Cessy Newmon
Aaaooo, why can’t the English learn to speak?! With a lively opening full of Cockney dialect, this fun transaction sets the stage for a bet between Henry Higgins (Gary Lee Webber) and Colonel Pickering (Andy Moritz) that Higgins can’t take a guttersnipe like Eliza Doolittle (Sofia Smith) and turn her into a polished lady in a matter of weeks.
Among the most celebrated of classic musicals, MY FAIR LADY is based on George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion penned over 100 years ago. This musical is full of fun, frolic and fights that have you loving and hating characters to varying degrees throughout the show.
At the center of MY FAIR LADY is Miss Eliza Doolittle, and you won’t be able to get enough of Ms. Smith’s singing. At the core of this story is her transition from the Cockney (working class) dialect to RP (Received Pronunciation, aka the Queen’s English) British most commonly associated with the upper class. Ms. Smith is believable both as a boisterous guttersnipe and a respectable lady.
Much of the story takes place in the home of Henry Higgins, with whom Eliza lives while being coached on her speech. Mr. Webber portrays the role with an air of one so stuck in his mentality that he wouldn’t show feelings to save his… life. He remains distant towards Eliza, not realizing how dependent upon her he’s become. Their fights are very realistic, and Mr. Webber truly looks surprised to realize how he’s come to feel about her. My one critique is that his dialect could be more consistent.
The role of Colonel Pickering is like a pillar holding a building steadfast. Mr. Moritz is solid in the role, with Ms. Smith, Mr. Webber, and one last character, Alfred P. Doolittle (Pete Clapsis) bouncing around him. Just as boisterous as Eliza, Mr. Clapsis as her father, is a loud, rowdy drunk who takes the comedy to the next level.
Three actors round out the supporting cast. Alexander Blanco plays Freddy, who falls for newly-transformed comes across as a goofy, love-sick puppy singing “On the Street Where You Live”. Linda Valdini Booth plays the mother of Henry Higgins, and as always, is the consummate performer in the role. Patty Eyler plays the wonderfully humorous Mrs. Pearce, Henry Higgins’ housekeeper. Nine others comprise the ensemble, taking turns with cameos, and all are talented.
The set isn’t one of the more elaborate ones for the venue, but they certainly went all-out on the costumes. The choreography was simple, but a lot of fun.
MY FAIR LADY runs about 2.5 hours at the Alhambra Theatre, 12000 Beach Blvd., May 15th-June 22nd, 2025. Ticket and season ticket prices vary based on show and seating. For reservations and information, go to alhambrajax.com or call (904) 641-1212.
Cessy Newmon
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