'My Fair Lady'

[BroadwayBoy2005]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 11:40am

The repertory theatre in my area just announced it's 2004-05 season and the first show they are going to do is 'My Fair Lady'. It is described by the theatre as being performed by an ensemble of 10 actors and using composer Frederick Loewe's rarely-heard original two-piano musical arrangements.

I know all about this musical, but I have no clue what it means by the two-piano score and why only 10 actors are in it- maybe the actors are this theatre's idea, but I'm just wondering if anyone's ever seen it performed this way.

Hope that made sense.
-bb2005 Updated On: 6/29/04 at 11:40 AM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 11:57am

Two piano means their will be no orchestra. Instead the entire score will be done on two pianos. As I have understood it, this reduction had Fritz Loewe's approval although it has not been used all that often.

This smaller production was just done in a well-received production with Michaerl Cumpsty at the McCarter Theatre in Princeton, NJ. Anyone see it?

I am sure there are reviews of this production at various sites.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 12:04pm

Here's the Times review of the McCarter production:
http://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9C02EED61F30F934A25755C0A9629C8B63

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 12:24pm

There was also a production at the Court theatre in Chicago a couple of years ago that received excellent reviews.

Posted: 6/29/04 at 1:05pm

Gary Griffin (the director of the upcoming Color Purple musical) directed this show in Chicago with this format and McCarter just closed its run this past sunday. The show is in the midst of being transferred to Hartford Stage (opens July 7th)with the same cast (albiet with a different Eliza and Higgins) - all under Griffin's leadership. It's gotten great reviews in each incarnation, and it features Jane Connell (The Full Monty and Mame - on film), Jim Stanyek (Hero in the Forum revival w/Nathan Lane), Stephen Mo Hannan (Original cast of CATS, and wrote a book about being in the show)...
Definitely worth seeing! My best friend is the ASM on the show and I just got back from moving her up to Hartford today... that was a drive!
But I digress,
DT.

Posted: 6/29/04 at 1:05pm

Gary Griffin (the director of the upcoming Color Purple musical) directed this show in Chicago with this format and McCarter just closed its run this past sunday. The show is in the midst of being transferred to Hartford Stage (opens July 7th)with the same cast (albiet with a different Eliza and Higgins) - all under Griffin's leadership. It's gotten great reviews in each incarnation, and it features Jane Connell (The Full Monty and Mame - on film), Jim Stanyek (Hero in the Forum revival w/Nathan Lane), Stephen Mo Hannan (Original cast of CATS, and wrote a book about being in the show)...
Definitely worth seeing! My best friend is the ASM on the show and I just got back from moving her up to Hartford today... that was a drive!
But I digress,
DT.

[Jon]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 5:36pm

Gary Griffin DID NOT originate the concept of the ten-actor version of MY FAIR LADY. It was first done four years ago at Trinity Rep in Providence, Rhode Island, directed by Amanda Dehnert. Griffin was merely the first director to rip off Dehnert's concept. Now everyone is doing it!

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 6/29/04 at 11:54pm

DT. Your icon's gonna make me throw up!