MY FAIR LADY (2018) Previews — Page 32

greenifyme2 said: "I stopped reading this thread after I was attacked for saying I didn’t like it... popped back in here and wow."

That's because Rippedman's criticisms and others are stemming from the production choices and acting choices (or perceived limitations while others see them as strengths) while you attacked the actual score and book. You didn't even understand that Higgins' songs were written that way purposefully which made people question your understanding, taste, and possibly age. Not to mention mentioning some anonymous unprofessional usher who you thought would give credence to your opinion, who I hope was reprimanded for his behavior.

I don't agree with some of what RippedMan says and I do think there is another reflection of some anti-Ambrose sentiments that started since her casting was announced, but I DO understand where they come from and I respect his opinion because he has a different idea of how My Fair Lady should be produced and what Eliza should sound like.

Updated On: 6/15/18 at 03:00 PM

Interesting to see one's highlight can be another's downer. It seems that some people go to revivals to seek reaffirmation or just "relive" what they once experienced. Although I'm not saying that it is wrong to do so, I wonder if some people would've enjoyed productions like this better if they came in with the mindset of seeing an original work.

Updated On: 6/16/18 at 11:15 AM

ScottyDoesn'tKnow2 said: "greenifyme2 said: "I stopped reading this thread after I was attacked for saying I didn’t like it... popped back in here and wow."

That's because Rippedman's criticisms and others are stemming from the production choices and acting choices (or perceived limitations while others see them as strengths) while you attacked the actual score and book. You didn't even understand that Higgins' songs were written that way purposefully which made people question your understanding, taste, and possibly age. Not to mention mentioning some anonymous unprofessional usher who you thought would give credence to your opinion,who I hope was reprimanded for his behavior.

I don't agree with some of what RippedMan says and I do think there is another reflection of some anti-Ambrose sentiments that started since her casting was announced, but I DO understand where they come from and I respect his opinion because he has a different idea of how My Fair Lady should be produced and what Eliza should sound like."

You're correct, I thought it was a choice but I did not understand it was intentionally written that way. I can't force myself to like something, but perhaps if it was a different production, an overall first impression of the material would have been better received.

RippedMan said: "I just wish there had been some lighter moments, I wonder if Sher really knows how to direct comedy? I've only really seen him do serious shows. I thought the Ascot scene should be hilarious, but i felt more muted."

I honestly wonder if he knows how to direct comedy. His productions really do take on a different, muted tone. Even his most celebrated productions have done that. I stated earlier in how he sacrifices the comedic timing and landing of the lines and instead goes for emotional weight and used my experience watching The King and I and comparing his directing of Ken Watanabe (and plus Watanabe's command of English which I'm one of those who felt he was like 90-95% perfectly decipherable). Watanabe missed a lot of the comedic timing to really make his King funny that I've seen in some videos on YouTube, but what I got instead was a man with such magnetism and command that I really did believe he was a King. I wonder if Rodgers/Hammerstein shows lends itself better for Sher's treatment than My Fair Lady. R/H's shows have such lofty ambitions to hit people emotionally while Lerner/Loewe's treatment of My Fair Lady really does seem to turn more on the lines.

I wondered this and I'm one of those who really did love this revival of My Fair Lady and it revealed things to me about this piece and about Eliza that I did not see before and am grateful to see and I do think Ambrose is my favorite rendition of Eliza even if she has that look of concentration when she's singing due to her sensitivity and want to portray Eliza in a manner so unlike most twenty something year-olds that I've seen play the part and I thought her book scenes with Harry Hadden-Paton were the best I've seen those scenes played. I also much preferred what Jordan Donica did with Freddy than just short-changing him as the simpering fool. Donica did an interview recently and was asked if he had any advice for for any actor playing Freddy and Donica said don't shortchange him or assume he has no depth. He said even Shaw wrote some things in his notes and play to show Freddy is more than what people think he is. That's the direction he went and I do prefer that.

Maybe the next revival will make more people happy if they can balance all the great things this revival showcased while still making the comedic lines work.

I think I'd be curious to see someone else play these parts in this revival and see what I think. I love "Just You Wait" but her "ho ho hos" were so quiet and it didn't feel like a big moment because of her voice. Maybe she just doesn't have a belt? Which you need in musical theater. I wanted that song to come over more, and it didn't. Same with "Show Me," which I love.

Donica I didn't care for. I wanted a more booming voice for Freddy. I love his song and I just wanted to be bowled over by it, but felt like any number of men could sing that song. I just didn't get why HE was the one playing the part, you know? Like why him? Why now? He just didn't do anything for me and I didn't see any spark. Nor did I think he liked women, but maybe that's rude to say.

I just always want their scene with "Without You" to be better and more explosive and more of a pay-off, but it isn't.

I've been there three times now and all three times at some point I thought that Lauren's voice wasn't sufficiently loud. Today I heard two separate groups near me make the same complaint. But we were all sitting just a few rows in front of the orchestra and that may have been a factor.

Otherwise I find Lauren to be just very endearing. She's never going to sing "Show Me" like Julie Andrews. One of my favorite songs and one of Andrew's also, I think. She sang it often in concert and on TV specials, way back in the days when the television networks used to turn over a whole hour of prime time to a Sinatra, Andrews, Mitzi Gaynor and many more. Julie Andrews even had a weekly show of her own that was canceled after one season, to my disgust.