37°34′56″N 77°29′53.2″W / 37.58222°N 77.498111°W / 37.58222; -77.498111
64-611: Barksdale Theatre merged with Theatre IV in 2012 to become Virginia Repertory Theatre . Barksdale Theatre in Richmond, Virginia , United States , is Central Virginia’s first nonprofit professional performing arts organization, founded in 1953 at the historic Hanover Tavern by Tom Carlin, Stewart Falconer, David 'Pete' Kilgore, Priscilla Kilgore, Muriel McAuley and Pat Sharp. Before the merger, Barksdale presented season at two home locations: Barksdale Theatre at Hanover Tavern and Barksdale Theatre at The Shops at Willow Lawn . Barksdale
128-745: A 16-week run until August 27. It starred Amara Okereke as Eliza, with Hadden-Paton reprising the role of Higgins, Stephen K. Amos as Alfred P. Doolittle, Vanessa Redgrave as Mrs. Higgins, Malcolm Sinclair as Colonel Pickering, Maureen Beattie as Mrs. Pearce and Sharif Afifi as Freddy. Redgrave left the production early after contracting COVID-19 . A UK and Ireland tour began in September 2022 starring Michael Xavier as Higgins, Charlotte Kennedy as Eliza, Adam Woodyatt as Alfred P. Doolittle, John Middleton as Colonel Pickering, Lesley Garrett as Mrs Pearce and Tom Liggins as Freddy. A German translation of My Fair Lady opened on October 1, 1961, at
192-472: A Musical ( Martine McCutcheon ) and Best Theatre Choreographer (Matthew Bourne), with Anthony Ward receiving a nomination for Set Design. In December 2001, Joanna Riding took over the role of Eliza, and in May 2002, Alex Jennings took over as Higgins, both winning Olivier Awards for Best Actor and Best Actress in a Musical respectively in 2003. In March 2003, Anthony Andrews and Laura Michelle Kelly took over
256-472: A bad experience with The Chocolate Soldier , a Viennese operetta based on his play Arms and the Man , refused permission for Pygmalion to be adapted into a musical. After Shaw died in 1950, Pascal asked lyricist Alan Jay Lerner to write the musical adaptation. Lerner agreed, and he and his partner Frederick Loewe began work. But they quickly realised that the play violated several key rules for constructing
320-658: A book by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse (June 4 – July 4, 2010) - presented at the Empire Theatre 2008–2009 Signature Season The Clean House , by Sarah Ruhl (September 26 – November 2, 2008) The Wonderful Life , by Steve Murray, conceived by Mark Setlock (November 28 – January 11, 2009) Children of a Lesser God , by Mark Medoff (February 6 – March 22, 2009) Well , by Lisa Kron (April 17 – May 24, 2009) Thoroughly Modern Millie , book by Richard Henry Morris, music by Jeanine Tesori, new lyrics by Dick Scanlan (June 19 – August 2, 2009) - presented at
384-489: A courtesy call to Ira Gershwin, alerting him to the use of the title for the Lerner and Loewe musical. Noël Coward was the first to be offered the role of Henry Higgins, but he turned it down, suggesting the producers cast Rex Harrison instead. After much deliberation, Harrison agreed to accept the part. Mary Martin was an early choice for the role of Eliza Doolittle , but declined the role. Young actress Julie Andrews
448-458: A four-play Country Playhouse Season designed to complement its five-play Signature Season at Willow Lawn. Bruce and Phil had also held the positions of Founding Artistic Director and Founding Managing Director at Theatre IV since 1975. After the leadership of Barksdale was transferred to them in 2001, Barksdale Theatre and Theatre IV shared a common staff. In 2012, Barksdale Theatre and Theatre IV merged to become Virginia Repertory Theatre. For
512-709: A half years (2,281 performances). Edwardian musical comedy star Zena Dare made her last appearance in the musical as Mrs. Higgins. Leonard Weir played Freddy. Harrison left the London cast in March 1959, followed by Andrews in August 1959 and Holloway in October 1959. The first Broadway revival opened at the St. James Theatre 20 years after the original, on March 25, 1976, and ran there until December 5, 1976; it then transferred to
