My Fair Lady
at Loveland High School
Reviewed on November 9, 2019
Maya Batshoun
Notre Dame Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 1
"My Fair Lady" is a show that is bursting at the seams with lovable characters, quotable moments, and songs that will stay in your head for days to come. While some may see this mid-century, classical piece as a daunting task, the students at Loveland High School gave a performance that proves why, decades later, this show is still widely loved and enjoyed.
This 1956 Lerner and Loewe's classic follows the story of the young London flower girl, Eliza Doolittle (Anna Colletto), who is taken in by linguist Professor Henry Higgins (Aiden Hubbard) in order to correct her thick cockney accent. Mr. Higgins takes on her case in order to prove to his associate, Colonel Pickering (William Gibbs-Heard), that he can pass her off as a duchess in the matter of a few months. Through a lively journey of music and captivating characters, Eliza transforms from an ordinary flower girl to a strong-willed, eloquent woman. In a story of growth, the characters develop complex relationships and learn what it means to be true to themselves.
Loveland High School's production of "My Fair Lady" brought a fresh perspective to the timeless piece. Their use of projections (by Amy Laufersweiler and Ava Swearingen) in order to create the streets of London offered a visually appealing backdrop to the story. The talented ensemble enhanced the energy of the production, from precise execution of the choreography, to creating active scenes on stage.
Anna Colletto's portrayal of Eliza Doolittle was impressive. She properly conveyed the cockney accent and the character's development of speech patterns. Anna also gave a vocal performance that captivated the audience. The energy she brought to the character complimented her costar Aiden Hubbard's performance of Henry Higgins. Aiden utilized the stage in a way that added to superiority that Higgins feels throughout the show.
One of the brightest features of this production may have been Aidan McCarcken's performance as Alfred Doolittle. The comedic character was brought to life by a light-hearted execution that had the audience laughing from start to finish.
The production was up to par in its technical aspects as well. The "My Fair Lady" Orchestra gave a performance that was nearly professional. Lighting (by Kathryn Taylor, Nick Peebles, Sarah Scheper, and Matthew Rychlik) and sound (by Adam Zdorjewski, Evan Bell, Joshua Byrant, and Jessica Ferrell) cues were perfectly timed, and scene transitions happened quickly and effectively.
Loveland High School's production of "My Fair Lady" offers a high quality, fresh take on a charming classic musical.
Mary Defoor
School for Creative & Performing Arts
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 10
The classic and timeless musical, "My Fair Lady ," was taken in stride by Loveland High School in their recent production.
The time-honored retelling of George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" features the Cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle , as she endures speech lessons from the self-absorbed professor, Henry Higgins, in order to pass as a lady in Edwardian London, England . Originally starring Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison , the musical opened in 1956 to enjoy massive critical success and various revivals.
Loveland High School's engaging performance showcased innovative set design, exciting choreography, and exceptional dialect work. The show began with a thrilling energy and kept up the momentum through the three hour runtime.
Anna Colletto mastered Eliza Doolittle's challenging shift from a thick Cockney accent to that of a refined Edwardian lady, her voice soaring through the demanding musical numbers. Aiden Hubbard portrayed the proud Henry Higgins with an appropriately standoffish air, and Aidan McCracken hit every comedic mark playing Alfred P. Doolittle .
The ensemble songs were charismatic and gripping, while the individual numbers never faltered. Featured ensemble members delivered witty lines with charm, originality, and humor. With engaging choreography backing up beautiful vocals, the actors brought together the best elements of the show.
The animated projections over the backdrop, coupled with practical props, allowed for swift scene changes that carried on the momentum of the show. Sound cues were always spot on, and the lighting perfectly contributed to the tone of each scene. The beautiful and varied costumes matched each character's personality and stature within the confines of the time period. The talented orchestra executed the classic music with ease, uplifting the singing while still standing out on their own.
With soaring energy and captivating zeal, Loveland High School's production of "My Fair Lady" brought a new vitality to the timeless classic, "bloomin' arse" and all.
Josie Palmarini
School for Creative & Performing Arts
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 2
Grab lots of chocolates for you to eat, and get ready to dance all night, because Loveland Highschool's production of Lerner and Loewe's Pygmalion-inspired "My Fair Lady" is the most charming and lively spectacle of season!
"My Fair Lady" begins like many tales before it: With a bet. Phonetics professor Henry Higgins , overly confident in his abilities and jaded by years of being alone, is dared by the wealthy Colonel Pickering to transform Eliza Doolittle , a Cockney, lower-class flower girl, into a "lady" who can pass for a member of high society.
