‘My Fair Lady’ brings Broadway-caliber show to RI
PROVIDENCE – What will people talk about after seeing “My Fair Lady” at the Providence Performing Arts Center?
The finely tuned acting? The wonderful performances of the beautiful score? The stunning costumes, the amazing set, or the fact that we have Broadway-caliber shows right here in Providence?
This is the touring version of Lincoln Center Theater’s multi-award-winning production, directed by the acclaimed Bartlett Sher, and the actors are excellent across the board, including Colin Anderson, the understudy who stepped in opening night as Professor Henry Higgins. He portrayed the professor’s imperious attitude – and his ultimate emotional awakening -- perfectly.
Shereen Ahmed is a “loverly” Eliza Doolittle, the Cockney flower seller recruited by Higgins, a professor of phonetics, on a bet that he can pass her off as a refined lady by changing the way she speaks. Ahmed embraces Eliza’s spunk as well as her vulnerability, and she
sings in an effortless soprano.
Special notice goes to Leslie Alexander as Mrs. Higgins, the professor’s mother who likes Eliza and is sardonically well aware of her son’s faults, and to East Providence native Kevin Pariseau as Colonel Hugh Pickering, Higgins’ cohort in Eliza’s transformation. Both bring warmth and humor to
their portrayals.
The set is a show in itself. The show opens on a bare stage before props and backdrops move in almost magically. Adding to the magic is a revolving piece that represents Professor Higgins’ stately home; it turns as actors move through doors, from room to room. Each space is evocatively
detailed, from paladin windows and a spiral staircase to Higgins’ cluttered desk.
No detail is spared on the costumes either. Typically, the outfits for opening day at the Ascot Races are eye-popping, and Catherine Zuber’s creations for this show are no exception. But in Act II, the red satin coat Eliza wears to the Embassy
Dance is to die for.
Finally, and most importantly, the score: undeniably beautiful, and well performed, vocally and instrumentally. Every number is a gem, but you won’t hear a more joyous “The Rain in Spain,” performed by Higgins, Pickering and Eliza when she finally gets the pronunciation correct, than in this production.
Other personal favorites: the boisterous “Get Me to the Church on Time,” the romantic “I Could Have Danced All Night,” and a well played and timed “I’m an Ordinary Man,” in which Higgins contrasts his life “free of strife” with the pitfalls of letting a woman into the picture. Ohonoer oalrleo:ur The four-part harmony that accompanies Eliza’s “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?”
Compliments to the orchestra and music director/ conductor John Bell.
Whether this is the first time you’ve seen the live musical, or whether you come with fond memories of previous productions, this “My Fair Lady” won’t disappoint. It’s top notch.
Performances of “My Fair Lady” continue only through Sunday at the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St. Tickets are $89-$20 at the box office in the theater, online at ppacri. org and by phone at (401) 421-ARTS (2787).