Aficionados of musical theater classics will appreciate Cinnabar Theater’s production of Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, running through Feb. 8 in Rohnert Park in the Warren Auditorium at Sonoma State University. Directed by Christian Arteaga, it is a prime example of keeping it simple and casting well and of actors working tirelessly in pursuit of excellence.
The nearly full house certainly seemed to enjoy the evening, watching poor, scrappy Eliza Doolittle (Brittany Law) become a real English lady under the tutelage of the emotionally immature Professor Higgins (superb Trevor Hoffman) and kindly Col. Pickering (Tim Setzer, who excels in saucy, mugging moments).
I grew up watching the 1964 film adaptation of My Fair Lady, starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. I always wondered why Eliza ended up with the pompous Higgins and also why Rex Harrison never actually sang, but rather, talked in a sing-song way. Lucky for us, Hoffman outdoes Harrison in vocals and gives Higgins characteristics that make him more understandable.
The play doesn’t delve into the WHYs of the story, with characterizations and motivations thin, but it does give us a fairytale full of memorable music, performed live by pianist Brett Strader and harpist Krista Strader. Standouts include “I Could Have Danced All Night,” which showcases Law’s powerful, beautiful voice, and the bawdy “Get Me to the Church on Time,” featuring Nathan Cummings as Eliza’s freewheeling dad, performing a raucous dance number with the ensemble.
About this ensemble: They are all excellent throughout, highlighted in “With a Little Bit of Luck.” Each voice can be heard both distinctively and harmoniously, and each performer steals moments.
Though I really would have loved to see Law go totally feral as pre-posh Eliza, she excels in her newly minted lady status moments, especially at the Ascot races. At the end, there seemed a moment of squashed impulses between Higgins and Eliza, where a less restrained interaction would have been much more satisfying, especially after Eliza declares her need for actions to the young lovestruck Freddy (a whirling dervish played by Liam Cody) in “Show Me!”
It’s what is not shown and not developed in the relationship of Higgins and Eliza that’s really needed to make this romance truthful. But, by all means, one may judge for themself and consider a ticket to this well made production.
Cinnabar Theater presents ‘My Fair Lady’ through Feb. 8 at Warren Auditorium in Ives Hall at Sonoma State University. 1801 E. Cotati Ave., Rohnert Park. Fri–Sat, 7pm; Sun, 2pm. $23–$72. 707.763.8920. cinnabartheater.org.
