La Mirada Theatre
ABRIDGED REVIEWS
The Orange County Register
Friday, May 27, 2005
"Fair Lady" still captivates after all these years
Review: La Mirada cast shows its mastery of Lerner"s lyrics and Loewe"s melodies.
Special to the Register
Was there ever a truer Cinderella story than that of "My Fair Lady" - or, for that matter, "Pygmalion," the 1912 George Bernard Shaw play on which it"s based? Though the transformation of a downtrodden Cockney flower girl into an elegant lady may seem farfetched and implausible, that"s what makes the story so captivating.
Not only that - it was also surprisingly prescient, with the "new" Eliza insisting she be treated as the equal of men, not subservient to them. That concept, and the way Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe created a score packed with great songs, has made the pair"s 1956 musicalization of Shaw"s play one of the most durable in theater history.
It"s true that in his staging for McCoy Rigby Entertainment in La Mirada, Glenn Casale plays it safe, hewing closely to images familiar to most moviegoers. The results of this approach, though, can"t be argued: a musically solid, visually dazzling production buoyed along by a skilled cast that has mastered Loewe"s beautiful melodies and Lerner"s clever, often cheeky lyrics. The principals and a potent ensemble give musical director Dennis Castellano fine vocals, just as the pit orchestra"s renderings are well-modulated under his conducting hand. Sharell Martin"s costumes are glorious, while The Set Company"s scene design goes for muted realism.
At the center of it all, of course, is Henry Higgins, an eccentric professor with a freak talent for the science of phonetics who bets his pal Colonel Pickering, a fellow linguist, that he can turn the lowly Eliza into a lady by replacing what he terms her deplorable gutterspeak with the queen"s English.
The presumption (tongue in cheek?) is that the only thing separating each of Victorian England"s classes is their speech patterns, and so the game is afoot. For Eliza, though, it"s no game, and both Lerner and Shaw delve into the psychological havoc a complete personality makeover can wreak.
Blithely unaware of Eliza"s plight, Higgins views his knowledge of language, and his teaching skills, as a gift to be prized by her. With a mien suggestive of Jeremy Irons, Mark Capri captures his pip-pip/cheerio surface and, without getting too offbeat, his mad-scientist nature. Good with his character"s patter-style songs, Capri gives a particular punch to his dialogue, using his bobbing voice to reveal Higgins" true feelings for his pupil even as he struggles to keep a lid on them.
As Eliza, Glory Crampton lends unusual line readings in her early scenes, taking care to avoid caricature as she traces a realistic arc from the young woman"s gentle desperation to exultancy over her "Rain in Spain" epiphany to the soft-spoken, cultured Eliza who exposes the conviction of her feelings toward Higgins. Joseph R. Sicari is a deliciously seedy Alfred P. Doolittle, Eliza"s ne"er-do-well dad who enjoys being an "undeserving" member of the poor underclass. Though faint of lung power, Sicari sparkles in his two song scenes, rousing numbers that are, like Alfred, roguishly charming. S. Marc Jordan"s sputtering little Pickering is as daft as Higgins. As Freddy, smitten with the new Eliza, Damon Kirsche portrays elation when singing, vapid complacency when not. Judy Jean Berns has touches of regal snootiness as Higgins" mom, and as his housekeeper, Mrs. Pearce, Helen Geller displays genuine concern for Eliza"s fate.
San Gabriel Valley News
by Frances Baum Nicholson
Mark Capri captures the balance in Henry Higgins between selfish autocrat and endearingly original thinker. S. Marc Jordan bumbles charmingly as Col. Pickering. Helen Geller gives real starch to Higgins" housekeeper Mrs. Pearce - an important and often overlooked role. Damon Kirsche gives the handsome, dim Freddy Eynsford-Hill a wonderful set of pipes. Judy Jean Berns brings humor and warmth to Henry"s vexed and ladylike mother.
Glory Crampton really enjoys Eliza Doolittle"s independent spirit, and speaks George Bernard Shaw"s original lines with an authority he would appreciate. As "the most original moralist in England," Eliza"s dustman father, Joseph Sicari hits just the right note without becoming a carbon copy of the film character.
The thing looks right too. The choreography by Dan Mojica is no more derivative than it must be, and often charming. The costumes by Sharell Martin have enough of Cecil Beaton in them to be reminiscent of other productions, but then that"s what one expects, as one expects the very familiar look of Terry Hanrahan and Gina Farina"s production design.
