A Beguiling 'My Fair Lady'

(Photos By Joan Marcus)

"My Fair Lady" is the musical that is most often used to measure all others. The current revival, now playing at the Carnival Center, is, by far, the best production of perhaps the best musical ever created, that I have ever seen.

The Cinderella story of the horribly mannered and speaking poor flower girl transformed into a princess by the linguistics genius, Professor Higgins, has long been one of my most treasured theater pieces, as I am sure it is to millions of others. Indeed, "My Fair Lady" is a musical 'of its time,' being that it is driven by its glorious score and its witty and highly intelligent book.

The book, by the show's lyricist, Alan Jay Lerner, is a marvel of structure and fluidity. Mr. Lerner's work actually surpasses and clearly improves upon the source material, George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion." Just see productions of both and you will see what I mean. Lerner brought this story to sparkling heights that "Pygmalion" never reaches.

The music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Mr. Lerner, include what I often say is the best song ever written for the musical theater, On The Street Where You Live. The show also includes the musical theater masterpieces Wouldn't It Be Loverly, With A Little Bit Of Luck, I Could Have Danced All Night, The Rain In Spain, Get Me To The Church On Time, and I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face. One can clearly understand why "My Fair Lady" became the long run musical champ of its time, until it was dethroned by "Hello, Dolly!"

This gem of a revival is produced by Cameron Mackintosh, the man who brought us "Cats," "Les Miserables," "The Phantom Of The Opera," and "Miss Saigon." The rapid fire direction if provided by Trevor Nunn. Mr. Nunn's hand is the magical one that directed "Cats," "Starlight Express," "Les Miserables," "Sunset Boulevard," and "The Coast of Utopia." Together, they bring us a faster "My Fair Lady." Mr. Nunn rarely lets the show stop moving and the book scenes are performed more quickly than ever before, giving the show a more current day feeling.

The choreography and musical staging by Matthew Bourne are creative, exciting, touching, wonderful and vastly superior to the original. One of my lesser favorite songs in "My Fair Lady" has always been With A Little Bit Of Luck. As staged by Mr. Bourne, I absolutely loved the song tonight.

The sets and costumes designed by Anthony Ward are sumptuous, lavish and divine. Often reminiscent of Cecil Beaton's work in the Oscar winning best picture version of "My Fair Lady," Mr. Ward definitely supplies his own stamp and gives us a "Fair Lady" that is majestically beautiful to behold.

Lisa O'Hare is the most exciting new musical theater star I have seen in years. Hers is a fetching, and simply magnificent performance. If possible, her acting abilities, and mesmerizing singing voice are only matched by her physical beauty and electric stage presence. Her Eliza is one I will never forget. I suspect in generations to come, she will be remembered as one of the greatest Elizas, alongside Julie Andrews who created the part in the musical and Audrey Hepburn who starred in the film version. Speaking of starring, Ms. O'Hare is clearly THE star of this production. She makes one at times think they should perhaps change the title to "Lady Eliza" or "Eliza Fair" (I believe these titles were originally considered for the musical, but were discarded to secure Rex Harrison's star turn as Professor Henry Higgins. The "My" in "My Fair Lady" assured Mr. Harrison that he was the star of the show, via his billing and the show's title.)

Christopher Cazenove, did not "do it for me" as Professor Higgins. He is certainly a fully proficient performer and has some very fine moments. Of course, he immediately suffers from "lack of being Rex Harrison syndrome." Rex Harrison was born for this part or the part was born for Rex Harrison. Any Higgins I have seen has or had many miles to go to reach the level of genius Harrison achieved as Professor Higgins. Rex Harrison's Tony and subsequent Oscar for the film version were richly deserved and it is impossible to erase his performance from my mind. Starring along with Lisa O'Hare, Christopher Cazenove as Higgins is often left in the dust.

Tim Jerome is a spunky and joyous Alfred P. Doolittle (Eliza's Father) and his two English music hall numbers are highlights of this revival.

Broadway veteran Walter Charles is right on target as Colonel Pickering (Higgins' linguist pal who bets into transforming Eliza.)

Barbara Marineau is a spunky, voice belting Mrs. Pearce, Higgins' housekeeper. She is the liveliest Mrs. Pearce I have ever seen. Her performance is simply delightful.

Sally Ann Howes was a star, on and off in the late fifties through the sixties. She replaced Julie Andrews on Broadway as Eliza in the original "My Fair Lady," and starred with Dick Van Dyke in the film"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." Here, she plays Professor Higgins' mother. She looks lovely, performs admirably, and yet I found her performance somewhat lacking. I have seen other actresses take this rather small part and make it into something quite special indeed. I was disappointed that Sally Ann Howes did not accomplish that for me.

"My Fair Lady" will always be one of musical theater's great milestones. I suspect this grand revival is as good as it can ever possibly be, especially with the bewitching Lisa O'Hare as Eliza.

The final performance of "My Fair Lady" at the Carnival Center is December 23rd.

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