Aiden Hubbard gave an earnest and remarkable performance as the complicated and pompous phonetics professor, Henry Higgins , and he was able to show a wide range of emotions from exasperated and perturbed to conflicted and illustrious. Anna Colletto provided us with a provocative and delightful portrayal of the central character, Eliza Doolittle . Colletto really astonished when she sang the classic song, "I Could Have Danced All Night," during which she enchanted us with her exquisite voice and powerful emotional performance. The onstage chemistry between Aiden Hubbard and Anna Colletto was extremely profound and impassioned, especially during one of the final numbers,"Without You."
William Gibbs-Heard and Claire Yoder were both exemplary as the supporting characters, Colonel Pickering and Mrs. Pearce . Gibbs-Heard's Pickering and Yoder's Pearce both provided perfect foils to Hubbard's Higgins ,y and they all played off each other impeccably during the song "You Did It." Aiden McCracken was outstanding and hilarious as the comical role of Eliza's dead-beat father, Alfred P. Doolittle . McCracken's comedic timing was on-point in every scene he was in, and he really delivered on the laughs during both of his break-out numbers, "With a Little Bit of Luck" and "Get Me to the Church on Time."
The set for Loveland Highschool's production of "My Fair Lady" was brilliantly executed with their use of background projections to show location changes, done by Amy Laufersweiler and Ava Swearingen . "My Fair Lady" moves from place to place exceedingly quickly, and Loveland's stage crew handled that pressure incredibly well, with every scene transition slick and instantaneous. The costumes, especially Eliza's , were enchanting and really helped whisk the viewer back to 1910 England.
Loveland High School's production of "My Fair Lady" provided us with all of the grace, merriment, and magic that one could ask for, while still communicating an important story about classism and respect. In addition, reminded everyone that it doesn't matter where you come from or what you sound like, as strength, intelligence, and kindness resides in all of us.
Mahayla Marshall
School for Creative & Performing Arts
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 3
Loveland High School's production of "My Fair Lady" had everyone with a little bit of luck enough to see it moving their bloomin' arse to a standing ovation! Alan Jay Lerner's "My Fair Lady" stems from inspiration from George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play, " Pygmalion ," a story with roots in Greek mythology and a Henry who falls for a statue of his own creation. "My Fair Lady" follows a young cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle played by Anna Colletto , and her journey to become a lady. She is mentored by phonetics professor Henry Higgins , played by Aiden Hubbard . Henry Higgins bets with his colleague, Colonel Pickering played by William Gibbs-Heard , that he couldn't turn Eliza Doolittle from a peasant girl on the streets to a lady at the ball.
Loveland High School encapsulated the elegance, charm, and poise of the show in all aspects of production. Immediately, the theater is drenched in the lovely sounds of a student orchestra as the overture began. From there, the cast and crew displayed perfect timing and blend that could have kept anyone dancing all night! The makeup, designed by Adrianna Bell , showed a variety of age, class, and status that supported the plot with poignant accuracy.
The dialects involved in "My Fair Lady" can make the show challenging for any American-English speaking cast, but Loveland High School students, as told by the director, took on this challenge on their own. Each character had perfected the accent necessary for their role, but the largest example of this would have to be Anna Colletto as Eliza Doolittle . In the early scenes,-Colletto used an ear-piercing Cockney accent, but as the show progressed, Colletto subtly transitioned to a posh English accent as crisp and smooth as chocolates, Doolittle's weakness.
Overall, not only were the cast's dialects sharp and keen, their dancing was as well. Each number showed clear dedication to the choreography. The number, "A Little Bit of Luck," jumped out-literally- in particular, as well-rehearsed and incredibly entertaining. The show was delightfully delicious to the eye and the ear, every song sung with grace, played with passion, and danced with immense energy.
Joshua Inman
Ross High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 4
If there is a setting that encapsulates a classic musical, it would be good ol' London. The city brews with artistry, literature, scholarship, passion, and hard-working people trying to improve themselves for the better. These ideas perfectly describe the 1956 musical. " My Fair Lady," and these ideas are translated into Loveland High School's production of the same musical.
The musical follows a young woman named Eliza Doolittle, who befriends an American professor named Henry Higgins, in order to help transform her from a frumpy, dirty, poor-speaking girl to an articulate fair lady. Through this journey, Ms. Doolittle not only faces quarrels between herself and Mr. Higgins, but also finds trouble brewing within her own life.
In this production, many talented students bring this vibrant musical to life. Stunning performances included both Anna Colletto and Aiden Hubbard as the leads, as well as William Gibbs-Heard and Claire Yoder playing the down-to-earth Colonel Pickering and the motherly Mrs. Pearce, respectively. Particularly, Colletto showed exceptional vocal talents through her singing voice and her consistent Cockney accent that lasted through the majority of the first act.