576-479: A heavenly puppetmaster pulling the strings on the Henry Higgins character, while Higgins in turn attempts to control Eliza Doolittle. The musical had its pre-Broadway tryout at New Haven 's Shubert Theatre . At the first preview Rex Harrison, who was unaccustomed to singing in front of a live orchestra, "announced that under no circumstances would he go on that night...with those thirty-two interlopers in
640-538: A job as an assistant in a florist's shop. Higgins wagers Pickering that, within six months, by teaching Eliza to speak properly, he will enable her to pass for a proper lady. Eliza becomes part of Higgins's household. Though Higgins sees himself as a kindhearted man who merely cannot get along with women ("I'm an Ordinary Man"), to others he appears self-absorbed and misogynistic . Eliza endures Higgins's tyrannical speech tutoring. Frustrated, she dreams of different ways to kill him ("Just You Wait"). Higgins's servants lament
704-479: A musical: the main story was not a love story, there was no subplot or secondary love story, and there was no place for an ensemble. Many people, including Oscar Hammerstein II , who, with Richard Rodgers , had also tried his hand at adapting Pygmalion into a musical and had given up, told Lerner that converting the play to a musical was impossible, so he and Loewe abandoned the project for two years. During this time,
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#1732798809171768-547: A race and reverts to foul language, she does capture the heart of Freddy Eynsford-Hill. Freddy calls on Eliza that evening, and he declares that he will wait for her in the street outside Higgins' house (" On the Street Where You Live "). Eliza's final test requires her to pass as a lady at the Embassy Ball. After more weeks of preparation, she is ready. ("Eliza's Entrance"). All the ladies and gentlemen at
832-528: A record for the longest run of any musical on Broadway up to that time and was followed by a hit London production. Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews starred in both productions. Many revivals have followed, and the 1964 film version won the Academy Award for Best Picture . In Edwardian London, Eliza Doolittle is a flower girl with a thick Cockney accent. The noted phonetician Professor Henry Higgins encounters Eliza at Covent Garden and laments
896-524: A surprise bequest from an American millionaire, which has raised him to middle-class respectability, and now must marry his lover. Doolittle and his friends have one last spree before the wedding (" Get Me to the Church on Time "). Higgins awakens the next morning. He finds himself out of sorts without Eliza. He wonders why she left after the triumph at the ball and concludes that men (especially himself) are far superior to women ("A Hymn to Him"). Col. Pickering
960-752: A symbol of West Berlin's cultural renaissance and resistance. Lost attendance from East Berlin (now no longer possible) was partly made up by a "musical air bridge" of flights bringing in patrons from West Germany, and the production was embraced by Berliners, running for two years. In 2007 the New York Philharmonic held a full-costume concert presentation of the musical. The concert had a four-day engagement lasting from March 7–10 at Lincoln Center 's Avery Fisher Hall . It starred Kelsey Grammer as Higgins, Kelli O'Hara as Eliza, Charles Kimbrough as Pickering, and Brian Dennehy as Alfred Doolittle. Marni Nixon played Mrs. Higgins; Nixon had provided
1024-405: Is concerned about Eliza's well-being, calling the police as well as contacting an old chum he believes will help them track her down. Higgins despondently visits his mother's house, where he finds Eliza. Eliza declares she no longer needs Higgins ("Without You"). As Higgins walks home, he realizes he's grown attached to Eliza (" I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face "). At home, he sentimentally reviews
1088-491: Is insulted at receiving no credit for her success, packing up and leaving the Higgins house. As she leaves she finds Freddy, who begins to tell her how much he loves her, but she tells him that she has heard enough words; if he really loves her, he should show it ("Show Me"). Eliza and Freddy return to Covent Garden but she finds she no longer feels at home there. Her father is there as well, and he tells her that he has received
