Quintessence Announces Second Extension For MY FAIR LADY

It's been a "loverly" winter at Quintessence Theatre Group. With excellent reviews, sold out houses, and standing ovations, the classic musical and holiday treat for the entire family -- My Fair Lady, will now close December 30. The two-piano version of this show is performed at the Sedgwick Theater located at 7137 Germantown Avenue in Mt. Airy. Tickets cost $18-$40 and are available online at www.quintessencetheatre.org or at the Box Office at time of performance.

"In eight years, Quintessence has never had a hit like My Fair Lady. Bringing together our established audience dedicated to powerful classics, with a new audience devoted to musical theatre, both are leaving satiated and full of joy," said Artistic Director and the show's director Alexander Burns. "This powerfully relevant and complicated tale of transformation and triumph has proved a perfect parable for our time and the holidays season."

Extension Week Schedule
Wednesday, Dec. 27, at 7:30 pm
Thursday, Dec. 28, at 7:30 pm
Friday, Dec. 29, at 7:30pm
Saturday, Dec. 30, at 2:00pm and 7:30pm

My Fair Lady tells the story Henry Higgins, a celebrated professor of phonetics, who makes a bet that he can pass off a lower-class flower girl from Covent Garden as a duchess at the Ambassador's Ball. By dressing her in expensive clothing, improving her manners, and teaching her how to speak correctly, Higgins transforms Eliza Doolittle into a lady. Following the Greek myth of Pygmalion, Higgins becomes enamored with his creation, now the most eligible lady in London. Adapted from George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, with songs by Lerner and Loewe, My Fair Lady is known as "the perfect musical." Its theme of a woman overcoming enormous odds to gain her independence despite the machinations of a troubled genius is as applicable today as it was in 1912 when the play takes place.

Leading the cast are Quintessence regulars Leigha Kato as Eliza Doolittle and Gregory Isaac as Henry Higgins. The cast also includes: Lee Cortopassi as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, Doug Hara as Pickering, Bradley Mott as Doolittle/Karpathy/Ascot Lord, and Susan Giddings as Mrs. Pierce/Mrs. Higgins. The ensemble includes: Kristin Devine, Rakeem Lawrence, and Ebony Pullman.

Quintessence Artistic Director Alexander Burns directs this production. Christopher Ertlet is the Music Director. Doug Greene is the Set Designer. David Sexton is the Lighting Designer. Christina Bullard is the Costume Designer. Kaki Burns is the Choreographer. Marla Burkholder is the Dialect Coach. Lisa Sullivan is the Production Stage Manager.

Quintessence Theatre Group is a professional classic theater dedicated to the performance and adaptation of epic works of literature and drama for the Contemporary Stage. Its approach attracts both nationally-recognized and local actors who find challenge and inspiration in Quintessence's thought-provoking, innovative productions. It is building an acting ensemble with a rotating repertory at the historic Sedgwick Theater in the Mt. Airy neighborhood. As Quintessence Theatre Group's home, the Sedgwick, a 1928 art deco movie palace designed by William Lee, has regained its place as a jewel in Philadelphia's cultural landscape.