Theater Review: 'Lerner & Loewe's My Fair Lady' by Amity Creative Theater

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Naugatuck Patch neighbor Nancy Sasso Janis

The Amity Creative Theater is presenting a “loverly” production of “My Fair Lady” as their spring musical.

The timeless musical “Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady” features a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and the beautiful music of Frederick Loewe. The story is adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s film “Pygmalion.” The original musical was directed by Moss Hart.

The Amity students are directed by the team of Robert and Andrea Kennedy, with outstanding choreography by Mrs. Kennedy. The guys get to shine as they dance in “With a Little Bit of Luck” and “Get Me to the Church on Time,” and the girls move beautifully in all of the ensemble dance numbers. Marcia Rizzotti is the musical director.

Mr. Kennedy writes that this story “reminds us that language, compassion, and human connection have the power to transform lives…not simply a story about refinement or social class, but about growth, dignity, and the courage to become who we are meant to be.”

Anna Edwards rises to all of the demands of the role of Eliza, with a lovely singing voice, a strong stage presence and an ear for the Cockney accent.

Tommy Francese plays the role of the thoughtless Professor Henry Higgins and hits all of the correct notes in his performance. Liam van Tonder, a senior from Woodbridge who is an Eagle Scout, takes on the role of Higgins sidekick Colonel Hugh Pickering.

David Tobin nearly steals the show in the role of Eliza’s father Alfred P. Doolittle, a dustman. Tobin makes it impossible not to be charmed by this character, with comedic accents and fluid dance moves. Tobin is a junior from Bethany and played Scuttle in “The Little Mermaid.”

Brayden Zhang, whom I have had the pleasure of watching grow up on the Amity stage and is now somehow a senior, is charming in the role of the smitten Freddy Eynsford Hill (“On the Street Where You Live.”) Zhang, who lives in Woodbridge, works part-time at Beecher Road School and sings with the Amity Honors Choir.

Vivian Smith, a junior from New Haven who attends both Amity and ECA, is strong in the role of Higgin’s housekeeper Mrs. Pearce and Amity senior Leyre Lopez-Perez makes the most of the supporting role of Mrs. Higgins, with a knowing eye that helps her to appear old enough to be Henry’s mother.

Ethan Enos steps up to play Professor Zoltan Karpathy for “The Embassy Waltz” that closes the first act. Ensemble member Grace Millard, a junior, is Freddy’s mother at Ascot. Ethan Nitcowski, a junior from Orange, plays Harry, freshman Andrew Mardecai plays Charles, and freshman John Mills covers the role of Jamie. Ensemble members step up to play bystanders, Cockneys that go drinking with Alfred, Maids, Lords and Ladies. Rosemary Wilkinson, a sophomore from Woodbridge, is the well-dressed Queen of Transylvania and Alex Chimid, who has appeared at Center Stage in Shelton, plays a flower seller. Junior Juliet Laghi plays Mrs. Hopkins.

Tiari Young, a junior from Woodbridge, has the important role of stage manager. Clare Collins works as the associate choreographer and pianist Michael Baker, a junior from Orange, is credited as the assistant musical director. As per usual, the Amity orchestra conducted by Phil Dolan and composed almost entirely of Amity students, makes the musical score sound magnificent. They are two dozen strong and include five violins.

Mr. Kennedy does double duty as producer and technical director, with Amity senior Vivianna Pfannenbecker as student producer. Special assistants to the directors included Emily Rippel and the Kennedy’s talented son Ryan Kennedy. Dan Hassenmayer returns as lighting designer, which I felt included too much warm light which changed the white parts of the costumes to yellow. Otherwise, the lighting set many scenes well. The sound design by Tom “Ivan” Ivanovich Horizon Sound worked well, although the performance began far too loud for my ears.

The massive scenic design is the work of Ryan M. Howell, a two-level set lined with rows of Higgin’s books that backs moved-in pieces to change the location. The set was constructed by an army of volunteers, with Laura Adair as charge artist.

Julie Chevan once again worked as the costume designer. Some of the spectacular costumes were provided by Costume World Theatrical in Florida and every piece reflects the time period with stunning oversized millinery atop beautiful gowns and smart formal wear for the gentlemen. I was especially impressed with the finery worn by Henry’s mother. Mrs. Kennedy was in charge of the wig and makeup design, and Ann Roselle and Sarah Winter worked together on the period props.

Mr. Kennedy offers a tribute to long-time costume designer Julie Chevan, who is retiring after a three-decade career of teaching at Amity. Kennedy worked with her on more than 40 productions. Over the years, she has “worked with hundreds upon hundreds of students, mentoring them with patience, humor, and unwavering dedication.”

It was wonderful to hear that the Superintendent of Schools, the Amity High School principal, and Brad Blake were in the audience at the performance that I was invited to attend, along with my guest (and former cast mate) Benjamin Greenberg. “My Fair Lady” is one of my friend’s all-time favorite musicals, and Freddy his dream role in the show.

You will grow accustomed to her face when you catch one of the remaining performances. “My Fair Lady High School Version” is presented with one 15-minute intermission and runs almost three hours. Great Seats Available for Thurs 3/26 & Fri 3/27 Use Code "stu2026" for 10$ off. There is another performance on March 28, all at 7:30pm amitytheaterdepartment.com/events