My Fair Lady

4 out of 5 Stars

Let’s get this straight; we’re talking about a Broadway production of My Fair Lady staged at Lincoln Center, directed by Bartlett Sher, featuring the original 1956 orchestration with a full orchestra.  If the avid theatergoer finds this anything other than an extraordinary theatrical outing, perhaps you’ve picked the wrong field of entertainment.  My Fair Lady is woven into the very foundation of so many Baby Boomers who grew up in a household with an appreciation for musical theater.

Much has and will be said of the individual performances of each cast member but I don’t think any review should lose sight of the ultimate product - this IS musical theater and this is a definitively magnificent My Fair Lady.

The role of Eliza Doolittle has been put in the in capable hands of Lauren Ambrose. She is a fine singer and actor and has solid comedic timing. Forget about the My Fair Lady cast album you grew up with – there’s only one Julie Andrews in the world so move on and enjoy Ms. Ambrose’s performance.

Lauren Ambrose as Eliza Doolittle

The British actor Harry Hadden-Paton plays Henry Higgins (Downton Abbey fans will remember him as Bertie Pelham, Lady Edith’s husband) and he is masterful striding around the stage as the blustery Professor Higgins with the proper air of entitlement and superiority. Compared to the original, this is a more age-appropriate casting as a potential romantic interest for Eliza. His singing and acting are first rate.

Harry Hadden-Paton, Lauren Ambrose and Allan Corduner

The two-time Tony Award-winning actor Norbert Leo Butz redefines the role of Eliza’s father, Alfred P. Doolittle, bringing a level of warmth to the character not seen in the original.  Mr. Butz is a formidable talent. He brings down the house with a raucous and rousing performance of “Get Me to the Church on Time.”

Norbert Leo Butz and company "Get Me to the Church on Time"

Diana Rigg as Mrs. Higgins, the professor’s mother, Allan Corduner as Colonel Pickering, and Jordan Donica as Freddy Eynsford-Hill complete the cast.  Ms. Rigg brings an elegance to the stage dating all the way back to her days as Emma Peel on the Avengers.  She is imperial in bearing and warm and funny in manner.  Mr. Corduner is courtly and charming as both the professor’s accomplice and at the same time Eliza’s protector. Both of these characters participate in this production’s contribution to the #metoo movement that seems to be emanating from unexpected places in today’s theater. Well done. Freddy Eynsford-Hill as played by Mr. Donica presents himself as a character to be taken more seriously as Eliza’s suitor than in previous incarnations. The audience swoons with his “On the Street Where You Live.”

Diana Rigg

Keep your eye out for a fabulous rendition of the “Ascot Gavotte” and consider brushing up on the words ahead of time to get the most out of this highly stylish and wickedly funny showstopper.

This is everything you want from a My Fair Lady viewing on Broadway and having those wonderful Lerner and Loewe songs stuck in your head is a joy.

Why We Went: It’s My Fair Lady, that’s why!

JMG/MSG