Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY 

by Olga Barsky

Where? Toronto Centre for the Arts, 5040 Yonge Street.

When? Show runs until May 31, 2008 (evening and matinee performances).

How do I get tix? Through Ticketmaster (416.872.1111) or online at www.dancaptickets.com.

Cast/Crew Fun Facts: Director of play, Trevor Nunn, has won four Tony’s for previous work, including Les Miserables.

Actor Christopher Cazenove, who portrays Henry Higgins is one of England’s most respected actors, best known to North American audiences as Ben Carrington on DYNASTY.

In a nutshell:  Adapted from George Bernard Shaws PYGMALION, this Cinderella tale unfolds when Henry Higgins, professor of Phonetics, takes uneducated flower girl Eliza Doolittle under his wing.  Determined to win a bet, Higgins sets out to transform young Eliza into a duchess.  After months of grueling studies and smart ass back-and-forth banter with the Professor, Eliza’s transformation is complete and she wows at the Embassy Ball.  Sadly, her spirits are quickly broken as soon as they return home and Higgins celebrates HIS achievement while ignoring ELiza entirely.  Unable to stomach his indifference towards her, Eliza takes off in the middle of the night…

You'll like this performance if you liked: Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, and most musicals in fact.

Indicative quote:

Professor Henry Higgins: All right, Eliza, say it again.

Eliza Doolittle: The rine in spine sties minely in the pline.

Professor Henry Higgins: (sighs) The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.

Eliza Doolittle: Didn’t ah sy that? 

Highlight: A scene featuring entire cast in musical performance on the street.  Cast was divided into three groups: those who strapped garbage can lids onto legs and did a form of trash-tap, those who banged the lids together like drums, and those who were able to successfully sing overtop the noise to create a truly memorable experience for the play goers.

Lowlight: Due to limitations of time, the blossoming relationship between Higgins and Eliza wasn’t realized to its fullest. What can you do?

What was the audience like: Children wearing their Sunday best, families with coordinated patent dress shoes, and ladies who like red wine during intermission.

Who you should bring: Mom.  Even if you’ve already splurged on a Mother’s day gift, she’ll love the show, and you for taking her.  Isn’t that all we really need in life – a mother’s love? (That’s enough of that now.)

Verdict: My Fair Lady tells the story as beautifully as it shows it though intricate sets and wow-factor costumes.  It’s a truly stunning production and a wonderful excuse to get dressed up and reacquaint yourself with Mr. Shaw for an evening of culture and fun!