Indeed, there are many things to praise about this "My Fair Lady," including an ending which finally deals with Eliza"s return without making the feminist in one writhe.
What: "My Fair Lady" When: Through June 5, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, with 2:30 p.m. matinees Saturday and Sunday Where: La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd. in La Mirada How Much: $32 - $40 Info: (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310
Press-Telegram
Friday, May 27, 2005
U-Entertainment
By Alessandra Djurklou
Staff Writer
A Delightful "Lady"
Makeover shows of all kinds are on television these days, showing people how to diet, dress, decorate, parent and generally live their lives better.
But they"ve got nothing on the musical "My Fair Lady," Lerner and Loewe"s story about the makeover of an uneducated London flower seller named Eliza Doolittle into a grand lady. At the end of the show, however, it isn"t just Eliza who has been made over. Her teacher, Henry Higgins, finds he may have had a smidgen of heart after all.
The two bump into each other in London"s music district, Covent Garden. He is a linguist, and can tell by an accent where anyone comes from. She is a poor flower seller, and he tells her that if she can get rid of her accent and speak like an upper-class lady, she will be able to get a better position in society. She takes him up on his offer, and romance between teacher and student eventually ensues.
A delightful production of this show opened last week at La Mirada Theater. With a great cast, beautiful costumes and an impressive set, this is definitely a lady to remember. One of the joys of this show has always been the music, and the ensemble did well with "Wouldn"t It Be Loverly," and "With a Little Bit of Luck." It is the leads, though, that have the best songs, and Glory Crampton as Eliza and Mark Capri as Higgins do a great job.
Crampton"s "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "Without You" were pitch perfect. Crampton"s take on the character was right on - her Eliza is strong and funny, but also vulnerable. Crampton does well with what must be a tricky transition from one accent to the other. The scene at the Ascot, where she first tries out her new skills, is hilarious. As for Capri, his Higgins is marvelous Ð insufferable, snotty and arrogant to the end, even though he finally can"t do without Eliza"s charms.
His big numbers, including the misogynistic "A Hymn to Him" and the lovelorn "I"ve Grown Accustomed to Her face" are both wonderful. One has to ask, however, why any woman would fall for this jerk Ð his own mother can"t stand him!
And indeed, in George Bernard Shaw"s "Pygmalion," which provides the basis for "Lady," Eliza winds up with her other suitor, Freddy.
Played as the perfect ingenue by Damon Kirsche, Freddy is a likable enough guy who meets Eliza at the Ascot horse races, becomes smitten and starts hanging around her house night and day (described with the song "On the Street Where You Live"). She finds comfort with him when she decides she"s had enough of Henry"s ill treatment, but that is not to last.
There"s plenty more color in an already colorful cast, and much of it is supplied by Alfred Dolittle, Eliza"s rascally father. Ever the opportunist, he decides to get money from Higgins once he finds out his daughter is living there taking dialect lessons. Joseph Sicari plays the role with a great deal of gusto, and shines on numbers such as "With a Little Bit of Luck" and "Get Me to the Church on Time."
Supporting players, including Helen Geller as Higgins" long-suffering housekeeper, S. Marc Jordan as Higgins" friend Col. Pickering and Judy Jean Berns as Higgins" mother, all do a nice job.
"MY FAIR LADY"
Where: La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday; though June 5
Tickets: $40 adults, $32 seniors
Information: (562) 944-9801.
Southern CA May 25, 2005
My Fair Lady
Reviewed By Les Spindle
"My Fair Lady"
presented by McCoy Rigby Entertainment in association with and at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Tue.-Thu. 7:30 p.m., Fri. 8 p.m., Sat. 2:30 & 8 p.m., Sun. 2:30 & 7 p.m. (Dark Sat. May 21, 2 p.m. & Sun. May 22, 7 p.m.) May 21-Jun. 5. $32-40. (562) 944-9801
There are those who consider this classic by Alan Jay Lerner (book and lyrics) and Frederick Loewe (music) to be the quintessential American musical. There were few examples of the cerebral tuner to match this magnificently crafted 1956 adaptation of George Bernard Shaw"s Pygmalion until Stephen Sondheim began reaching his prime in the 1970s. Pulling off this difficult show requires navigating a balancing act: capturing the trademark exuberance of the Broadway musical genre while giving equal attention to the literacy and wit of a Shavian masterpiece. Glenn Casale"s charming and melodic staging comes closer than most to fully mining the material"s dramaturgic riches. It"s blissfully entertaining.
