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It’s Worth The Trip To See ‘My Fair ’*»» sunny pjuusanuiuss uuuvc iu un uuguuiums ui me umii uucives ingthe lay tlly ix -)hn/life entich ire fit, un-his ingthe iai lerumeen ^irniteCEDAR GROVE ~ “My Fair Lady,” with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, is so per* fectly constructed it could withstand a mediocre presentation and still come out on top-it could, but it is never put to the test at theMeadowbrook Theatre f Restaurant, where it openedMay 19.(SET NEWSPAPERSevery Thursday by ceton Packet, Inc.e: 240South Main St.4!le,N.J. 08835 hone: 725-3300h. Managing EditorSates and Business Manager[in NEWSRECORDn St., Somerset, N.J. News Editor1)545-0029anville NewsiainSt.,Manville,t\.J............News Editor1) 72S-3300-^NEWSouth, Somerville, N.J, News Editor1725-3301rs in all three newspapers iption rates: One Year 18. Newsstand price 10Box 146, Somerville, N.J. 08876ETON PACKET INC.Publishermd Corporate Headquarterst St., Princeton, N.J. 08540* Chairman of the Board Editor and Genera! ManagerIxecutive Editor and Business Manager .Mechanical Superintendent ............Circulation ManagerThere the play set to music (from George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion) is enhanced by star performers Edward Mulhare and Karen Shepard, who wear their roles with the familiar fit of old favorites.Both are well practiced. Edward Mulhare made his American debut as Henry Higgins, taking over from Rex Harrison and playing the role for three years in the original Broadway production, and then using it to sell good will to the Soviet Union, on tour to Moscow, Leningrad and Kiev.Karen Shepard played Eliza at the Meadowbrook twice before, opposite Reginald Gardiner and also the late Zachary Scott. She began as an understudy for Julie Andrews.Edward Mulhare speaks/sings his musical parts in much the manner of Rex Harrison, which is most charmingly effective in “I’m an Ordinary Man.Karen Shepard has a lovely warm and clear voice, and is particularly fetching when she sings “I Could Have Danced All Night.But the best voice of all was that of John Witham, a lyric “high baritone, who hailsfrom Highland Park.After two years an an entertainment specialist in the army's special services, he played in summer stock, including the Foothill Playhouse in Middlesex.Witham plays an engaging Freddy Eynsford-Hill; in fact he is so pleasant and winning that we almost would not mind if Mr. Lerner had left Shaw’s work unaltered and given Eliza to Freddy. Almost-that is if Mulhare were not playing Henry.“My Fair Lady is a classic of American musicals, unfurling one lilting tune after another.Donald Yap is to be commended for his musical direction; the choruses are extremely well done by the Meadowbrook group.However, the audio equipment should be listed as a handicap. It seemed to distort the music, which probably did not need mechanical amplification anyway. Thechoreography, directed by Harry Woolever, is delightful, and the race- Irack scene is most originally effective.Jack FJeteber is a beguiling Alfred P. Doolittle, Col. Pickering is portrayed by Guy Spauil, and while he looked the part and played it with Watson-esque stature, some of his lines were lost in a mumble, others over a stumble, However, his appearance was most proper.The theater-in-the-round stage is made the most of. Changes of scenery occur quickly and quietly in the dark. The aisles are incorporated into the scenes ‘and used with naturalness for ail exits and entrances.What a happy way to start a vacalion-or take the place of a vacation if you don’t actually get one this year.“My Fair Lady is most pleasant therapy for the work-weary, guaranteed to set every tired foot to dancing and every zestless heart romancing.Some may go to see the ghost of “The Ghost and Mrs. Muir in flesh-and-blood, others to enjoy the music. No one will be disappointed.Performances will berepeated every Wednesday through Sunday until June 27.Reservations may be made by phoning Barbara Nolan at 256*1455. The theater is located at 1050 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, N.J. (about an hour’s drive) and may be reached by the Garden State Parkway to the Bloomfield Avenue exit, Bloomfield Ave. to U.S.Highway 23.The theater is on the left-hand side of 23 with parking in the rear.COLLEEN ZIRNITE
Newspaper Details
Franklin News Record
Franklin, New Jersey, US
Thu, May 27, 1971
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Jeanne T.
USA 28 Mar 2023
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Franklin News Record