In addition to the main leads and supporting characters, Aidan McCracken's Alfred P. Doolittle truly stole the show. McCracken performed with grandiose expression and physically fit the brash, colorful Doolittle. This performance is made even more enjoyable with the Cockney Quartet, comprising of WilliaSam Broelmann, Charlie Housemeyer, George Jewell, and Myles Lamson, who all gave tons of energy to their performances.
However, the ensemble as a whole helps add a dash of energy into the entire production. In all of their numbers, the ensemble brings out clear, passionate vocals along with crisp, energetic choreography. This is highlighted within the song "Get Me to the Church on Time," where the ensemble, led by McCracken, produce so much energy through their singing and dancing that the entire auditorium was left stunned.
To add to the fun, the My Fair Lady Orchestra helped being the songs and scenes to life. Led by Ryan Yoxthimer, the talented students helped the scenes flow naturally, as well as giving the songs an extra dose of passion that helps elevate the production as a whole.
Loveland High School's production of My Fair Lady provides a fun, energetic, and passionate experience that brings life to the stage and captures the love of the audience.
Nadya Ellerhorst
Walnut Hills High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 5
Using proper grammar can be tedious for child and adult alike. However, Loveland High School's production of "My Fair Lady" made for one entertaining lesson in linguistics, etiquette, and following one's heart.
Adopted from George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play "Pygmalion," "My Fair Lady" was brought to the Broadway stage in 1956 by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. This touchstone of musical theatre tells the tale of Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle who wishes to become a proper Edwardian lady. Phonetics professor Henry Higgins makes a bet with companion Colonel Pickering that he can pass Eliza off as a member of high society. Through the ups and downs of their lessons, domineering Higgins develops a soft spot for "guttersnipe" Eliza who likewise becomes a self-sufficient force to be reckoned with.
Despite the production's nearly three hour span, the high-energy cast never let their passion wane, making it clear that they could have danced all night if necessary. Additionally, the actors' convincingly mature demeanors and adeptness at exploring the stage in out and of musical numbers made for an engrossing spectacle that provided a musically-tinted glimpse into Edwardian English society.
Anna Colleto's depiction of chocoholic Eliza's metamorphosis from a delightfully uncouth ragamuffin into a polished, independent lady was wonderful. Using her splendid vocal talents, Colletto let Eliza's sweet disposition shine in iconic songs like "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?" and "I Could Have Danced All Night." Aiden Hubbard's prim Henry Higgins and William Gibbs, Heard's cheerful Colonel Pickering, served as the perfect foils for each other as they assisted Eliza in her journey to grammatical grandeur. As tough-love Higgins, Hubbard impressively maintained his character's strait-laced, patronizing air, even during humorous moments, while Gibbs,Heard's jolly Pickering, was always keen to comfort Eliza during Higgins's autocratic instructions.
Aidan McCracken's Alfred P. Doolittle was drunken, coarse, crass- and one of the show's most lovable characters. Going through his own social transfiguration, McCracken's Doolittle began the production as a satisfied low-life, only to have his livelihood destroyed by some incredibly good fortune, and remained the fount of laughter throughout. With the lively ensemble by his side, McCracken's performance, especially in the show-stopping "Get Me to the Church on Time," made nasty Mr. Doolittle a highlight. Although some of the cast's convincing Cockney accents made a few lines difficult to understand, their ability to maintain their accents for the show's entirety and during complicated musical numbers revealed their Higgins-esque dedication to mastering linguistics.
The production simply wouldn't have been as "loverly" without the efforts of the props and special effects teams. From a glowing fire pit to baskets bursting with flowers, the student-made props contributed immensely to the spectacle's early 20th-century feel, especially in Professor Higgins's study, which was furnished with a realistic gramophone and an indecipherable phonetics chart. Additionally, the use of projected backdrops made the show even more immersive and allowed for scenic touches like falling leaves and fog-filled streets. Overall, the evident attention to detail in both props and special effects were integral in transforming a standard stage into 1912 London.
With the talents of the cast, work of the crew, and a striking take on the musical's controversial ending, Loveland High School's rendition of "My Fair Lady" was powerful enough to send London Bridge itself falling down.
Lucy Lawler
Saint Ursula Academy
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 6
Imagine the decadent world of early 1900's England: cobble roads, soft-lit lamps, embassy balls, exciting horse races, afternoon tea, and more. Wouldn't it be lovely? In Loveland High School's production of "My Fair Lady ," the audience is taken on a luxurious journey.
