MY FAIR LADY Extends by a Week at Quintessence Theatre Group

For the second time this season, Quintessence Theatre Group is extending a mainstage production. With excellent reviews, sold out houses, and standing ovations, the classic musical - and holiday treat for the entire family - M. Fair Lady, will now close December 23.

The two-piano version of this show is performed at the Sedgwick Theater located at 7137 Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy. Tickets cost $18-$40 and are available online at www.quintessencetheatre.org or at the Box Office at time of performance.

Extension Week Schedule:
Wednesday, December 20, 7:30 pm
Thursday, December 21, 7:30 pm
Friday, December 22, 7:30 pm
Saturday, December 23, 2 pm and 7:30 pm

"In Quintessence's eight years we have never experienced this magnitude of love or enthusiasm from our audience," said Quintessence Artistic Director Alexander Burns. "Connecting Quintessence's vision of progressive classic theatre to a new audience of musical theatre aficionados makes M. Fair Lady an exciting step in our mission to build a regional theatre dedicated to the classics for northwest Philadelphia."

M. Fair Lady tells the story Henry Higgins, a celebrated professor of phonetics, who makes a bet that he can pass off a lower-class flower girl from Covent Garden as a duchess at the Ambassador's Ball. By dressing her in expensive clothing, improving her manners, and teaching her how to speak correctly, Higgins transforms Eliza Doolittle into a lady. Following the Greek myth of Pygmalion, Higgins becomes enamored with his creation, now the most eligible lady in London. Adapted from George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, with songs by Lerner and Loewe, M. Fair Lady is known as "the perfect musical." Its theme of a woman overcoming enormous odds to gain her independence despite the machinations of a troubled genius is as applicable today as it was in 1912 when the play takes place.

"It is a gift to experience M. Fair Lady in Quintessence's jewel box setting, the 99 seat Sedgwick Theater. In the age of sound amplification, it is a rare opportunity to see an acoustic presentation of a classic musical with such talented actor, singers and dancers only feet away," added Burns. "Many audience members who came as devotees of the film adaptation or a previous stage production of M. Fair Lady, have been surprised and delighted by the joyfulness, power and relevance of our contemporary exploration of this beloved musical."

Leading the cast are Quintessence regulars Leigha Kato as Eliza Doolittle and Gregory Isaac as Henry Higgins. The cast also includes: Lee Cortopassi as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, Doug Hara as Pickering, Bradley Mott as Doolittle/Karpathy/Ascot Lord, and Susan Giddings as Mrs. Pierce/Mrs. Higgins. (replacing Marcia Saunders for the extension week). The ensemble includes: Kristin Devine, Rakeem Lawrence, and Ebony Pullman.

Quintessence Artistic Director Burns directs this production. Christopher Ertlet is the Music Director. Doug Greene is the Set Designer. David Sexton is the Lighting Designer. Christina Bullard is the Costume Designer. Kaki Burns is the Choreographer. Marla Burkholder is the Dialect Coach. Lisa Sullivan is the Production Stage Manager.

Quintessence Theatre Group is a professional classic theater dedicated to the performance and adaptation of epic works of literature and drama for the Contemporary Stage. Its approach attracts both nationally-recognized and local actors who find challenge and inspiration in Quintessence's thought-provoking, innovative productions. It is building an acting ensemble with a rotating repertory at the historic Sedgwick Theater in the Mt. Airy neighborhood. As Quintessence Theatre Group's home, the Sedgwick, a 1928 art deco movie palace designed by William Lee, has regained its place as a jewel in Philadelphia's cultural landscape.

Photo Credit: Shawn May

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