By JADE GOODES

I had the pleasure of seeing the opening night performance of The Lincoln Center’s Production of Lerner & Lowe’s My Fair Lady at the Benedum Center on Tuesday night. The revival of this iconic musical was nominated for 10 Tony Awards and 5 Drama Desk Awards, including Best Musical Revival. This production succeeds by recognizing what was so beloved about the original and expanding upon it by providing more depth, agency, and control to its characters.

My Fair Lady is based on the play and film Pygmalion, written by George Bernard Shaw. Shaw based Pygmalion on a Greek myth in which a sculptor falls in love with a statue he carves. My Fair Lady’s story centers around a young woman, Eliza Doolittle, who enters into an agreement with Professor Henry Higgins, who claims he can turn the cockney working-class girl into a Lady. Higgins arranges a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering that he can pass Doolittle off as a Duchess in society with six months of phonetics lessons. Eliza is soon thrust into a new world as Higgins sculpts her into his perfect creation.

My Fair Lady plays at the Benedum Center and is the first show of the new year for Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh season. This golden age musical is perfect for those looking for a break from the more contemporary musicals in the lineup this year. It’s the quintessential classic musical and is perfect for this season.

The set and costumes are one aspect of touring productions that can sometimes be lacking due to budget constraints and travel concerns. Audiences typically get a scaled-down version of the original sets and costumes appearing on Broadway. While the London street scenes are relatively simple, the set piece I found impressive, where the show’s heart takes place, is Professor Higgins’s library/study. It’s a two-story set with a gorgeous spiral staircase, beautiful furniture, and appliances. Scenic Designer Michael Yeargan does a brilliant job of creating a beautiful, authentic space that is practical and functional.

I haven’t seen a production of this show in years, but I can remember the costumes from stage and screen. Costume Designer Catharine Zuber continues the tradition by creating new iconic looks for Eliza. I loved her outfit for the races and appreciated its purposeful contrast to the ensemble’s costumes. My favorite outfit of Eliza’s has to be the gown she wears to the ball. It’s a stunning piece that emphasizes the transition that Eliza has gone through.

My Fair Lady boasts a skilled ensemble that elevates the show through their incredible talent. In numbers like “Get Me to the Church on Time,” you see the full extent of the cast’s talent. Not only can they sing beautifully, but the joy, energy, and athleticism they bring to these numbers are astounding.

The actors leading the production go above and beyond to perform these roles and bring new light to these classic characters. Michael Hegarty is hilarious as Alfred P. Doolittle, and his song mentioned above was one of my favorites in the show. It’s hard not to be charmed by his performance as Mr. Doolittle, no matter how cheeky his character may be. John Adkison is delightful as Colonel Pickering and wonderfully balances the character’s humor, wit, heart, and grace. Jonathan Grunert‘s Professor Higgins brings a new perspective to the character. In most productions, Higgins is usually played as a stuffy, judgmental, stuck-in-his-ways, curmudgeon-y older man. Grunert’s performance brings a breath of fresh air to the character. I loved the spritely athletic nature he had and the Sheldon Cooper-esque personality he carried. I enjoyed that Grunert’s portrayal allowed Higgins to have a goofy, eccentric nature while staying true to the original character. Anette Barrios-Torres is a powerhouse as Eliza Doolittle. She effortlessly transitions from a cockney flower girl to a refined English woman. Songs like “Show Me” and “Without You” showcase the strength and power in her voice, whereas “I Could Have Danced All Night” highlights the beauty and tenderness her voice possesses. Her performance made Eliza feel strong, confident, and sure-footed, which helped the new approach to the ending.

One of the main criticisms of the show, which even George Bernard Shaw complained about in the film adaptation of Pygmalion, is the ending. Eliza Doolittle goes through a complete transformation inside and out during the show and has to deal with classism and misogyny in the process. So, her not getting a proper ending is a failure to her character and her story. I don’t want to ruin anything for those who have not seen My Fair Lady, but the revival attempts to give Eliza more agency, and I appreciate that she had more power to use her voice and her mind here.

Revivals can be a hit or miss. It’s challenging to bring a show back whose original production is considered legendary in the musical theater world. In this case, I think the revival of My Fair Lady is a hit. It celebrates why the musical works to begin with while also acknowledging the issues surrounding it. It’s a beautiful tribute to a classic musical, and it will make you remember why it’s considered a classic in the first place. This production reignited my love for this show, and I hope it does the same for you.

TICKETS AND DETAILS:

My Fair Lady plays at the Benedum Center through February 4, 2024. Tickets can be purchased at: https://trustarts.org/production/86817/my-fair-lady

Categories: Arts and Ideas, Reviews

Tags: Anette Barrios-Torres, Benedum Center, Cathrine Zuber, George Bernard Shaw, John Adkinson, Jonathan Grunert, Lerner & Lowe's My Fair Lady, Michael Hegarty, Michael Yeargan, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh