Act II Playhouse Presents MY FAIR LADY, 4/24-5/20

Act II Playhouse concludes its 2011/12 season with the classic Broadway musical My Fair Lady, directed and reimagined for the theatre's intimate venue and a small ensemble cast by Producing Artistic Director Bud Martin. The classic musical begins April 24 and runs through May 20.

"I think My Fair Lady has perhaps the best book of any musical ever written," Martin said. "It is a classic and virtually everyone knows and loves it. There are so few small musicals that have a book and music of its caliber."

This will be the first "classic" musical and the largest production the 130-seat theatre has ever staged.

"I watch lots of concert versions of major musicals on PBS that are quite moving and felt there was an opportunity to do something unique at Act II without needing a lot of physical production, but with emphasis on the storytelling and singing," Martin said.

Because the theatre's capacity is only 130, tickets are expected to sell quickly, and the public is encouraged to buy early. Tickets can be purchased at www.act2.org or by calling the box office at (215) 654-0200.

Three preview performances of Act II Playhouse's My Fair Lady will be held April 24-26 at 8 p.m., with tickets discounted to $27. Opening night (press opening) is Friday, April 27 at 8 p.m. (Reviewing members of the press are invited to opening night and may reserve tickets through Bill D'Agostino at bill@act2.org.) Tickets are $33 for all regular Wednesday-Thursday performances, $38 for Friday evenings, Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees, and $41 for opening night, which includes a post-show reception with free food and wine. Discounts are available for students, seniors 65 and older, and groups of 10 or more.

Set exactly 100 years ago, in 1912, My Fair Lady tells the story of Professor Henry Higgins (played by Act II's incoming Artistic Director Tony Braithwaite), the consummate London bachelor, whose life is turned upside down when he meets Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle (played by Eileen Cella). Complications ensue when Higgins makes a bet with his best friend (Colonel Pickering, played by Chris Faith) that he can train Eliza to pass her as a proper English lady.

"Since we are being a bit bold with our approach to the production, we are going to try to be bold with the tension between Higgins and Eliza," Martin said. "I hope everyone sees more in the characters than they did before, because there will be little distraction by large production numbers."

My Fair Lady will be the final production of Martin's four-year tenure as head of the theatre. The theatre recently announced that next season, starting July 1, Braithwaite will succeed him. Braithwaite has appeared in many of Act II's most popular and acclaimed productions, including Art, The Story of My Life and Boeing-Boeing.

"I think Henry Higgins is a perfect role for Tony because he can so easily do the sophisticated, self-centered, articulate and humorous male character," Martin said, "but when he wants to show you what is beneath his veneer, he can break your heart."

Cella is a newcomer to Act II, a recent graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, and a rising star, who previously appeared in The Little Prince Off-Broadway, Carousel at Plays and Players and First Day of School at 1812 Productions.

"Eileen was a discovery, thanks to Tony. She was a student of his that he directed at St. Joe's Prep. When she came in to audition, the minute I saw her, I knew she was Eliza. She is fresh, unassuming, and her beautiful voice is effortless," Martin said. "She also has a sense of naiveté and inexperience that is so good for the character. I can't wait to work with her. And I love the student/teacher angle for those two characters."

Based on Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, My Fair Lady boasts wit, wisdom and unforgettable songs, such as "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?" "Get Me to the Church on Time," and "I Could Have Danced All Night." Originally produced on Broadway in 1956, My Fair Lady is Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe's most popular musical collaboration, earning nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Three subsequent Broadway revivals and an acclaimed movie version starring Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn have ensured My Fair Lady's place in history as one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

The Act II Playhouse cast also includes Mary Martello (as Mrs. Higgins) and Mike Corr (as Mr. Doolittle). The ensemble is rounded out by Lindsay Mauck (as Mrs. Pearce), Jonathan Silver (as Freddie), Anabelle Garcia, Owen Pelesh, Harrison Post, and Jordi Wallen, all of whom play multiple roles.

Three of the cast members (Mauck, Pelesh and Post) will also be doubling as members of the band, playing the piano, flute, and violin and the piano.

Sonny Leo will be music director and choreographer. The set will be designed by Dirk Durossette and costumes will be designed by his wife, Millie Hiibel. The design for the production will be spare but elegant.

"We will create an environment that works for the whole show and introduce only what is necessary to get the right atmosphere," Martin said. "The idea is to surprise and delight the audience with a number of 'Ah ha!' moments by seeing how much we can accomplish with how little."

My Fair Lady is also set the same year as the beginning of Downton Abbey, the popular PBS series.

"It is interesting to me how we are so fascinated by English history and society, especially the huge disparity in class. It is easy to see how the lower classes got stuck there and had either such disdain or a sense of servitude towards the upper class," Martin said. "It is also interesting to see the importance of language within the upper classes and the number of varying regional accents among the lower classes. I love the joke in My Fair Lady about Americans not speaking English. I wonder what Higgins would say today if he were to read some text messages from teenagers."

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