Review: JPAS Presents MY FAIR LADY as New Theater's Inaugural Production

After a long process, Jefferson Performing Arts Society has finally opened their brand new theater that cost upwards of $5 million to build on Jefferson Highway near Zephyr Field! Their first production in the new facility was MY FAIR LADY, which has always been a favorite of mine. I remember seeing a production of MY FAIR LADY at Rivertown Theaters for the Performing Arts when I was a little girl. A friend of mine chose to bring a group of friends for her birthday party, and before we went to the show, we gathered at her house to dress up our teddy bears (My "Bear" Lady) to take them with us. Adorable. I know. That friend made an Eliza Doolittle fan out of me!

I was quite excited when I learned that JPAS would be putting on this production, and I was even more excited when I learned that Micah Desonier would be playing Eliza. I had heard so much buzz around about this leading lady, and I couldn't wait to see what she would bring to the character. Let me tell you... she didn't disappoint. In fact, I think it's fair to say she far exceeded my expectations. A fair lady she is indeed! I had previously seen Ms. Desonier in Rivertown's production of THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES, so I was aware that she was a dancer, but I had no idea she could sing as beautifully as she did. What a talent! A true triple threat!

Desonier's leading man, Kris Shaw, proved to be equally talented in his portrayal of Henry Higgins. Henry Higgins is a character that I have always found incredibly funny. Of course, he is crass and rude and incredibly cocky; but, he's such a ridiculous person at times that it's just comical. Being the grammar nerd that I am, I absolutely love Henry's song "Why Can't the English?" While incredibly pompous, he kind of has a point! And who can forget how he shoves marbles in Eliza's mouth to help with her diction? Henry is a mad genius, and Shaw nailed this performance!

Some of my other favorite moments in this production were the always classic "The Rain in Spain," I Could Have Danced All Night," and "On the Street Where You Live." I must also point out that aside from the performances, the set and costumes in this production created by Kristin Blatchford and Robert Fletcher respectively were incredible. It looked like a watercolor painting!

Congrats to the entire cast and crew of JPAS's first major production in their beautiful new facility. I can't wait to be back for more!

Tickets and more information about upcoming performences at JPAS can be found at http://www.jpas.org.

ARTICLE MAY ALSO BE VIEWED HERE: http://www.nolabackstage.com/single-post/2015/11/17/BWW-Review-JPAS-Presents-MY-FAIR-LADY-as-New-Theaters-Inaugural-Production

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