“My Fair Lady” at Theatre by the Sea

By Richard Pacheco

            The current production at Theatre by the Sea of the Lerner Lowe classic “My Fair Lady” is a delightful production spurred by talented performances, some stunning sets and great music. “My Fair Lady” is a musical based on George Bernard Shaw's “Pygmalion,” with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe. The story concerns Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from professor Henry Higgins, a phoneticist, so that she may pass as a lady. The original Broadway, London and film versions all starred Rex Harrison. Theatre by the Sea stars Charles Shaughnessy of television’s “the Nanny” fame.

The result is a charming, energetic, ebullient production that never rails to please with its finesse and dazzling talent.

It all begins when Col Pickering and Higgins make a bet that Higgins cannot turn Eliza into a lady. Higgins decides to take her into his house to instruct her in the details and finesse of speaking and acting like a lady. They work ceaselessly and tirelessly to master her elocution with determination and Higgins showing off his self centered, self absorbed attitude towards her along the way.

Her first test is the racing at Ascot and the opportunity to meet Higgins’s mother. Eliza carries it off delightfully despite a faux pas at the end when she lapses into her Cockney roots. It doesn’t matter however,  as they are all charmed.

Eliza's final test requires her to pass as a lady at the Embassy Ball, A rival and former student of Higgins, a Hungarian phonetician named Zoltan Karpathy, is employed by the hostess to discover Eliza's origins through her speech. The event is revealed to have been a success, with Zoltan Karpathy having concluded that Eliza is not only Hungarian, but of royal blood. She is a princess.

Charles Shaughnessy of television’s “The Nanny” fame is Higgins. Sophisticated, an elitist he is self absorbed and rational to a fault. One false note occurs at the end when Higgins is supposed to fall in love with Eliza.  It is not totally convincing with Shaughnessy being still too much aloof and uninvolved with her to be truly convincing. Beyond that, it is a wonderful performance full of charm and finesse as well as skill. He is excellent with his singing of “Why Can’t the English” full of gusto and zest.

Kerry Conte is Eliza, a poor young flower seller in downtown London with a dense Cockney accent. Se is endearing and charming in the role. Her transition from Cockney flower girl to lady is convincing and appealing. She shines in “Just You Wait and her numbers with others like “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “The Rain in Spain” as well as “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly”.

A real stand out here is Eliza’s father, Alfred, played by Bill E. Deitrich. Alfred is a real conniver, a man out for himself but also likeable and charming. Deitrich makes this even more appealing with an energy and gusto that is perfect, full of sass and spirit.  He does well with his singing and dancing too as he displays in “Just A Little Bit” and the energetic “Get Me To the Church On Time” which he delivers with style and enthusiasm.

Tom Gleadow, well familiar to local audiences is solid as Mr. Pickering, who makes the bet with Higgins to transform the flower girl into a lady. While not his best performance, it is well done, full of confidence and skill.

Xachary Berger as Freddy, enamored of Eliza is a young man infatuated by love, distracted by Eliza’s beauty and style. He shines with his song “On The Street Where She Lives: being sincere and convincing.

Among the other supporting cast which adds so much to this production are Maria Day as Mrs. Higgins and Ellen Peterson as Mrs. Pierce, Higgins’s main servant.

There are many treats in this show with admirable signing and vivacious dancing.  The “Ascot Gavotte”  is very funny and right on the mark as the singers follow the racing horses around the  track with relentless dedication and an air of aloofness. There is more fun to be found with

Charles Repole directs with a sure hand and firm touch throughout. Musical director Milton Granger is excellent in his direction of the singers and conducting the orchestra. The sets by Michael P. Kramer work very well, beings suggestive and effective and imaginative throughout. The choreography by Michael Lightefeld is spirited and vibrant, never failing with imaginative touches throughout.

"My Fair Lady" runs through July 18 at Theatre By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Matunuck. Tickets are $45-$65. call (401) 782-8587, or visit theatrebythesea.com.