Review by Ernest Goes To The Theatre/Ernest Edwards
I went to the Wednesday preview of Theater Latte Da’s production of My Fair Lady at The Ritz Theater. The musical My Fair Lady is based on the play Pygmalion. Lerner & Loewe created this wonderful musical with memorable songs. The original stage production featured Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle and Rex Harrison as Henry Higgins.
What was refreshing to me was that Jon Michael Reese as Henry Higgins was singing his songs. So many times in past stage productions, and in the movie, you have Henry Higgins talking his way through his songs.
I know I went to a preview performance. I have to say, the show is wonderful and didn’t need any changes.
The story is about, Eliza Doolittle, a young woman who sells flowers at Covent Garden in London. One night after the opera Henry Higgins is there documenting accents. He runs into Colonel Pickering. The two of them are experts in accents. They joke about being able to make Eliza into a proper lady of society who can work in a real floral shop. Eliza takes up the offer and shows up at Henry Higgins house the next day. I am always amazed at how an actress can go from Eliza’s accent at the beginning of the show and how it changes as the story progresses. Anna Hashizume has a wonderful singing voice. She brings a lot to the role of Eliza Doolittle. The core cast is rounded out by Tod Peterson as Colonel Pickering, Felix Aguilar Tomlinson as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, Carissa Bussian as Mrs. Pearce, and Norah Long as Mrs. Higgins.
Felix has a great operatic voice that really adds to his song On The Street Where You Live.
A fun moment is when Eliza has started to master the art of properly speaking the language like a lady of society. Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering take her to the race tracks to Henry’s mother’s private box. When the race get’s going, Eliza’s prim and proper is replaced by her normal voice cheering on Freddy’s horse. The other guests are amused by Eliza’s passion for the race. Months later they take her a high society event. Eliza is well received. It’s how she’s treated at Henry Higgins house afterwards that leaves a sour taste. Colonel Pickering and Henry Higgins couldn’t stop congratulating themselves on her success, but only spoke with each as if it was only their success, stroked their egos, and not once acknowledged that Eliza was in the room. Eliza confronts Henry Higgins about what is to happen to her know? She’s too good to back to the life she had before. Now what is to become of her? He was only thinking of his himself. She leaves in the middle of the night. Henry finds her at his mother’s. Mrs. Higgins is appalled but her son and Colonel Pickering’s behavior after the event.
What I thought was really fun with this production was the scenery. In the center of the stage you have two pianists. They are part of the story. Watch for their moments, and relish in it. The scenery spins around from the street scenes to the interior of Henry Higgins house. (See my photos from before the play open, and intermission to see what I am speaking about.) Theater Latte Da always finds a fun, creative and stylish way to use the stage at the Ritz Theater. The scenic design by Eli Sherlock really adds to this production of My Fair Lady.
Director Justin Lucero has a gem with this production.
I know I went to a preview performance, maybe this moment will change by opening night. At the end of the musical, Eliza Doolittle returns to Henry Higgins house. With the staging and the lighting. I found myself wondering. Did she really return? Or was he imaging that she had returned?
This musical runs through December 28, 2025. Check out latteda.org for tickets. You will not want to miss this classic Lerner and Loewe musical.
