By Richard Pacheco
“Ocean
State Theatre's "My Fair Lady" is a winning and wonderful production
propelled by some strong voices, snappy and sassy dance numbers and a wonderful
set. True the musical runs about three hours but the terrific performances make
it worthwhile.
The classic Lerner and Lowe show is
set in London in 1912 with the
timeless tale of Professor Henry Higgins, an irritable, cranky confirmed
bachelor who takes on the task of converting street flower vendor Eliza
Dolittle into a lady devoid of her Cockney manners and accent. The musical is
inspired by the George Bernard Show play, “Pygmalion” from 1914. The book and
lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe it takes a classic rags
to riches tale merrily along with some great songs brought to life by some
stunning performances that are sure to delight.
Jessica Wagner as Eliza Doolittle,
the Cockney flower girl who blossoms into a lady is pure delight. She shows a
mastery of the Cockney accent which she incorporates with skill and finesse,
flawlessly. Her transition into proper English is exquisite and perfection
itself as is her transition from street wise vendor into elegant lady with
grace and style. She is not only a fine actress but she has an impressive voice
as well which she uses with daring and flair. She sings with great presence and
bravura in songs like “Wouldn’t It be Loverly” and “Rain in Spain”
as well as the ever classic “I Could Have Danced All Night.”
Her foil, the irascible Henry
Higgins, is played with flair and perfect fussiness by Richard Costa. Even more
impressive is the fact that he stepped in at the last moment for a member of
the cast who dropped out. It makes his
performance even more telling and impressive. Costa is full of a certain
assurance and almost pompous self confidence ast Higgins. He knows the answers
and that is that. He shines with great skill and power in songs like “Why Can’t
the English” and “I’m an Ordinary Man.”
Todd Berkich plays Col Pickering,
Higgins cohort a man who is Higgins best friend and older than he actually is.
He is convincing and shows a real flair as well as a wonderful tenor voice
which he displays with great effect in the trio. “Rain in Spain,”
and in “You Did It” at the success of Eliza and Higgins at the ball.
There are so many riches here in
the performances like with Eliza’s ne’er do well father, Alfie played with
skill and vitality by Peter Tedeschi. He also shows a strong singing voice in
songs like "Little Bit of Luck" and "Get Me to the Church."
His two drunken cohorts in bad
behavior, Daniel Larsen and Jonathan Olivera, are sheer fun.
Roger Reed as Freddy a spoiled
young man with a serious crush on Eliza
which he displays in “On the Street Where You Live” in a musical fashion that
is impressive.
This large cast is full of talented
performers in all the roles and all deliver their best consistently and with
great energy and finesse. The riches here are abundant and continual.
Director Aimee Turner evokes
stunning performances from her talented cast. Her choreography is impressive
and often sheer unabashed fun. She knows how to direct s musical with skill and
flair and she displays it with this with confident strokes all the way through. Her dances shine as in “Wouldn’t It be
Loverly” and “With a Little Bit of Luck” or the chic and simple elegance of
“Ascot Gavotte.”
Musical director Esther Gabinski
who also directs the orchestra is superb as well with a flair for finesse and
passion that is impressive.
Valerie Remillard-Myette as Mrs.
Pearce shines as well with her roles as the sevant. Melanie Souza is a gem as
Henry’s sarcastic mother.
The costumes by Brian Horton are
simply stunning in every scene without a doubt. In the scene at Ascot
racetrack his use of black and white in the costumes is spectacular and
engaging, leaving a distinct visual impression that lingers in the mind’s eye,
shimmers like an impressionist painting.
Clifton Chadick’s sets are eye
catching and impressive. His study for Henry Higgins is a wonder, full of deft
touches that are revealing and impressive such as the various talking machines
scattered about, the globe and the animal skull over the door.
This production captures the
elegance, flair and style with a freshness that is appealing and entrancing,
keeping everything new and full of vitality.
"My Fair Lady" (24 September - 19 October)
@ 1245
Jefferson Boulevard, WARWICK
RI
1(401)921-7100
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