MY FAIR LADY (2018) Previews

[Musical Master]

The rehearsal footage was nice to watch and I really like the show merchandise. So excited to read the first preview reviews in 2 days. 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Thank you carolinaguy and everyone else who provided your recollection of past productions you've seen. I loved reading them.

As for the rehearsal footage, everything looks fresh and even a bit raw. Ambrose seems to bring a real vibrancy and energy to the role that I'm loving. I'm so used to the film version that I was sort of taken aback by such a young looking Mrs. Pearce but I also like that as well. This revival I believe will be respectful to the original text and production while looking at everything with a fresh set of eyes so it won't be a garden variety production of My Fair Lady. When one does that, there is a fear that the production will be misconceived but that does not seem to be the case here as it's not a radical production but it has that vibe that seems like they're doing totally new material while actually being respectful and keeping close to the source material.

[Tito3]

Is this show potentially extending its run? I’m only visiting NYC later this year, by thanksgiving, with little hope to catch this one.

[JIMG3]

It’s currently running through September 2nd. Based on ticket sales, I’d feel comfortable stating that it will be extended well past that date.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Looks like I'll need to splurge on this one! From the footage, it is clear that this production has a coherent, relevant concept that does not just prey on the nostalgia of the classical My Fair Lady. Such a breath of fresh air after the lackaluster production of Carousel.

[Tito3]

JIMG3 said: "It’s currently running through September 2nd. Based on ticket sales, I’d feel comfortable stating that it will be extended well past that date."

Thanks for the reply. It would be amazing to put this on my list. A couple of years ago, here in Brazil, we had a lovely production of My Fair Lady with Paulo Szot as Mr. Higgins. I fell in love with the musical, despite not liking Eliza and Higgins pairing up at the end. Is it just me or Higgins does sound a lot misogynistic? Anyway... Here's a short clip from the 2016 brazilian production with Daniele Nastri as Eliza:

 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Tito3 said: "JIMG3 said: "It’s currently running through September 2nd. Based on ticket sales, I’d feel comfortable stating that it will be extended well past that date."

Thanks for the reply. It would be amazing to put this on my list. A couple of years ago, here in Brazil, we had a lovely production of My Fair Lady with Paulo Szot as Mr. Higgins. I fell in love with the musical, despite not liking Eliza and Higgins pairing up at the end. Is it just me or Higgins does sounda lot misogynistic? Anyway... Here's a short clip from the 2016 brazilian production with Daniele Nastri as Eliza:

Higgins is very misogynistic, but I always took My Fair Lady as the story of how Eliza teaches Higgins a lesson in the end. Whether he truly learns from it is pretty ambiguous, but the point is there. Anyways, I hope to see this production in the Summer, it looks and sounds fantastic!

"

 

[SomethingPeculiar]

Graymerchant said: "Do we know if there will be student discount offered? I know that lottery is an option- the uncertainty makes me nervous. Dying to see this production."

LincTix is LCT's program for people under 30 (or is it 35?) but those seats might be sold by now

[RippedMan]

I got one for late May like a few days ago. Re: LincTix

[GeorgeandDot]

I think Lincoln Center has a general rush too. Or is it just for students?

[henrikegerman]

ScottyDoesn'tKnow2 said: "As for the rehearsal footage,....This revival I believe will be respectful to the original text and production while looking at everything with a fresh set of eyes so it won't be a garden variety production of My Fair Lady. When one does that, there is a fear that the production will be misconceived but that does not seem to be the case here as it's not a radical production but it has that vibe that seems like they're doing totally new material while actually being respectful and keeping close to the source material."

I'm intuiting the same from the rehearsal video.  Of course it may just be expert branding, but there's an energy and focus that comes through in the footage, as well as a persuasive sense (for once - as similar messaging often seems "canned" in these promos... even when the spokespersons are great performers) that everyone involved is genuinely thrilled to be in this production and truly enthused about the work they are seeing from their colleagues, that makes me think this production is on to something. 

The footage makes me believe there's a keen and diamond-sharp interpretation that's going to uncover something at once completely true to the text and eye-openingly, perhaps even astoundingly, resoundingly pertinent to this precise moment in time  

The video also makes me trust that -  as is typically not the case in productions of MY FAIR LADY - there will be a sublime balance between the book and the musical performances (of both the songschpiel and SUNG! varieties); that we will see both given, at the very least, their due.

