Feature: MY FAIR LADY Performed By the Charleston Light Opera Guild at the CHARLESTON CIVIC CENTER LITTLE THEATRE

"My Fair Lady, of course, is one of the classic shows from the Golden Age of American Musical Theatre," said John Marshall, Musical Director of Charleston Light Opera Guild's highly anticipated upcoming production, when asked his thoughts on the iconic score written by Frederick Loewe. "The score is beautifully orchestrated and lushly melodic and yet, mostly uncomplicated, as say in comparison to a Sondheim score. In my opinion, there is not one bad song in this remarkable work."

Many others share Marshall's opinion, easily shown by the show's enduring popularity after nearly 60 years. Based on George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion, My Fair Lady had been a Broadway standard for years, originally appearing on stage in 1956 boasting stars Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison. The show met with acclaim and won six Tony Awards - including Best Musical - before going on to set the record for the longest run of any Broadway show. While that record has since been eclipsed, that has done nothing to affect the show's popularity as it continues to maintain its status as one of the best musicals ever created, spawning a beloved movie version starring the impeccable Audrey Hepburn and producing multiple Broadway revivals - the most recent of which opened just last month!

My Fair Lady features a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner with music by Frederick Loewe and tells the story of a Cockney flower girl struggling to overcome her ghastly accent in hopes of finding a better life. This iconic show will be brought to the Charleston Civic Center's Little Theatre by the talented cast and crew of the Charleston Light Opera Guild (CLOG) in late April and early May. More than 25 years have passed since CLOG's last production of My Fair Lady, but that hasn't kept some of the stars from reprising their roles!

The story centers on Eliza Doolittle (Lauren Meyer), a Cockney flower girl, and her chance meeting with England's leading professor of phonetics, Henry Higgins (Chris Terpening). Upon meeting Eliza, Higgins lambasts her awful Cockney speech and assures Eliza that if given six months he could teach her to speak properly. Higgins then encounters a fellow linguist who specializes in Indian dialects, Colonel Pickering (Rick Fleenor), and the two exchange information in hopes of working together. Eliza, wanting a job as an assistant at a florist's shop, pays Higgins a visit to see if he could live up to his promise and correct her speech. Pickering offers to pay for Eliza's lessons and wagers against Higgins being able to succeed. What follows is a funny and endearing tale that has charmed audiences for over 60 years.

I was able to speak with Marshall as he makes his final preparations for opening night, which is quickly approaching, this Saturday, April 28th. Marshall conducted the show for CLOG 25 years ago and was gracious enough to come back for this production.

Marshall spoke about the show's iconic and easily recognizable score and how it felt to be a part of this production, which has given him the opportunity to recreate songs so many people hold dear. "Having conducted this show over 25 years ago, the familiarity of this lovely score came back in a flash!" Marshall said, adding that the score ranks high on his list of favorites, "I would rank it right up there with...Gypsy, Carousel, 42nd Street, and Follies. Reprising it has been fun!"

I asked Marshall why he believes that the show has endured for so many years, to which he replied, "The stand out songs, of course, and also the great book based on Shaw's work." But despite being a classic, the show still needs a great cast and crew to present the show to new audiences. Marshall took time to praise this ensemble, stating that, "This is an excellent cast with very fine vocal ability. I am particularly pleased with the work of our leading lady Lauren Meyer, but in truth, there is not a weak link anywhere in the principals or ensemble." He adds, "I believe Charleston audiences will love this show."

Not one to leave out giving credit where it is due, Marshall took time to speak about the orchestra's talent as well. "I would just like to say that this is one of the finest orchestras I have had the honor to conduct. True pros all the way! When the audience hears the strains of the Overture, they will know a treat is coming!"

I also spoke with Lauren Meyer, who portrays Eliza Doolittle, about her excitement for this production. "It really has been a dream to get this opportunity. Not only is Eliza an exciting, challenging, and yes - a personal top of the bucket list role - but getting the chance to do so with a cast, crew, orchestra and technical crew of this caliber is just a dream come true!"

Meyer also took time to praise the musicians involved, stating that, "the show has an incredible score, expertly handled by our musical director, John Marshall, and this superbly talented and large group of musicians!"

Meyer is no stranger to the iconic status of this show, but feels that CLOG's adaptation will please fans of both the musical and movie. "The musical set the standard very high for future (Broadway) shows, and (the film) is one of the most beloved movies ever. The dynamic

characters are so well written and so fun for this talented cast of actors to portray. Between the well written and funny plot and energetic ensemble with big song and dance numbers everyone is sure to find something they love and to leave humming a fun tune!"

You can catch My Fair Lady on April 28th, May 4th, May 5th, May 11th and May 12th, 2018 at 7:30 PM and on April 29th and May 6th, 2018 at 2:00 PM.

Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased online through the Charleston Light Opera Guild's website. The Charleston Civic Center Little Theatre is located at 200 Civic Center Drive, Charleston, WV 25301. Click here to view the Civic Center Little Theatre's website. Click here for the Civic Center event page and click here for the Facebook event page. You can contact the Charleston Light Opera Guild with any question by calling (304) 342-9312 (the Guild Theatre), (304) 343-2287 (Answering Service and Main Stage Box Office) or via e-mail at contact@charlestonlightoperaguild.org

Cast and Crew:

Lauren Meyer - Eliza Doolittle
Chris Terpening - Henry Higgins
Rick Fleenor - Colonel Pickering
Tim Whitener - Alfred P. Doolittle
Andrew Edwards - Freddy Eynsford-Hill
Julie Miller - Mrs. Pearce
Nina Surbaugh - Mrs. Higgins
Bob McCarty - Jamie, Zoltan Karpathy, Busker
Horace Emery - Harry, Dancer, Ensemble
Kennie Bass - Quartet, Bystander, Ensemble
Ted Brightwell - Quartet, Dancer, Ensemble
Mark Felton - Quartet, Servant Sextet, Footman, Ensemble

John Valleau - Quartet, Bystander, Ensemble
Jerry Marsili - Servant Sextet, Butler, Some Dance, Ensemble
Meredith Aliff - Servant Sextet, Ensemble
Megan Sydnor-Collins - Servant Sextet, Dancer, Ensemble

Sarah Erps - Servant Sextet, Queen, Ensemble
Emily Wasserman - Sextet, Mrs. Eynsford-Hill, Ensemble
Adrienne Clark - Busker, Dancer
Lindsey Duvall - Dancer, Mrs. Higgin's Maid, Ensemble
Ric Bertolotti - Policeman, Selsey Man, Angry Man, Ensemble
Marc D. Golden - Lord Boxington, Ensemble
Terry Terpening - Mrs. Hopkins, Ensemble
Clint Thomas - Bartender, Hoxton Man, Ensemble
Gabriel Gorby - Charles, Ensemble, Some Dance
Cedric Haynes - Ensemble, Some Dance
Abagail Ayes - Ensemble
Reba Burgess - Angry Woman, Ensemble
Claire Butler - Ensemble
Phoebe McClanahan - Ensemble
Vanessa White - Ensemble

Directed and Choreographed by Nina Denton Pasinetti, with John Marshall as the Musical Director, John Patrick as the Accompanist, and Tom Pasinetti as the Technical Director.

Richard Allen is a contributing editor for Broadway World covering theatre throughout WV and the tri-state area. He also writes freelance for various other publications. You can check out his page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/richardallenwrites and you can contact him via e-mail at richardallenwrites@gmail.com.

 

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