1152-452: Is recognized as Central Virginia's leading professional theatre. It continues on as Virginia Repertory Theatre's Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern under the leadership of Artistic Directors Rick Hammerly, Todd D. Norris, and Desiree Roots. On August 1, 1953, six actors, two children, a dog and two pigs moved into a historic ruin called Hanover Tavern. The transplanted New Yorkers founded Central Virginia’s first professional theatre, and named
1216-475: The 1938 film adaptation of George Bernard Shaw 's 1913 play Pygmalion , concerns Eliza Doolittle , a Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from professor Henry Higgins, a phonetician , so that she may pass as a lady. Despite his cynical nature and difficulty understanding women, Higgins grows attached to her. The musical's 1956 Broadway production was a notable critical and popular success, winning six Tony Awards , including Best Musical . It set
1280-400: The 1938 film version of Pygmalion , including the Embassy Ball sequence and the final scene of the 1938 film rather than the ending for Shaw's original play. The montage showing Eliza's lessons was also expanded, combining both Lerner's and Shaw's dialogue. The artwork on the original Broadway poster (and the sleeve of the cast recording) is by Al Hirschfeld , who drew the playwright Shaw as
1344-686: The Broadhurst Theatre and then The Broadway Theatre , where it closed on September 29, 1962, after 2,717 performances, a record at the time. Moss Hart directed and Hanya Holm was choreographer. In addition to stars Rex Harrison , Julie Andrews and Stanley Holloway , the original cast included Robert Coote , Cathleen Nesbitt , John Michael King , and Reid Shelton . Harrison was replaced by Edward Mulhare in November 1957 and Sally Ann Howes replaced Andrews in February 1958. By
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#17327988091711408-553: The Lunt-Fontanne Theatre , running from December 9, 1976, until it closed on February 20, 1977, after a total of 377 performances and 7 previews. The director was Jerry Adler , with choreography by Crandall Diehl, based on the original choreography by Hanya Holm. Ian Richardson starred as Higgins, with Christine Andreas as Eliza, George Rose as Alfred P. Doolittle and Robert Coote recreating his role as Colonel Pickering. Both Richardson and Rose were nominated for
1472-742: The Theater des Westens in Berlin, starring Karin Hübner and Paul Hubschmid (and conducted, as was the Broadway opening, by Franz Allers ). Coming at the height of Cold War tensions, just weeks after the closing of the East Berlin–West Berlin border and the erection of the Berlin Wall , this was the first staging of a Broadway musical in Berlin since World War II . As such it was seen as
1536-682: The Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, with the award going to Rose. A Cameron MacKintosh revival opened at London's Adelphi Theatre in October 1979, following a national tour. Originated at the Haymarket Theatre Leicester , the production was created under a new agreement with The Arts Council to tour West End standard productions. It featured Tony Britton as Higgins, Liz Robertson as Eliza, Dame Anna Neagle as Higgins's mother, Peter Bayliss as Doolittle, Richard Caldicot as Pickering and Peter Land as Freddy. It
1600-877: The Vivian Beaumont Theater and officially opened on April 19, 2018. It was directed by Bartlett Sher with choreography by Christopher Gattelli , scenic design by Michael Yeargan , costume design by Catherine Zuber and lighting design by Donald Holder . The cast included Lauren Ambrose as Eliza, Harry Hadden-Paton as Professor Henry Higgins, Diana Rigg as Mrs. Higgins, Norbert Leo Butz as Alfred P. Doolittle, Allan Corduner as Colonel Pickering, Jordan Donica as Freddy, and Linda Mugleston as Mrs. Pearce. Replacements included Rosemary Harris as Mrs. Higgins, Laura Benanti as Eliza, and Danny Burstein , then Alexander Gemignani , as Alfred P. Doolittle. The revival closed on July 7, 2019, after 39 previews and 509 regular performances. A North American tour of
