My Fair Lady

Critiqued by Holly Bartges

January 22, 2010

When Community Theatre believes in itself, magic happens. The key? Expectation.

The E Project opened with My Fair Lady. Yes, that My Fair Lady, the Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Lowe musical, adored by millions. According to the E Project’s Artistic Director, Michael Emmett, My Fair Lady is the E Project’s first attempt at a musical, and it is an eye-opener. When it was first announced, they would be doing My Fair Lady, Emmett said a barrage surrounded him with “Are you out of your mind?” Playing to a sold out house during the opening weekend, the E Project broke through the community theatre barrier.

Cast of The E Project's production of My Fair Lady.

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture, Pygmalion, Lerner and Lowe introduced the world to Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle turning My Fair Lady into one of the most beloved musicals of all time with Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?, Why Can’t A Woman Be More Like A Man?.

Tyler Collins wraps Higgins so tightly around him; he produces one of the finest portrayals I have ever seen.

Why? He’s real, honest, without glossing over any emotion, Collins allows the anger Higgins trembles with to explode, the confusion, Eliza brings to him, strikingly out there for all to witness. This arrogant, self-centered, irritating master of the English language, plays with his humor, trembles in his anger, sitting stunned in his perplexity presenting an honest, open, selfish, human being. There are times you laugh with him, a few times at him. He makes you want to cry when appropriate, and cheer for him when reality sinks into his thick head.

Standing tall with the same freedom of expressed emotion is Jennifer York opening herself to Eliza, a simple flower girl wanting to challenge Higgins to his bet to become a duchess. What is truly amazing is York is an actor, but this is the first time she engulfed herself in a musical. It won’t be her last.

Combining Collins and York is genius. Although I have heard the music skillions of times, and witnessed several productions, and good ones at that, I felt I met Higgins and Eliza for the first time. That’s a mouthful, but a truth.

The set designed by Emmett points in the direction of where the action takes place. Not elaborate, and doesn’t need to be. Two large empty frames hang upstage on either side. At times they are windows. At times frames for the chorus to add their collective portraits to the surroundings. It’s brilliant.

Cast of The E Project's production of My Fair Lady.

Initially, Tim Fishbaugh produced some miner disappointment as Colonel Pickering; until truth came forth.  Fishbaugh had just stepped into the role a couple of weeks before the show opened. Grady Sherman was slated for Pickering, and unexpectedly died three weeks before. The run of My Fair Lady is dedicated to his memory. Considering the turmoil of the shock and loss of a great friend, my hat goes off to Fishbaugh. He’s actually, quite appealing in some scenes. He needs to be willing to change expression. Wearing a slight sly smile most of the time, it doesn’t work when he himself, exhausted over the long push with Eliza, flares up with Higgins, and he’s smiling. Considering what the production company had been through, and Fishbaugh’s willingness to jump in at the last minute, as far as I am concerned, he can smile whenever he wants to.

Running Higgins household can be anything but pleasant, requiring a good deal of organization and determination. Becky Donnella looks the part of Mrs. Pierce, but needs some strength in her voice. Some of her lines are barely audible. In reality, I don’t think she’d last five minutes with Higgins, particularly this one. All Donnella needs to do is grab Mrs. Pierce by the throat and take charge. In site of his cocky demeanor, Higgins needs direction. Without her, Higgins couldn’t function, and she needs to let him know how valuable she is to him. Can’t pussy foot around this man.

Just for the record, it would be helpful in the program to list the songs and who is singing along with the time frame and setting. It is a possibility, there are time frame and setting. It is a possibility, there are those out there who have never seen the stage play, or haven’t heard the songs in quite some time. Difficult to believe, but never the less possible.

Directed and choreographed by Hannah Kugelmann, Emmitt also handled the musical direction and production design. The show said, without question, both understood the cast they worked with. The use of space was remarkable moving from scene to scene. The stylized scene at the Ascot race provided the portrait of the well to do attending THE social event of the year: showing off their outfits, their manners, while flaunting their station in life, making it all the more rich when Eliza, groomed to the teeth, explodes with her inborn enthusiasm for her horse of choice to win. You know that moment is coming, but when it does, York’s portrayal turns it into a brand new event.

Of course, Freddie Eynsford Hill falls in love with her at that moment. Why wouldn’t he? A young man caught in the circle of high society would find Eliza refreshing. Played by Michael Deni, my first reaction was he was far too young to pull off Freddie’s role. He looked 17, and he is 17. After some pondering, the age isn’t the issue. 17 year olds frequently fall in love with 20 somethings. What he needs to do is take a deep breath, and slow down his lines so the meaning tumbles out. Deni carries a strong voice that is particularly sound for On The Street Where You Live. I just wanted to see a little more depth that he honestly believes he is in love with Eliza, and not just thrilled to be singing that song. This young actor shows great promise for musical theatre.

Cast of The E Project's production of My Fair Lady.

Because of the stylizing of the Ensemble, comprised of Emily Lujan, Megan Curry, Emmitt, and Terry Lindeman, they add a great deal to their scenes. Their voices blend well, they are always conscious of where they are, and what they are doing, how they fit into a specific scene, and their relationship to each other. A point not always mastered in community theatre. They mastered it well. Their expressions charmingly match the moods of their songs.  

For the opening weekend, the change of scenes appeared on an easel with a flip chart for various characters to spell out. The words were difficult, and at times impossible to read. Hopefully, by now that has been rectified with a carefully printed flip chart.

OK, that’s being picky, although not picky for those not familiar with the story.

The point of all of this is the E Project has a show on the boards to be proud of, that deserves to be experienced, that contains THE Best, The most honest, Higgins and Eliza I have ever seen.

Call Now. Make reservations. It promises a night at the theatre you won’t regret. You’ll meet a Higgins and an Eliza you won’t soon forget, or even want to, and you will see a theatre coming into its own, which, perhaps, is the most thrilling aspect of all. Bottom line: My Fair lady is pure unadulterated MAGIC.

My Fair Lady
Book & Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner; Music by Frederick Loewe; Directed & Choreographed by Hannah Kugelmann; Musical Direction by Michael Emmitt