Arrow Rock Lyceum review: 'My Fair Lady' crew improves upon a classic

Lindsie Van Winkle, left, as Eliza Doolittle and Michael McKenzie as Prof. Henry Higgins bring new life to a classic musical in the Lyceum Theatre production of "My Fair Lady."
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)

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In shows that not only have been popular for generations on the stage but have achieved the same status as "classic" in film, there's often an irresistible pull on actors to "channel" the iconic portrayals of the characters.

In this case, theater-goers may have expected to see imitations of Rex Harrison as the iconic Henry Higgins and Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle.

They would have been disappointed -- and delighted -- if they saw the show at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre Saturday evening, because Michael McKenzie as Higgins and Lindsie Van Winkle as Doolittle failed to mimick the Hollywood portrayals.

They improved upon them.

Both were more animated than their big screen counterparts, bringing an energy to the stage that made both characters more appealing.

McKenzie's achievement was especially noteworthy. He delivered the same lines, but by expression and gesture managed to make the irascible professor with the scathing wit seem more human, more vulnerable, more likeable than Harrison's version.

It's easier to believe that he develops sincere affection for his pupil, the former "squashed cabbage" of a flower girl.

And that's important, because as Rothhaar notes in the program, George Bernard Shaw's play, "Pygmalion," upon which the musical is based, was intended to be a commentary about social class. But the musical brings romance into the foreground.

The role language and pronunciation play in social politics is still a key part of the show, but the romance that develops on the Lyceum stage is more plausible than the one in the movie.

The lyrics of "Hymn to Him (Why Can't a Woman be More Like a Man)" are literally judgmental, with Higgins noting all the ways women fail to measure up to the standard set by men, but McKenzie manages to weave, with humorous effect, a sense that behind this stern judgment he is genuinely befuddled by his strangely beguiling new pupil.

A small moment at the very end of the play exemplifies the difference, too. Harrison, in the film, pulls his hat down over his eyes as he delivers the last line, "Where the devil are my slippers?" But in the play, Eliza's hat and Henry's are placed in a way that demonstrates the connection they've forged.

And their eyes meet -- a small change that makes a great deal of difference in the effect of the whole performance, giving it a more satisfying romantic feel.

There are other bright spots in the Lyceum production, particularly the performance of Drew Taylor as Eliza's father, Alfred Doolittle, the unabashedly undeserving poor dustman.

Taylor plays the part with a roguish sparkle in his eye and earned the first wave of rising audience members in what became a full-fledged standing ovation when McKenzie and Van Winkle took their bows.

And two Marshall residents, actor Michael Brennan and dancer Mason McCloud, have parts in the play, both as members of the ensemble.

The only downside to the show was an inconsistent set. Scenic designer Sarah Carraher created a fine version of Professor Higgins' study, where much of the action occurs, but the backdrops for scenes on the London streets appeared rough, as if the artwork was hurried. It wasn't just the broad strokes that made them distracting but the choice of colors -- an odd orange cast for buildings -- and the suggestion of structures that didn't seem to fit a common expectation of what London might look like.

"My Fair Lady" runs through Saturday, July 31, with shows at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 28; 2 p.m. Thursday, July 29; 8 p.m. Friday, July 30; and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, July 31.

Contact Eric Crump at ecrump@marshallnews.com

Online:
www.lyceumtheatre.org