1664-910: The Empire Theatre Legacy of Light , by Karen Zacarias (February 4 - March 13, 2011) Circle Mirror Transformation , by Annie Baker (April 15 - May 22, 2011) Dirty Rotten Scoundrels , music & lyrics by David Yazbek, book by Jeffrey Lane (June 17 - August 7, 2011) - presented at the Empire Theatre 2009–2010 Signature Season Boleros for the Disenchanted , by José Rivera (September 18 – October 25, 2009) The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee , by Rachel Sheinkin and William Finn (November 20 – January 17, 2010) The Grapes of Wrath , by Frank Galati (February 12 – March 21, 2010) Is He Dead? , by Mark Twain (April 16 – May 23, 2010) The Sound of Music , music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and
1728-399: The Empire Theatre 2006–2007 Signature Season The Constant Wife , by Somerset Maugham (September 22 – October 29, 2006) Mame , book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman (November 17 – January 28, 2007) Brooklyn Boy , by Donald Margulies (February 16 – March 25, 2007) Intimate Apparel , by Lynn Nottage (April 13 – May 20, 2007) Into
1792-512: The Empire Theatre 2007–2008 Signature Season The Member of the Wedding , by Carson McCullers (September 21 – October 28, 2007) Moonlight and Magnolias , by Ron Hutchinson (November 23 – January 20, 2008) Doubt , by John Patrick Shanley (February 15 – March 16, 2008) The Little Dog Laughed , by Douglas Carter Beane (April 11 – May 18, 2008) Guys and Dolls , by Frank Loesser (June 13 – August 17, 2008) - presented at
1856-789: The Empire Theatre 2011–2012 Hanover Tavern Season Becky's New Car , by Steven Dietz (September 23 - November 6, 2011) Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas , by Bruce Craig Miller, musical arrangements by H. Drew Perkins, WORLD PREMIERE (November 25, 2011 - January 8, 2012) Always...Patsy Cline , written and originally directed by Ted Swindley, based on a true story (January 20 - March 25, 2012) Relatively Speaking , by Alan Ayckbourn (July 13 - August 12, 2012) 2010–2011 Signature Season Shipwrecked! , by Donald Margulies (September 17 - October 24, 2010) White Christmas , music and lyrics by Irving Berlin, book by David Ives and Paul Blake (November 19 - January 9, 2011) - presented at
1920-708: The Hanover Tavern re-opened in 2006, Barksdale has also offered a series of shows presented at the Hanover Tavern, in addition to its Signature Season. These seasons include: 2011 Hanover Season A Thousand Clowns by Herb Gardner Boeing, Boing , by Marc Camoletti, translated by Beverley Cross Becky's New Car , by Steven Dietz Blue Ridge Mountain Christmas , (world premiere) by Bruce Craig Miller, musical arrangements by H. Drew Perkins 2010 Hanover Season First Baptist of Ivy Gap by Ron Osborne Butterflies Are Free , by Leonard Gershe On Golden Pond , by Ernest Thompson Smoke on
1984-695: The Mountain , by Connie Ray (February 23 – April 25, 2007) The Odd Couple , by Neil Simon (June 29 – August 12, 2007) Deathtrap , by Ira Levin (September 14 – October 21, 2007) Swingtime Canteen , by Linda Thorsen Bond, William Repicci and Charles Busch (November 16 – January 6, 2008) 2006 Hanover Season Barefoot in the Park , by Neil Simon (January 27 - March 12, 2006) No Sex Please, We're British , by Anthony Marriott and Alistair Foot (April 28 - June 18, 2006) The Mousetrap , by Agatha Christie (September 8 - October 29, 2006) Over
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2048-1148: The Mountain Homecoming , by Connie Ray, conceived by Alan Bailey, musical arrangements by Mike Craver Nunsense , book, music and lyrics Dan Goggin 2009 Hanover Season Mona’s Arrangements (world premiere), book by Bo Wilson, music by Steve Liebman, lyrics by Steve Liebman and Bo Wilson (February 27 – April 19, 2009) I Ought To Be In Pictures , by Neil Simon (May 15 – June 28, 2009) Fully Committed , by Becky Mode (July 24 – August 30, 2009) Souvenir , by Stephen Temperley (September 25 – November 1, 2009) Bus Stop , by William Inge (November 27 – January 10, 2010) 2008 Hanover Season Greater Tuna , by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard (March 28 – June 15, 2008) Shirley Valentine , by Willy Russell (July 11 – August 24, 2008) Driving Miss Daisy , by Alfred Uhry (September 19 – October 26, 2008) Sanders Family Christmas , book by Connie Ray, conceived by Alan Bailey, musical Arrangements by John Foley and Gary Fagin (November 21 – March 1, 2009) 2007 Hanover Season Smoke on