Based on George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion ," "My Fair Lady" is widely regarded as a musical masterpiece. The story follows Eliza Doolittle , a young girl who sells flowers in the lively streets of London. When a phoneticist named Henry Higgins bets that he can stamp out Eliza's accent and make her a lady, an amusing series of events ensues. Following Eliza's success, Henry refuses to acknowledge her accomplishments, causing a rift between the two. When Eliza is courted by the love-struck Freddy Eynsford-Hill , she must choose between the man who "made" her and the one who moons over her.
Loveland High School delivered a wonderful performance of a classic tale. Adding a surprise twist, the production echoed modern themes of femininity. With crisp choreography and intense acting, the musical was both authentic and aesthetic.
Anna Colletto's portrayal of Eliza Doolittle was charming and determined. Equipped with an accurate Cockney accent, her stage presence was larger than the plains in Spain. Colletto's gorgeous soprano was also impressive, especially in solo songs such as "Just You Wait." Aiden Hubbard's performance as the stubborn, yet genius Henry Higgins was also well-executed. The actor did not shy away from Higgins's snobbery, and his assertive vocal style fit the character to boot. Together, these two performers made the show intense and captivating, especially during their highly emotional fight scenes.
The ensemble and supporting cast was absolutely dedicated. Aidan McCracken , who played Eliza's father Alfred , was utterly hilarious. Charismatic despite his character's many flaws, McCracken teemed with energy. Both his zealous delivery and attitude stood out. Claire Yoder as Mrs. Pearce was also impressive; her constant reactions added a layer of authenticity to the performance. Finally, the London feel was generated by the entire cast and crew. Everyone was perfectly in sync and moved in a cohesive unit spectacularly.
Technical elements also heightened the performance. Projections served as moving backgrounds of color, bringing London to life. The physical set was beautifully accurate. Higgins's study featured dark wood desks and vintage furniture carefully reupholstered by crew members. The props crew, led by Jordan Lawrence , added small details that made a big difference. Delicate opera glasses illustrated the lush upper class, and the motif of pink and purple flowers created a sense of visual continuity.
The journey to luxury is not easy. As illustrated in Loveland High School's "My Fair Lady ," it requires belief in others, but more importantly, belief in oneself.
Sam Jamison
Randall K. Cooper High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 7
Distinct dialects, prudish professors, and drunk dads. That might sound like a bizarre scene, but for the cast and crew of Loveland High School, it's just an average day in 1912 London.
Written by Alan Jay Lerner and featuring music by Frederick Loewe, "My Fair Lady" takes place in 1912 London, England. The story follows a young girl, Eliza Doolittle, who never learned to speak proper English. Colonel Pickering and Henry Higgins decide to take her in and teach her how to speak and act properly. on Eliza's journey, she finds friendship, conflict, and even love as she tries to become a proper woman.
A typical matinee performance is seen as a slower show considering its crowd, but the performers of Loveland High School did not let that stereotype get the best of them, seeing as they appeared on stage with great energy and spirit. Songs like, "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" and "Get Me to the Church On Time" were performed with glee and elation that lifted the general dramatic mood of the show. "My Fair Lady" is typically a longer show, but it was never dull. Every scene was engaging and amusing as a result of the cast's and crews' dedication to the run.
The leading actors in this performance handled the complex emotions of their characters with ease, bringing the fictional characters Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins to life. Anna Colletto, who played Eliza, spoke many dialects throughout her performance as well as portraying the complications thrown at her character. This,in turn, showed Colletto's diverse acting abilities. Beside Colletto was Aiden Hubbard who portrayed Henry Higgins. Hubbard moved scenes forward with his strong characterization, not letting any blunders made by others affect his performance.
Just as important as the leading actors, the supporting cast of "My Fair Lady" executed memorable performances with aplomb. Claire Yoder who portrayed Mrs. Pearce, the witty housekeeper for Henry Higgins, kept the show's energy up with her comedic timing, sometimes using only a facial expression to break the tension during a dramatic scene. Calloway Hefner also added a softer side to the sometimes tense show with his serene vocals in songs like, "On the Street Where You Live," where he expressed his love for Eliza. Notably, the ensemble established the time and setting through their constant in-the-moment acting and never-ending expressions. Together, the whole cast added to what was an exceptional show.
Aiding the creation of the setting, the props crew, led by Jordan Lawrence, and the set construction team built realistic-looking pieces that were a true visualization of 1912 London. Road lamps and street fires that actually lit up added to the affect. With a stage crew of only six, all scene changes were prompt and kept the same velocity as the show. As the script is written for roughly three hours, the stage crew didn't prolong the performance. In fact, they worked at a speed that seemed almost impossible. Loveland High School's crew worked hard to take this performance to the level it was, and their hard work paid off.
