After several months and countless hours of preparation, opening night for the WRAPS Community Theater presentation of “My Fair Lady” is upon us! As the old cliche song goes …
“Overture, curtains, lights! This is it, the night of nights! And oh! what heights we’ll hit! On with the show this is it!”
And now, there is no more left to be said and done. The lines are rehearsed, the sets are up, the props are in place, and lights are ready to shine on what we all hope will be a wonderful, musical, fun-filled evening of story and laughter and dancing and song.
We leave then with this profound message to us all from the plays marvellous Director, Mavourneen Varcoe-Ryan:
“My Fair Lady is undoubtedly one of the most classic of the American musicals! Not only is it based on such a literary classic as George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion, the songs, with a rich score and clever lyrics are all time favorites. Shaw’s clever language, both eloquent and sharply witty, tells a story of struggle and conflict of both class and gender. Although at first glance one might wonder why produce such a dated, misogynistic, paternalistic piece? Well, not only due to the richness of dialogue and song is My Fair Lady an important theatrical work to continue to produce, but Shaw’s message of class distinction is still relevant today. The character of Alfred P. Doolittle spouts poetically regarding the struggle of the “undeserving poor” being unable to get anywhere in life due to their station. Eliza would not get a second glance from the upper class were she to remain in her wardrobe of poverty and language of the gutter. And, as Higgin’s says “The great secret….is having the same manner for all human souls”.
Of course it must be said that we see Eliza as a struggling flower girl on the streets on London who decides to better herself and alter her destiny as “guttersnipe”. Eliza grasps the opportunity suggested by Higgins and becomes a “tower of strength”, certainly with his assistance, but here is a theme that still resonates today; that of a strong woman making a better life for herself.
Enjoy this romp of a musical, and as you are entertained, take with you the idea of breaking the boundaries of our own class distinction and let’s treat everyone with the same respect regardless of class or gender!
I cannot express my gratitude enough for the all the amazing talent and hard work that has gone into this colossal production! From the set and props to the costumes and lights – so many have contributed so much; this is truly a community venture!