2112-683: The November Theatre) Lend Me a Tenor , by Ken Ludwig (September 9 - October 16, 2011) My Fair Lady , music by Frederick Loewe, lyrics & book by Alan Jay Lerner (November 25, 2011 - January 8, 2012) - presented at the historic Empire Theatre in celebration of its 100th Anniversary God of Carnage , by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton (February 3 - March 11, 2012) Scorched Earth , by David Robbins, WORLD PREMIERE (April 13 - May 20, 2012) Spring Awakening , book & lyrics by Steven Sater, music by Duncan Sheik (June 15 - July 22, 2012) - presented at
2176-588: The River and Through the Woods , by Joe DiPietro (November 16, 2006 - January 7, 2007) Theatre IV For information about the professional theatre company in Richmond, see Virginia Repertory Theatre . Theatre IV (now Virginia Repertory Theatre) merged with Barksdale Theatre in 2012 to become Virginia Repertory Theatre . In 1975, Theatre IV was founded by Bruce Miller and Phil Whiteway, becoming
2240-493: The Rodgers and Hammerstein model of an integrated musical ... Robert Coleman ... wrote 'The Lerner-Loewe songs are not only delightful, they advance the action as well. They are ever so much more than interpolations, or interruptions.'" The musical opened to "unanimously glowing reviews, one of which said 'Don't bother reading this review now. You'd better sit right down and send for those tickets ...' Critics praised
2304-1000: The Sydney Opera House. The show's opening run in Sydney was so successful that in November 2016, ticket pre-sales were released for a re-run in Sydney, with the extra shows scheduled between August 24 and September 10, 2017, at the Capitol Theatre . In 2017, the show toured to Brisbane from March 12 and Melbourne from May 11. The cast featured Alex Jennings as Higgins ( Charles Edwards for Brisbane and Melbourne seasons), Anna O'Byrne as Eliza, Reg Livermore as Alfred P. Doolittle, Robyn Nevin as Mrs. Higgins (later Pamela Rabe ), Mark Vincent as Freddy, Tony Llewellyn-Jones as Colonel Pickering, Deidre Rubenstein as Mrs. Pearce, and David Whitney as Karpathy. According to Geoffrey Block , "Opening night critics immediately recognized that My Fair Lady fully measured up to
2368-569: The Woods , book by James Lapine, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim (June 15 – August 12, 2007) 2005–2006 Signature Season The Drawer Boy , by Michael Healey (September 23 – November 6, 2005) Scapino! , adapted by Frank Dunlop and Jim Dale (November 25 - January 22, 2006) The Lark , by Jean Anouilh, adapted by Lillian Hellman (February 10 – April 2, 2006) The Syringa Tree , by Pamela Gein (April 21 – Mary 21, 2006) The Full Monty , book by Terrence McNally, music and lyrics by David Yazbek (June 9 – August 13, 2006) Since
2432-416: The action that took place between the acts of the play". They then excitedly began writing the show. However, Chase Manhattan Bank was in charge of Pascal's estate, and the musical rights to Pygmalion were sought both by Lerner and Loewe and by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer , whose executives called Lerner to discourage him from challenging the studio. Loewe said, "We will write the show without the rights, and when
2496-469: The ball admire her, and the Queen of Transylvania invites her to dance with the prince ("Embassy Waltz"). A Hungarian phonetician, Zoltan Karpathy, attempts to discover Eliza's origins. Higgins allows Karpathy to dance with Eliza. The ball is a success; Karpathy has declared Eliza to be a Hungarian princess. Pickering and Higgins revel in their triumph ("You Did It"), failing to pay attention to Eliza. Eliza
