MY FAIR LADY (2018) Previews

[BroadwayConcierge]

I know it's a bit early, but the production just announced its digital lottery policy, so figured we might as well open up the discussion forum!

Previews for the fourth Broadway revival of Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady begin in just a few days (Thursday, March 15, 2018) at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre. In its long-awaited mounting at Lincoln Center with Bart Sher at the helm, My Fair Lady (starring Lauren Ambrose as Eliza and Harry Hadden-Paton as Higgins) is set to open officially on Thursday, April 19 for an open run. 

Who's going?!

[AllThatJazz2]

I'll be at Sunday's preview in the first row (and then bolting right to the airport afterward, lol). Going to be interesting to see what the total run time ends up being. Very excited! 

[ColorTheHours048]

I’ll be at the first preview for my birthday!

[GeorgeandDot]

So f*cking excited!!!!!!

[Musical Master]

I'm seeing the 2:00 PM  show on May 30th with my older sister and a friend. To say that I've been excited for this production since it's been announced would be an understatement. 

[Fanboy99]

I got tickets through Linctix to see the matinee with my girlfriend on 5/26. Its so far away but I cant wait!!!!! Its my favorite film musical and am so excited to see it live, especially in the hands of such an acclaimed  director! She never saw the movie but I'm hoping she likes it! I'm hoping the seats will be good.Cant wait to hear the reaction to the previews! 

[jacobsnchz14]

I’ll be at the first preview, as well. Unlike others, this will be my first time seeing the show live in any capacity. I am familiar with the score and I’ve never seen the film all the way through. I waited in hopes and the chance that there would be a Broadway revival, and this is my chance to finally have that experience. AND my first time seeing a LCT musical. Looking forward to it.

[BroadwayConcierge]

ColorTheHours048 said: "I’ll be at the first preview for my birthday!"

Happy early birthday!!

[222disneyland]

bump

[Someone in a Tree2]

I was born the year the original production premiered on Broadway, and have always considered it the absolute peak of old-school musical theater writing. I've seen every Bway revival, and most have disappointed me for various reasons. So I lay down the gauntlet to Bart Sher-- please dazzle us like you have with A LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, SOUTH PACIFIC and KING AND I. Let us see this classic show in a brave new light. I'll be there the first night of Passover March 30 to see if he succeeds.

[BWAY Baby2]

Will be at the Sunday matinee April 1- fourth row seats- can't wait. Going with my sister- who is not really into theater- and sold my seats for Three Tall Women- I thought my sister would not "get" that one- and I have taken her to enough theater where she sits baffled and bored- so I am missing Women- a show I really wanted to see- love Albee. Anyway, I think MFL is a good choice- I hope she loves it- and me, too- watched every episode of Six Feet Under- loved Claire- really cannot imagine her singing I Could Have Danced All Night- and that is part of the draw for me- can she pull it off?- and I know she can or Sher would not have cast her.

[ColorTheHours048]

Thanks, BroadwayConcierge!

It’s my first time seeing the show in any capacity as well. I’ve only heard the original cast recording, and even that was only after I had purchased my tickets. I know the standards, of course, but I’m looking forward to seeing a classic musical through fresh eyes.

I had also never seen South Pacific or The King and I in any capacity before I saw both of those productions. They blew me away with how fresh they (mostly) felt; that perfect combination of a director with a clear vision and a committed crew of cast and designers. I’m looking forward to this one the most of all. It has my favorite score of the three and I’ve always been a fan of Lauren Ambrose’s. And everything Bartlett Sher touches is gold in my eyes.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Someone in a Tree2 said: "I was born the year the original production premiered on Broadway, and have always considered it the absolute peak of old-school musical theater writing. I've seen every Bway revival, and most have disappointed me for various reasons. So I lay down the gauntlet to Bart Sher-- please dazzle us like you have with A LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, SOUTH PACIFIC and KING AND I. Let us see this classic show in a brave new light. I'll be there the first night of Passover March 30 to see if he succeeds."

