My Fair Lady — Page 2

I thought Ken Watanabe was sensational as the King and brought a real intensity and stage presence to the role. I know it's not a fair comparison because I'm sure he was everything his reputation said he was live, but I much preferred Watanabe's performance to that of Yul Brynner's in the film version. Most people I overheard during intermission and after the show seemed to have agreed with me regarding Watanabe's performance. I think maybe some of Watanabe's line-readings may have missed some of the humor that is potentially there (I saw a YouTube video of a regional production where the actor totally nailed the line delivery), but he brought something else that I felt perfectly fit the tone of what Sher was going for with that production.



ETA: I do have some apprehensions about Ambrose's singing this particular score because I haven't heard her sing anything that sounds like anything from this score. I do really hope there's a surprising soprano that just hadn't been exposed to the public yet. However, if she really brings the emotions to the songs, then I can see the songs resonating than a more clinically correct sung version. However, I dream of having both.

Updated On: 1/18/18 at 03:33 PM

I'm having a hard time reconciling that sound with Eliza's songs. I think it's one of those things I just need to hear for myself.

I'm more concerned that IMO Bart Sher tends to take the humor out of pieces. It's a valid approach to take a more serious look at classic musicals but IMO My Fair Lady needs humor and a light touch, otherwise it can seem extremely long and talky. The show has one of the wittiest books ever made for musicals (I mean duh, it's mostly G.B. Shaw). I hope this revival sparkles with that wit and humor.

I kind of disagree, the revival from 2004 was much more self serious than the 2015 revival. At least Bartlett Sher's revival of Fiddler on the Roof was a bit more balanced with both comedy and drama.

But that's just me.

According to the LCT website, the revival will have a 37 member cast and will have a 30 piece orchestra using the original Robert Russell Bennett and Phillip J. Lang orchestrations (which is really good IMO).

I will be in the city celebrating my birthday over opening for this show. I've never experienced a Broadway opening before, and I would love to be able to attend with my husband. Any tips on getting tickets as they are not for sale?

poisonivy2 said: "I'm more concerned that IMO Bart Sher tends to take the humor out of pieces. It's a valid approach to take a more serious look at classic musicals but IMO My Fair Lady needs humor and a light touch, otherwise it can seem extremely long and talky. The show has one of the wittiest books ever made for musicals (I mean duh, it's mostly G.B. Shaw). I hope this revival sparkles with that wit and humor."

Alan Jay Lerner is spinning
in his grave. In one of his
autobiographies, he com-
plains that he wrote at least
75% of the libretto, but be-
cause he worked so hard
to match Shaw's dialogue,
everyone assumes Lerner
just cut and paste from
PYGMALION.

I've never made a line by
line comparison myself,
but that's what Lerner said
on the subject. LOL.

(To be clear, I'm not
"correcting" you. I don't
know the truth. I'm just
adding AJL's claim to
the thread.)

Updated On: 1/29/18 at 08:50 PM

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Lincoln-Center-Theater-Announces-Full-Casting-For-MY-FAIR-LADY-20180131

Full casting!

Updated On: 1/31/18 at 10:51 AM

Allan Corduner as PIckering - wow, amazing!

Has it been mentioned that Freddy is being played by a non Caucasian actor? And Sher is usually accused of not doing any non-traditional casting.