2560-435: The collaborators separated and Gabriel Pascal died. Lerner had been trying to musicalize Li'l Abner when he read Pascal's obituary and found himself thinking about Pygmalion again. When he and Loewe reunited, everything fell into place. All of the insurmountable obstacles that had stood in their way two years earlier disappeared when the team realised that the play needed few changes apart from (according to Lerner) "adding
2624-518: The company in memory of a deceased college friend, Barbara Barksdale. When they learned that their new neighbors looked forward to eating on evenings out, they combined favorite recipes and created the nation’s first dinner theater . They lived upstairs, performed downstairs, and served hearty meals in the historic rooms that fell in between. During the first six years, four of the original founders moved on, leaving Pete Kilgore, Muriel McAuley and newcomer (and newly-wed) Nancy Kilgore firmly in charge. In
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2688-468: The contracts refer to this as the title." Lerner preferred My Fair Lady , relating both to one of Shaw's provisional titles for Pygmalion and to the final line of every verse of the nursery rhyme " London Bridge Is Falling Down ". Recalling that the Gershwins' 1925 musical Tell Me More had been titled My Fair Lady in its out-of-town tryout, and also had a musical number under that title, Lerner made
2752-556: The endless task of restoring the Tavern. In 1990, the Tavern was sold to the Hanover Tavern Foundation. In 1993, Pete, Muriel and Nancy retired after 40 years of exemplary service. John Glenn was named Artistic Director. In 1996, to accommodate a full restoration of its beloved home, Barksdale left the Tavern for new facilities at Willow Lawn. In 1997, John Glenn left to pursue other opportunities, and Randy Strawderman
2816-403: The full list of Barksdale Theatre productions from 1953 to the most recent post-merger seasons as Virginia Repertory Theatre's Barksdale Season at Hanover Tavern, see Virginia Repertory Theatre: Past Productions The seasons leading up to the merger of Barksdale and Theatre IV included the following: 2011–2012 Signature Season Presented at Willow Lawn and the Empire Theatre (now known as
2880-702: The pit". He locked himself in his dressing room and came out little more than an hour before curtain time. The whole company had been dismissed but were recalled, and opening night was a success. My Fair Lady then played for four weeks at the Erlanger Theatre in Philadelphia , beginning on February 15, 1956. The musical premiered on Broadway March 15, 1956, at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in New York City. It transferred to
2944-673: The production, starring Shereen Ahmed and Laird Mackintosh as Eliza and Higgins, opened in December 2019. Performances were suspended in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic , and resumed in September 2021. It is scheduled to run through August 2022. The production was presented by the English National Opera at the London Coliseum with performances from May 7, 2022, and an official opening on May 18, for
3008-527: The recording he made the day Eliza first came to him for lessons, hearing his own harsh words. Eliza suddenly appears in his home. In suppressed joy at their reunion, Professor Higgins scoffs and asks, "Eliza, where the devil are my slippers?" The original cast of the Broadway stage production: Act I Act II In the mid-1930s, film producer Gabriel Pascal acquired the rights to produce film versions of several of George Bernard Shaw 's plays, Pygmalion among them. However, Shaw, having had
3072-686: The role of Alfred Doolittle in Queensland, and Richard E. Grant played the role of Henry Higgins at the Theatre Royal, Sydney. A new production was staged by Robert Carsen at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris for a limited 27-performance run, opening December 9, 2010, and closing January 2, 2011. It was presented in English. The costumes were designed by Anthony Powell and the choreography