I'm actually extremely curious to hear about the other My Fair Lady productions. I know nothing about the previous revivals and would like to know more about how they were and why they may not have worked, especially that 90s revival that received no Tony nominations IIRC.

[carolinaguy]

Saw the '90s revival on New Year's Day 1994. It was so odd, almost as though they were deliberately avoiding calling to mind any of the original design. Melissa Errico sang very well, but my impression at the time was that she came across as a little too polished at the beginning to be a street waif. It was like she'd already been Higgins-ized. Richard Chamberlain was doing Richard Chamberlain. The design was distracting--the Ascot Gavotte was staged like a Magritte painting with the swells descending from the flies on swings wearing bowler hats. There was a giant glowing head in Higgins's laboratory that dominated the stage and pulled focus.

Seeing this one on April 27. I have my reservations about Ambrose being a fit for the role, but Sher has more than earned the benefit of the doubt.

[Emmaloucbway]

I just got tickets for the end of the month! I can't wait!! 

[nolanativeny]

Seeing it April 7 at the matinee. Can't wait! 

[henrikegerman]

April 15th matinee, trying to manage expectations to optimize enjoyment, but it isn't easy

[BroadwayConcierge]

A look inside the rehearsal room!

https://www.facebook.com/MyFairLadyBway/videos/2047510921932328/

[henrikegerman]

carolinaguy said: "Saw the '90s revival on New Year's Day 1994. It was so odd, almost as though they were deliberately avoiding calling to mind any of the original design. Melissa Errico sang very well, but my impression at the time was that she came across as a little too polished at the beginning to be a street waif. It was like she'd already been Higgins-ized. Richard Chamberlain was doing Richard Chamberlain. The design was distracting--the Ascot Gavotte was staged like a Magritte painting with the swells descending from the flies on swings wearing bowler hats. There was a giant glowing head in Higgins's laboratory that dominated the stage and pulled focus."

I recall little of that revival, except the droll but meaningless pastiche-y use of Magritte in the Ascot set, which was odd but welcome simply because it made some impression (even if it was only that of odd and meaningless); little else did in the show.  And that head.... also odd and without any emotional resonance.

 

[ColorTheHours048]

BroadwayConcierge said: "A look inside the rehearsal room!

https://www.facebook.com/MyFairLadyBway/videos/2047510921932328/"

I know that video doesn’t show much to judge off of, but I’m even more excited now than before I saw it. There’s clearly a lot of care being put into making the story relevant, while keeping the integrity of the piece intact and getting back to Shaw’s social commentary.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Someone in a Tree2 said: "I was born the year the original production premiered on Broadway, and have always considered it the absolute peak of old-school musical theater writing. I've seen every Bway revival, and most have disappointed me for various reasons. So I lay down the gauntlet to Bart Sher-- please dazzle us like you have with A LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, SOUTH PACIFIC and KING AND I. Let us see this classic show in a brave new light. I'll be there the first night of Passover March 30 to see if he succeeds."

I agree with you that the show itself is wonderful, but all the live productions I’ve seen have struggled to get it all right. There are some long stretches of book scenes that can really drag if the actors and director don’t get  the pacing right. Rex Harrison put such a stamp on Higgins that I’ve never seen or heard someone not give an imitation performance, and a pale one at that. 

I just adore Sher’s work and aesthetic though, and if there’s anyone I trust with this material it’s him. He has earned every benefit of the doubt and eagerly await to see what he has in store for us at the first preview. 

[Graymerchant]

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. 

[Leah Robertson]

Does anyone remember a touring production form 2012 or 2013? It's the only show we've seen that we were truly disappointed by. We love the movie. I can't decide if it was that nothing was going to measure up to our expectations or if the production we saw was really that bad.

[jacobsnchz14]

A few pieces of merchandise have shown up on the LCT Shop website

http://shoplct.com/current-shows/my-fair-lady/

[MCfan2]

jacobsnchz14 said: "A few pieces of merchandise have shown up on the LCT Shop website

http://shoplct.com/current-shows/my-fair-lady/"

Very nice. I really like the vase! Thanks for the tip!