My Fair Lady- Almost Loverly

It's hard to overlook the wonderful tunes of Lener & Loewe. One cannot walk away without humming memorable notes from "Wouldn't It Be Loverly", With A Little Bit of Luck" and "I Could Have Danced All Night."  These songs truly have a life of their own and are well delivered in Cameron Mackintosh's tour direct from London.

This is a huge and for the most part handsome hit that continues to dazzle the crowds with lavish costumes, and large sets that are less than warm and charming, yet flow smoothly from scene to scene. Matthew Bourne's choreography is witty and adds  a few refreshing changes that enhance the scenes, especially in the "Get Me to the Church On Time" favorite.

But there is a distinct lack of development and connection between the characters. Lisa O'Hara plays a very young Eliza, who delivers her role with spunk and a sweet young voice. There are a few endearing tender moments in her portrayal of the transformed flower girl. But at times her delivery seems rushed. Christopher Cazenove's Henry Higgins quickly barks through most of his lines in an uneven pace. It's only in his final delivery of " I've Grown Accustom To Her Face" that we see his character realized. For a cockney linguist, his diction is far from easily heard or understood. His "Why Can't the English?" may have been proper but who would know?  He misses several classic opportunities to reacquaint us with the "old friend", the professor who takes us on his journey from annoyance to admiration. There is clearly no real angst, or subtle moments between Eliza and Henry to convince us that anything other than lengthy lectures and soaring songs are taking place.  Walter Charles' witty at times stuffy Colonel Pickering has his moments of humor with "You Did It".  But neither Higgins nor Pickering capture enough wit to warm up a rushed "A Hymn to Him." 

Marni Nixon plays Mrs. Higgins with great panache, as the audience is more than aware of her legacy of talent. The role of Freddy, Eliza's young admirer, played by Justin Bohon, seems focused on hitting his notes in "On the Street Where You Live" and generates little fondness for his character and misses the mark.  

The one actor who not only hits the mark but delights the audience is Tim Jerome as Alfred P. Doolittle. Jerome's earthy, robust Doolittle tickles your funny bone and he appears to be having a wildly wonderful time. The company and orchestra do an admirable job interpreting the songs and music.  It is the soaring tunes costumes and choreography that make this production rich. 

My Fair Lady played at the Academy of Music, Philadelphia Pa from March 11-16. For information tickets to upcoming events www.kimmmelcenter.org/broadway. Or call 215.731.3333.

My Fair Lady book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner, musical by Frederick Loewe, adapted from Pygmalion by Bernard Shaw, directed by Trevor Nunn (redirected by Shaun Kerrison), Choreography and Musical Staging by Matthew Bourne (Choreography restaged by Fergus Logan)

Cast
Henry Higgins……………..Christopher Cazenove
Lisa O'Hare…………………………..Lisa O'Hare
Alfred P. Doolittle………………….....Tim Jerome
Colonel Pickering………………….Walter Charles
Mrs. Pearce……………………..Barbara Marineau
Mrs. Higgins…………………………Marni Nixon
Freddy Eynsford-Hill………………...Justin Bohon
Ensemble: David Abeles/ Harlen Bengel/ Eric Briarley/ Wilson Bridges/
Ronald L. Brown/ Debra Cardona/ Elizabeth DeRosa/ Kyle Deschamps/
Bill Dietrich/ Michael J. Farina/ Warren Freeman/ Jazmin Gorsline/
Robin Haynes/ Marnee Hollis/ Lisa Kassay/ Adam Laird/ Lainie Munro/
Cathy Newman/ Georga Osborne/ Lauren Pastorek/ Byron St. Cyr/
Jesse Swimm/ David Tankersley/ Stephanie Van Duynhoven/
Erin Willis/ Lee Zarrett

 

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