3136-895: The roles until the show closed on August 30, 2003. A UK tour of this production began September 28, 2005. The production starred Amy Nuttall and Lisa O'Hare as Eliza, Christopher Cazenove as Henry Higgins, Russ Abbot and Gareth Hale as Doolittle, and Honor Blackman and Hannah Gordon as Mrs. Higgins. The tour ended August 12, 2006. In 2003 a production of the musical at the Hollywood Bowl starred John Lithgow as Higgins, Melissa Errico as Eliza, Roger Daltrey as Doolittle, Kevin Earley as Freddy, Lauri Johnson as Mrs. Pearce, Caroline Blakiston as Mrs. Higgins, and Paxton Whitehead as Colonel Pickering. A Broadway revival produced by Lincoln Center Theater and Nederlander Presentations Inc. began previews on March 15, 2018, at
3200-882: The seasons that followed, Pete, Muriel and Nancy produced Greater Richmond’s first professional productions of plays by Tennessee Williams , Arthur Miller , Eugene O’Neill , George Bernard Shaw , Noël Coward , Thornton Wilder , William Inge and Edward Albee . They also became dynamic civic leaders. In defiance of Jim Crow laws ., Barksdale was Virginia’s first performing arts organization to open its doors to integrated audiences. Barksdale launched Greater Richmond’s first “studio season,” converting an old country store into an experimental theatre. Barksdale conducted Virginia’s first professional theatre classes for children. In 1973, Barksdale produced Virginia’s first professional play based on African American experience, Lorraine Hansberry ’s To Be Young, Gifted and Black . In support of their theatrical mission, Pete, Muriel and Nancy continued
3264-599: The singing voice of Audrey Hepburn in the film version. A U.S. tour of Mackintosh's 2001 West End production ran from September 12, 2007, to June 22, 2008. The production starred Christopher Cazenove as Higgins, Lisa O'Hare as Eliza, Walter Charles as Pickering, Tim Jerome as Alfred Doolittle and Nixon as Mrs. Higgins, replacing Sally Ann Howes . An Australian tour produced by Opera Australia commenced in May 2008. The production starred Reg Livermore as Higgins, Taryn Fiebig as Eliza, Robert Grubb as Alfred Doolittle and Judi Connelli as Mrs Pearce. John Wood took
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#17327988091713328-534: The start of 1959, it was the biggest grossing Broadway show of all-time with a gross of $ 10 million. The Original Cast Recording , released on April 2, 1956, was the best-selling album in the United States in 1956. The West End production, in which Harrison, Andrews, Coote, and Holloway reprised their roles, opened on April 30, 1958, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane , where it ran for five and
3392-448: The state's first professional theatre for young audiences . It began as a touring company, performing around the nation at elementary schools and recreation centers and became the second largest children's theatre in the nation and the largest in-school touring theatre company in the nation. My Fair Lady My Fair Lady is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe . The story, based on
3456-579: The stressful atmosphere ("The Servants' Chorus"). Just as Higgins is about to give up on her, Eliza suddenly recites one of her diction exercises in perfect upper-class style (" The Rain in Spain "). Though Mrs Pearce, the housekeeper, insists that Eliza go to bed, she declares she is too excited to sleep (" I Could Have Danced All Night "). For her first public tryout, Higgins takes Eliza to his mother's box at Ascot Racecourse ("Ascot Gavotte"). Though Eliza shocks everyone when she forgets herself while watching
3520-462: The thoughtful use of Shaw's original play, the brilliance of the lyrics, and Loewe's well-integrated score." A sampling of praise from critics, excerpted from a book form of the musical, published in 1956. The reception from Shavians was more mixed, however. Eric Bentley , for instance, called it "a terrible treatment of Mr. Shaw's play, [undermining] the basic idea [of the play]", even though he acknowledged it as "a delightful show". My Fair Lady
