitzgerald (International Tour:West Side Story) as Karpathy.

The Ensemble includes Kyle Barisch, Jen Bechter, Roger DeWitt, Meghan LaFlam, Mickey Rafalski, Lindsay Roberts, and Bradley Allan Zarr.

The production team includes Chase Brock (Choreography), Adam Wachter (Music Director), Dane Laffrey (Set Design), Asta Bennie Hostetter and Dane Laffrey(Costume Design), Howell Binkley (Lighting Design), Joel Abbott (Sound Design), Andrew Diaz (Props Design), Meg Murphy (Hair and Makeup Design), andStephen Gabis (Dialect Coach). Casting by Stewart/Whitley.

When Eliza Doolittle, a cockney flower seller, meets the imperious and attractive Professor Henry Higgins one night in Covent Garden, they agree to embark on a daring experiment together. Higgins wagers that he can transform the "deliciously low" Eliza into a lady fit for society by teaching her to speak more beautifully. Sparks fly in what becomes a funny and ferocious battle of the sexes, a struggle of classes, and a rollicking romance. Acclaimed director Michael Arden's innovative new production will feature two pianos and fifteen actors who will bring the classic story to life in ways you've never seen before. One of the greatest musicals of all time, with a magnificent score featuring the beloved songs "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Wouldn't It be Loverly" and "On the Street Where You Live," this Fair Lady is a perfect musical for the whole family.

"Bay Street's 25th Anniversary Season is one of our biggest ever," says Artistic Director Scott Schwartz, "This bold new production of one of the greatest musicals of all time will be a thrilling finale to the season. Paul Alexander Nolan and Kelli Barrett are two of the most exciting actors working in the musical theater today, and I know they will bring such life, vitality, humor and passion to Professor Higgins and Eliza. Bay Street is also delighted to welcome the legendary, Tony Award winning actress Carole Shelley to the cast, joining Tony nominee Howard McGillin, Karen Mason, John O'Creigh and the rest of this brilliant company who will make this Fair Lady an event not to be missed."

The 2016 Mainstage Season is sponsored in part by New York State through the generosity of Assemblyman Fred Thiele and State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle; the New York State Council on The Arts, a State Agency; Town of Southampton; The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust; The Shubert Foundation; and fully or partially funded by the Suffolk County Executive's Office. Support for new work comes from The New Directions Fund and the Joseph Stein New Musical Fund. Previews are sponsored by Peconic Landing. Sponsored in part by Baron's Cove.

STUDENT SUNDAY MATINEES returns this summer for all students can receive (1) FREE admission for the 2pm Sunday performances of MY FAIR LADY. Valid student ID must be shown.

Returning this year is TALKBACK TUESDAYS with Bay Street's Artistic Director, Scott Schwartz, and members of MY FAIR LADY cast following each Tuesday performance except for preview week.

A "Pay What You Can" performance will take place on August 2 at 7 pm with a limited amount of tickets available on the day of the performance after 11 am at the Box Office only. They are available on a first- come, first-served basis.

Performance times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Sundays at 7 pm; Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm. Matinees at 2 pm on Wednesday August 10, 17, 24 and Sundays August 14, 21 and 28.

For more information or to purchase a 2016 Mainstage Season subscription, log on towww.baystreet.org or call the Box Office at 631-725-9500 Tuesday - Saturday 11 am - 5 pm.

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