[Musical Master]

Bartlett Sher has this amazing talent in choosing which musical to revive which speaks to us now in what situation of the world is happening currently, and giving the piece a set of fresh eyes without ever changing a single part of the original book. It happened with South Pacific, it happened again with The King and I, it happened for a third time with Fiddler on the Roof; while also giving it a solid, poignant, framing device, and now we can expect it for My Fair Lady. And to speak of his marvelous creative team: Christopher Gatelli, Michael Yeargan, Catherine Zuber, Donald Holder, and Ted Sperling would be doing the same honors we constantly give to Sher.

[GeorgeandDot]

Is there an invited dress tonight?

[Peter2]

Last weekend I happened to walk by the Beaumont and they had the backstage thrown open to the street as they worked on the sets. I snapped a picture (flowers in the foreground, "the street where she lives," apparently, in the background), but couldn't figure out how to share it here, so I made it my avatar(!). Or try this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y19dOA3r7_zIac1tVUF8ZEfxvsUcedmf/view?usp=sharing
 

[jtishere]

Of all the shows I’m binging on my upcoming trip, this is the one I am most excited for.

[Shubert Alley Cat]

While I've already purchased Band's Visit, Hamilton, Frozen, Harry Potter and Carousel for my trip in August, I'm waiting to buy on this one til the end of this week.  I hope someone who attends the first preview will provide some seating advice - would it be best to sit house right or left?

I also cannot wait for this show!

[Musical Master]

Peter2 said: "Last weekend I happened to walk by the Beaumont and they had the backstage thrown open to the street as they worked on the sets. I snapped a picture (flowers in the foreground, "the street where she lives," apparently, in the background), but couldn't figure out how to share it here, so I made it my avatar(!). Or try this link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y19dOA3r7_zIac1tVUF8ZEfxvsUcedmf/view?usp=sharing
"

From what little I can see, I like that it has details in it with the gates and lamp-lights which makes me curious as to how detailed will Michael Yeargan's overall sets be. Because he can be detailed (Light in the Piazza and South Pacific) or he can be simple but clever in it's tiny details there is (The King and I and Fiddler on the Roof). At least we'll get an answer tomorrow night when previews officially begin.

[BroadwayConcierge]

Another Facebook post...



Soooo excited!!

[Bwayfan292]

Does not look like there is an invited dress.

[bk]

Dear me, from watching some video in which there is not a single word or note of music from the rehearsal room everyone divines that this is going to be brilliant and looks focused and fantastic.  I never understand these rehearsal videos - I think they do more harm than good - but when I hear actors pontificating "I want to peel away the layers and see what Shaw was up to" I just want to run for the hills.  Brilliant would be swell, but how anyone can tell this from this video I have no idea :)

[JIMG3]

Well then, by all means, head for the hills and keep running. That’s one more seat, for someone who really wants to be there.

[Call_me_jorge]

Bwayfan292 said: "Does not look like there is an invited dress."

It didn’t seem Carousel had one either.

[orlikethecolorpurple]

Lol. How dare those actors have motivation! I much prefer actors who just sing pretty and give us a base understanding of their characters.


The video made me so unbelievably happy that I splurged on a ticket,

[Dancingthrulife2]

bk said: "Dear me, from watching some video in which there is not a single word or note of music from the rehearsal room everyone divines that this is going to be brilliant and looks focused and fantastic. I never understand these rehearsal videos - I think they do more harm than good - but when I hear actors pontificating "I want to peel away the layers and see what Shaw was up to" I just want to run for the hills. Brilliant would be swell, but how anyone can tell this from this video I have no idea :)"

Because you can tell from their acting choices that this is not a production of some beautiful songs intercut with some annoying book scenes. A lot of revivals of classic musicals feel this way, and it is really rare to have productions with the mindset to tell a story in a gratifying, relevant way rather than to give a fabulous concert while subjecting the audience to some brief but boring mandatory readings.  

[Loopin’theloop]

BK would’ve mixed the sound in the rehearsal video, with more more space and air.