Harry is just loverly as Professor Higgins
Towards the end of director Bartlett sher’s enchanting production of Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, Mrs Higgins ( played by diana rigg) beams and declares: ‘Bravo, Eliza!’
I certainly concurred with that view. But I wanted to add: ‘and bravo, Professor Higgins.’
Higgins is usually played by some old codger (and all due respect to them), but the British actor Harry Hadden-Paton is younger than Lauren ambrose, who plays Eliza doolittle.
You’ll know Hadden-Paton from The Crown and downton abbey. He’s terrific as Higgins, and when he sings I’ve Grown accustomed To Her Face, I totally believed him. He’s just smashing.
I’d heard how Colin Firth, ralph Fiennes, anthony andrews and others turned down the part (this was when it was going to be done on Broadway).
sher auditioned ‘everyone’, but he was wild about Harry, who brings vigour and warmth to Higgins. american Miss ambrose (six Feet Under) is glorious, too, and comes into her own during the ascot Gavotte.
There’s a moment of comic genius where she’s about to sit down at the races and her gown gets caught, and she doesn’t know what to do with her brolly. It’s delicious. and she can sing, too.
Christopher Gattelli has a fine old time choreographing I’m Getting Married In The Morning for Norbert Leo Butz and some high-kicking showgirls.
The Tony award nominations are announced in New York on May 1, and My Fair Lady and Carousel are going to be the hottest contenders in the best musical revival category.
The very best musicals I’ve seen on Broadway this season have been classics. Those shows were built to last.
someone shoot me if I have to sit through Escape To Margaritaville, featuring the best of Jimmy Buffett, again.