As much a play as a musical, My Fair Lady depends on impeccable acting. Casale elicits an array of colorful and zesty portrayals. None is more exhilarating than Glory Crampton"s bravura take on the coveted lead role of Eliza Doolittle, the waif-like flower girl who makes a remarkable transition to regal lady. Her soaring soprano works magic with such vintage songs as "I Could Have Danced All Night," and she eloquently conveys the full range of Eliza"s emotions. Playing opposite her as the impossibly priggish Professor Higgins, Mark Capri looks and sounds right, at least on the surface.
It"s easy to see why he was tapped for the role. Yet there"s insufficient nuance and spontaneity in his interpretation. He comes across as less an insufferable blowhard than a slightly irritating twit; more stiff than stiff-upper-lip.
A crackerjack supporting cast helps bridge that gap: Joseph Sacari"s Cockney ne"er-do-well Alfred Doolittle; Damon Kirsche"s dashing, silky-voiced Freddy Eynsford-Hill; S. Marc Jordan"s amusingly befuddled Colonel Pickering, and Judy Jean Berns" worldly and wise Mrs. Higgins, who is almost a dead ringer for Gladys Cooper in the 1964 film version.
The chorus of scraggly street peddlers and snooty social butterflies adds to the triumph, singing, dancing, and acting with energy and moxie to spare. Choreographer Dan Mojica puts them through their gleeful paces, while music directorÐconductor Dennis Castellano superbly serves the evergreen score. The uncredited sets, Sharell Martin"s costumes, and Tom Ruzika"s lighting glisten with style. "Wouldn"t it be loverly?" croons Eliza wistfully. Loverly it is.
ACCESSIBLY LIVE OFF-LINE
McCoy Rigby Entertainment presents the Alan Jay Lener & Frederick Lowe musical classic MY FAIR LADY, performing at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in the city of La Mirada.
Based upon George Bernard Shaw"s play Pygmalion, it tells the tale of Eliza Doolittle (Gloria Crampton), a street urchin living in early 20th century London, and linguist professor Henry Higgins (Mark Capri), who attempts to transfer this gitterswipe into a proper lady, all based upon a bet made to Higgins by fellow linguist Colonel Pickerking (S. Marc Jordon). It"s not an easy bet for Higgins to accomplish, but when he does, it"s a marvelous and musical achievement!
This production is one of the better shows that McCoy Rigby Entertaiment has produced in quite a while! Of course, all of the noted tunes are included, from Wouldn"t It Be Lovely, I Could Have Danced All Night, Get Me To The Church On Time, I"ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face, and plenty more! Mack Capri, last seen by this writer in the production of Sleuth at the Falcon Theatre (see review-Vol. 10, No.15) is superb as the no nonsense Higgins. Gloria Crampton as Eliza Doolittle is also in perfect tone. Joseph Sicari as Alfred P.Doolittle, a London dust (garbage) man and Eliza"s father, provides plenty of comic relief as Eliza"s "old man". Dan Mojica creates the choreography performed by a fairly large ensemble of playersÑtoo many to list in this review, but this writer (again) loved "em all! Dennis Castellano provided the musical direction, and Glenn Casale was in charge of stage direction.
No matter how many times one may see this show on the big theatre stage, MY FAIR LADY just gets better with time! It"s no wonder why this musical had been recognized as one of American Theatre"s best known classics ever to hit the floorboards! And what better place to experience this show is at this theatre located in the charming city of La Marada. Depending on where one comes from, the location may be slightly out of the way, but the trip is definitely worth itÑand wouldn"t that be lovely??
MY FAIR LADY, presented by McCoy Rigby Entertainment, performs at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd, (off Rosecrans Avenue), La Mirada, until June 5th. Showtimes are Tuesday-Thursday nights @ 7:30 PM, Friday & Saturdays nights @ 8:00 PM, Sunday evenings @ 7:00 PM, and Saturday/Sunday matinees @ 2:30 PM. Tickets at the theater boxoffice, or by calling (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310.
The final production for McCoy Rigby Entertainment"s 2004/05 season is SMOKEY JOE"S CAFE, a musical review of the rock "n roll songs written by Jerry Leiber & Mike Stroller, running June 10th-26th. Complete details can be found on the web sites http://www.lamiradatheatre.com or http://www.mccoyrigby.com