An Analysis of My Fair Lady
Review of My Fair Lady, as put on by Big League Productions
Last month I saw a wonderful production of the musical “My Fair Lady” at Jesse Hall as a part of the University of Missouri Concert Series in Columbia. Big League Productions, Inc. is the touring theatre company who put on the show. They brought their own set, which consisted of a study in which most of the scenes took place, as well as the street entrance to the home of Prof. Higgins. There was also an elaborate backdrop used for the scenes that take place in London’s Convent Garden. Prof. Higgins’ study was by far the most elaborate set. There was a staircase element as well as a balcony that was done in a beautiful Edwardian style, all blond painted woodwork with burgundy panels and burgundy carpet and upholstery. The walls were painted with a trompe l'oeil technique to match the actual wooden elements, and they also provided the illusion of floor to ceiling bookcases. The effect was beautiful to look at.
The cast was all around fabulous. My particular favorites were Alfred Doolittle, played by an actor named Arthur Wise, and Prof. Henry Higgins, played to perfection by Chris Carsten.
Wise had the most beautiful baritone voice and his Cockney accent was flawless. His first big number, “With a Little Bit of Luck” was hilarious, and I think I enjoyed it more than “Get Me to the Church on Time” even though the latter is the song you first think of associating with his character. His two dustmen friends were perfect as well, the three of them did the funniest little jig and the harmonizing they did on the refrain was spot on.
Carsten sounded so exactly like Rex Harrison it gave me chills. I have seen the 1964 film version of My Fair Lady literally hundreds of times, I’m pretty sure I wore out the VHS version that my parents had when I was very young. I can hear Harrison reciting some of the most famous lines in my head. When Carsten said “She’s so de-LI-ciously low, so HO-rribly dirty,” the hairs on
Last month I saw a wonderful production of the musical “My Fair Lady” at Jesse Hall as a part of the University of Missouri Concert Series in Columbia. Big League Productions, Inc. is the touring theatre company who put on the show. They brought their own set, which consisted of a study in which most of the scenes took place, as well as the street entrance to the home of Prof. Higgins. There was also an elaborate backdrop used for the scenes that take place in London’s Convent Garden. Prof. Higgins’ study was by far the most elaborate set. There was a staircase element as well as a balcony that was done in a beautiful Edwardian style, all blond painted woodwork with burgundy panels and burgundy carpet and upholstery. The walls were painted with a trompe l'oeil technique to match the actual wooden elements, and they also provided the illusion of floor to ceiling bookcases. The effect was beautiful to look at.
The cast was all around fabulous. My particular favorites were Alfred Doolittle, played by an actor named Arthur Wise, and Prof. Henry Higgins, played to perfection by Chris Carsten.
Wise had the most beautiful baritone voice and his Cockney accent was flawless. His first big number, “With a Little Bit of Luck” was hilarious, and I think I enjoyed it more than “Get Me to the Church on Time” even though the latter is the song you first think of associating with his character. His two dustmen friends were perfect as well, the three of them did the funniest little jig and the harmonizing they did on the refrain was spot on.
Carsten sounded so exactly like Rex Harrison it gave me chills. I have seen the 1964 film version of My Fair Lady literally hundreds of times, I’m pretty sure I wore out the VHS version that my parents had when I was very young. I can hear Harrison reciting some of the most famous lines in my head. When Carsten said “She’s so de-LI-ciously low, so HO-rribly dirty,” the hairs on