3584-458: The time comes for them to decide who is to get them, we will be so far ahead of everyone else that they will be forced to give them to us." For five months Lerner and Loewe wrote, hired technical designers, and made casting decisions. The bank, in the end, granted them the musical rights. Various titles were suggested for the musical. Dominic McHugh wrote: "During the autumn of 1955, the show [was] typically referred to as My Lady Liza , and most of
3648-496: The vulgarity of her dialect ("Why Can't the English?"). Higgins also meets Colonel Pickering, another linguist, and invites him to stay as his houseguest. Eliza and her friends wonder what it would be like to live a comfortable life (" Wouldn't It Be Loverly ?"). Eliza's dustman father, Alfred P. Doolittle, stops by the next morning searching for money for a drink (" With a Little Bit of Luck "). Soon after, Eliza comes to Higgins's house, seeking elocution lessons so that she can get
3712-561: Was Patrick Garland , with choreography by Crandall Diehl, recreating the original Hanya Holm dances. A new revival directed by Howard Davies opened at the Virginia Theatre on December 9, 1993, and closed on May 1, 1994, after 165 performances and 16 previews. The cast starred Richard Chamberlain as Higgins, Melissa Errico as Eliza and Paxton Whitehead as Pickering. Julian Holloway , son of Stanley Holloway , recreated his father's role of Alfred P. Doolittle. Donald Saddler
3776-480: Was "discovered" and cast as Eliza after the show's creative team went to see her Broadway debut in The Boy Friend . Moss Hart agreed to direct after hearing only two songs. The experienced orchestrators Robert Russell Bennett and Philip J. Lang were entrusted with the arrangements , and the show quickly went into rehearsal. The musical's script used several scenes that Shaw had written especially for
3840-490: Was by Lynne Page. The cast was as follows: Sarah Gabriel / Christine Arand (Eliza Doolittle), Alex Jennings (Henry Higgins), Margaret Tyzack (Mrs. Higgins), Nicholas Le Prevost (Colonel Pickering), Donald Maxwell (Alfred Doolittle), and Jenny Galloway (Mrs. Pearce). A new production of My Fair Lady opened at Sheffield Crucible on December 13, 2012. Dominic West played Henry Higgins, and Carly Bawden played Eliza Doolittle. Sheffield Theatres' Artistic Director Daniel Evans
3904-723: Was directed by Robin Midgley , with sets by Adrian Vaux, costumes by Tim Goodchild and choreography by Gillian Lynne . Britton and Robertson were both nominated for Olivier Awards. The second Broadway revival of the original production opened at the Uris Theatre on August 18, 1981, and closed on November 29, 1981, after 119 performances and 5 previews. Rex Harrison recreated his role as Higgins, with Jack Gwillim as Pickering, Milo O'Shea as Doolittle, and Cathleen Nesbitt, at 93 years old reprising her role as Mrs. Higgins. The revival co-starred Nancy Ringham as Eliza. The director
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#17327988091713968-454: Was hired to replace him. In 2001, leadership was transferred to Bruce Miller and Phil Whiteway, Artistic Director and Managing Director, respectively. Under their leadership, the company’s reputation for artistic excellence continued to grow. Subscriptions increased by 700%, and after a ten-year separation, Barksdale returned theatrical programming to Hanover Tavern in January 2006, initiating
4032-547: Was the choreographer. Cameron Mackintosh produced a new production on March 15, 2001, at the Royal National Theatre , which transferred to the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane on July 21. Directed by Trevor Nunn , with choreography by Matthew Bourne , the musical starred Martine McCutcheon as Eliza and Jonathan Pryce as Higgins, with Dennis Waterman as Alfred P. Doolittle. This revival won three Olivier Awards : Outstanding Musical Production, Best Actress in
4096-477: Was the director. The production ran until January 26, 2013. The Gordon Frost Organisation, together with Opera Australia , presented a production at the Sydney Opera House from August 30 to November 5, 2016. It was directed by Julie Andrews and featured the set and costume designs of the original 1956 production by Smith and Beaton. The production sold more tickets than any other in the history of
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