Sunday, November 25, 2018

Lerner and Loewe's MY FAIR LADY at Lincoln Center The Fairest Musical of them All with Laura Benanti

Pull out the stopper, just get yourselves to "My Fair Lady" at Lincoln Center.  The endearing & memorial musical brings to life Shaw's "Pygmalion" with the genius of legendary musical team of lyricist Alan Lerner & composer Frederick Loewe.  Lerner and Loewe are renowned for many great musicals including "Camelot" and "Brigadoon."  They were bestowed the Kennedy Center Honor in 1984.   "My Fair Lady" first opened on Broadway in 1956 to critical acclaim and was made into an iconic film starring Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle.  This production stars Laura Benanti (Tony winner for "Gypsy" & "She Loves Me").   Ding, dong, ding Ms. Benanti can really sing and plays the perfect waif with a Cockney accent and chameleon persona.   Benanti hits all the right notes in playing Ms. Doolittle.  She transforms herself into a refined lady while maintaining her inner strength & dignity in tact.  Prof. Higgins (Harry Hadden-Paton) the seemingly heartless dialect teacher & relentless tormenter is enacted with perfect pitch and temperament.  The part of Mrs. Higgins is played by Broadway royalty Rosemary Harris.  She adds luster to this first rate ensemble cast.  Allan Corduner as the crusty Col. Corduner is a class act.  Linda Mugleston brings depth & warmth to the character of Mrs. Pearce as the head of Higgins' household.  And, Jordan Donica elevates the love smitten Freddy to new heights.  This is a marvelous production with lots of treats and lots of heat.  You can't leave the theater without humming any one of the marvelous musical numbers.  It's impossible not to be teary eyed at the magical transformations occurring on stage.  Barlett Sher's flawless direction gives the ideal balance of music & emotional heart.  Ted Sperling's music direction is perfection.  The set designs by Michael Yeargan and costume designs by Catherine Zuber were superb.  "My Fair Lady" is all you can ask for in a show anywhere.  It's oh so loverly.  Kick up a rompas cause you won't want to miss this.  You couldn't beg for more.

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