MY FAIR LADY (2018) Previews — Page 8

If I may add to jaybee's description--she takes the hand that has caressed his cheek and touches her heart with it.

As jaybee says, it's all very uncharacteristic and dreamlike. And *wordless*--from a character who is defined entirely by her words.

BWAY Baby2 said: "Just because someone pulls the plug on a relationship today- does not mean a reconciliation is not possible tomorrow- c'mon- how many times have we all been in relationships where the push and pull - and break ups- have been present- and yet the relationship still resumes- my self- my partner of 22 years and I broke up three times before we came back together for good. Eliza showing her independence a the end does not necessarily take away the ambiguity of resuming the relationship in the future- I see it April 1- will write about it after I see it."

There's a difference between breaking up due to circumstances and breaking up because the relationship is toxic. Personally the second deserves no second chance under any circumstances.

Ah, yes. She did say that. I forgot. And I definitely couldn't see her touch her heart from my point of view. I have bought a ticket in the Loge with a straight on view for my birthday in May and I can't wait to revisit. I wouldn't change sitting close, even if off center for anything. Higgins was turned towards me while listening to her recording. The look on his face was heartbreaking. For the first time, I really felt for him. That look is also what gives me the impression that it was his fantasy/imagination.

"If it makes you feel better, one can still take this ending and imagine Eliza and Higgins continuing their Sam/Diane routine"



Thank you very much for your kind solicitude, but, sorry, it doesn't make me feel any better. And I don't have to "imagine" anything, because I saw. And what I saw I did not like.

The only consolation in these dismaying enterprises is that it makes you appreciate even more how lucky you were to have experienced the glory of an original production, that is if you were lucky enough to have experienced it. I was lucky enough. I appreciated my good fortune then and was infinitely grateful. That gratitude has only grown through the years. It grew a millionfold last evening.

And another point. You seem very pleased at the discussion this production has engendered. Personally, when I go to see a show, I don't give a hoot in hell if it provokes a discussion or not. I just want to see a production done RIGHT.

Can someone please post the understudy list

kade.ivy said: "For those who know, what’s the stage direction in the original libretto? Is the ending open-ended? Is Eliza supposed to get the slippers (unlike in the MFL film)?"

Do you mean in Pygmalion? IIRC, there's no mention of slippers. He asks her to do some shopping for him, or something like that. (Another reason I like the Lerner ending. Number one, he ties it back to previous events, and number two, he's clearly not serious about her getting his slippers, while in Shaw he clearly is serious about her doing the shopping.)

Mildred,

You disappoint me.

Why not try using a little common sense, for once?

If I truly wanted to lie about having seen a production I hadn't, it would have been the easiest thing in the world for me to make up an opinion of actor's performance, the set design, or anything else, just based on previous comments, or on nothing at all.

Ok, we might as well clarify some facts about the history of the ending.

The original Pygmalion ends with the confrontation in Mrs. Higgins's home, concluding with Eliza's exit. Henry says to himself "Marry Freddy?" and laughs as the curtain comes down. Original audiences were confused and disappointed as to why Eliza and Henry didn't end up marrying, so Shaw wrote a "sequel" (more a "where are they now" ) which explains that Eliza marries Freddy and eventually maintains a cordial, platonic friendship with Henry.

The ending in which Eliza returns to Higgins was written for the 1938 film of Pygmalion, due to pressure from the studio which Shaw firmly opposed. That ending can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmdPj_XbF30 (I should note that the film is in the public domain, so its appearance in its entirety on youtube is legal. Also, it's a great film with some great performances).

The musical's script follows that ending exactly, reading:

(ELIZA walks softly into the room and stands for a moment by the machine looking at HIGGINS)

HIGGINS' VOICE: It's almost irresistible. She's so deliciously low, so horribly dirty. (ELIZA turns off the machine)

ELIZA: (Gently) I washed my face and hands before I come, I did.

(HIGGINS straightens up. If he could but let himself, his face would radiate unmistakable relief and joy. If he could but let himself, he would run to her. Instead, he leans back with a contented sigh pushing his hat forward till it almost covers his face)

HIGGINS: (Softly) Eliza? Where the devil are my slippers?

(There are tears in Eliza's eyes. She understands. The curtain falls slowly)

Lerner also includes a note at the front of the script which reads: "For the published version of Pygmalion, Shaw wrote a preface and an epilogue which he called a sequel. I have omitted the preface because the information contained therein is less pertinent to My Fair Lady than it is to Pygmalion. I have omitted the sequel because in it Shaw explains how Eliza ends not with Higgins but with Freddy and--Shaw and Heaven forgive me!--I am not certain he is right."

Anyone who objects to this production's ending subverting the text has to somehow reconcile that feeling with the knowledge that Lerner (and Shaw's film studio and co-screenwriters) knowingly subverted the original text. That ending was originally written because the sensibility of the audience wanted to see that happen. It only makes sense to revert it to the original ending now that that's where the sensibility of the audience is.

Updated On: 3/16/18 at 11:53 AM

As far as I'm concerned, anyone who would deliberately pair Eliza with Freddie deserved to be subverted.

That's my opinion. I realize there are many opinions on the subject. That one is mine.

kade.ivy said: "Thank you, Ravenclaw and MCfan2. For some reason, I thought she throws the slippers at him in MFL. I knew they didn’t end up together in Pygmalion."

She does throw them -- after they come home from the ball and he's been hogging all the credit. Not at the end.

Thanks to all who are posting about the first preview. I'm seeing this next month, shortly after it opens, and I'll be curious to see if the ending stays as you all describe. I don't have a problem with changing it from the movie (which I didn't like), but if the audience is confused about whether it's really happening or Higgins is dreaming it sounds like it needs some work.

I'm rereading "Everything Was Possible", about the original production of Follies, and Hal Prince and Michael Bennett made changes all the way up to opening night, sometimes influenced by audience reactions or lack thereof. Yes, it was a long time ago, and I don't know if things are still done that way, but as I say, I'm very interested to find out!