The hard work of Loveland High School's cast and crew paid off in their favor, allowing for a well-executed classic such as "My Fair Lady."
Isabelle Armour
Cincinnati Christian High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 8
Loveland High School performed ""My Fair Lady with grace and precision. Taking place in London in the early 1900's , it is a story of witty banter, love ballads, and social class differences.
The musical is loosely based up George Bernard Shaw's play, "Pygmalion " and tells the story of a young Cockney flower girl who learns that she can rise above her social status with pronunciation lessons and etiquette lectures from Professor Henry Higgins . However, Henry Higgins does not see Eliza as a woman, or even as a human, only as a pawn to prove his superior skills as an educated scholar. He agrees to educate Eliza Doolittle on the basis of a bet with Colonel Pickering . However, the experiment is put to a stop when Eliza Doolittle realizes her potential and demands both kindness and respect from Higgins .
A standout performance was given by Anna Colletto who glowed as Eliza Doolittle . Colletto sang Eliza's solos beautifully, adding her own acting chops to the rambunctious Cockney flower girl. Colletto captured the comedic aspects of Eliza Doolittle's role splendidly, giving her role a feeling of feistiness. Another standout performance was by Aiden McCracken as Alfred P. Doolittle , Eliza's father. McCracken seized Alfie's goofy personality, as well as his drunken nature, exceptionally well.
Along with the evenly, and beautifully, portrayed technical elements, the set's digital backdrops captured the very essence of "My Fair Lady ." In addition, the costumes were spectacular, seizing the 1900 London vibe. The Orchestra also played the famous Lerner and Loewe's musical compositions wonderfully, doing an incredible justice to one of the Broadway theatre's greatest musicals.
"My Fair Lady" is a show in which everyone already knows the outcome. However, Loveland High School brought a new light to the well-known story and an awareness to the incorrect behavior shown to various social classes. It is a story that can, and that will be, told for years to come, on and off the stage.
Emilee Taylor
Colerain High School
Submitted for publication to Newspaper 9
It only takes an accent to turn a poor flower girl into a princess according to the story of "My Fair Lady."
Loveland High School's production of "My Fair Lady" was plenty more than just fair. It was quite exceptional! The musical is based on the greek myth of "Pygmalion ." This myth features a man who is a sculpture, putting all of his energy into a sculpture of a woman, so much so he falls in love with it. The sculpture then comes to life. This idea of treating something how you wish it to become is one of the main ideas of "My Fair Lady ."
This musical is a wonderful story of Eliza Doolittle, a lower class girl selling flowers on the streets of 1913 London. She makes her way up the social ladder once she meets Professor Henry Higgings, a phonetics expert. He takes this girl speaking broken English off the streets and makes her speak with such elegance she can pass as a princess.
Loveland created a wonderful atmosphere of early 1900's London. Every aspect was intriguing. The simplistic set made transitions quick and seamless. This also allowed for the actors to shine. The lead actress, Anna Colletto, played Eliza. She filled the stage with her beautiful voice and impressive accents. For this role, she had to excel in two distinctly different accents which Colletto did flawlessly. Her character was taught to speak properly by Henry Higgins, played by Aiden Hubbard. His accent was just as impressive as Eliza's. His performance was stellar. The way these two interacted to create such tension and drama was truly phenomenal. The constant bickering and sass made the characters come to life.
The leads weren't the only stars of the show. Freddy Eynsford-Hill, played by Calloway Hefner, sparkled on stage. His presence and vocal skills made for a spectacular show. He was absolutely loveable in his number of "Show Me" where he sings of his interest in Eliza. Another fine performance was from Aidan McCracken who played Alfred P. Doolittle, the father of Eliza. McCracken's take on a drunken father of a flower girl was outstanding. He held his accent throughout the show, even with his spunky dance moves. The whole ensemble also performed well. Vocals were nothing less than amazing and kept up with great energy through the entire show.
The technical aspects of this show were flawless. It seemed like every aspect was thoughtfully planned around the others. The choreography and costumes played well together with strategic flowing and twirling of dresses and drapery. The set interacted well with the projections for the background. Props also were well-placed and very purposeful. The lighting crew, led by Matthew Rychlik and Kathryn Taylor, was dazzling. It can be difficult to evenly light an actor on stage with the projections behind them. The whole lighting crew did a great job properly lighting the stage without making the projections look washed out.
Overall, Loveland did a "loverly" job with their production "My Fair Lady." This musical exceeded all expectations of high school theater, and the cast and crew should be extremely proud of all their hard work.