Photo Flash: First Look at Rubicon Theatre Company's MY FAIR LADY

The director and designers behind Rubicon Theatre Company's acclaimed environmental productions ofFiddler on the Roof and Man of La Mancha have reunited on the two-piano chamber version of the legendary Lerner and Loewe's classic My Fair Lady. Based on George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion, the musical tells the story of Professor Henry Higgins, an arrogant and attractive phonetician who makes a wager that he can transform a "deliciously low" Cockney flower-seller (Eliza Doolittle) into an elegant lady by teaching her to speak more beautifully. The magnificent score includes "I Could Have Danced All Night," "On the Street Where You Live," "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," and "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face." For Rubicon's production, Director James O'Neil returns to the source material to explore the Shavian themes of class struggle, social reform and women's rights.

"As a regional theatre company, we are approaching My Fair Lady as a play with music," says O'Neil. "Our intent is to focus on the storytelling so that we may offer to our audiences a more intimate and immediate experience of the show than might be possible in a larger space," he continues.

"Given the nature of our venue and the close proximity of the audience to the stage, theatregoers will be able see every facial expression and, we hope, feel connected to the nuances of the story in a unique and special way. We are grateful to the licensing house Tams-Witmark for granting us permission to produce this version of the musical.

Low-priced previews for My Fair Lady begin next Wednesday, October 21 at 7 p.m. Opening night is Saturday October 24 at 7 p.m., and is followed by an after-party hosted by Seasons Catering with the artists and local dignitaries. My Fair Lady continues through November 15, with performances Wednesdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. (except opening night), and Sundays at 2 p.m. Rubicon Theatre is located 1006 E. Main in Ventura's Downtown Cultural District, For tickets and information, call (805) 667-2900 or go to www.rubicontheatre.org.

Photos by Jeanne Tanner