'My Fair Lady' Set to Hit the Central Stage

From reality shows for dance and singing competitions to dramas about high school glee clubs, it seems young artists are being portrayed–exploited?–unfairly today. 

But where did it all begin? On the local stage, of course. And where else to find the most raw, uninhibited talent available? 

That’s right: In the high school musical. 

Some 60 students at will perform in “My Fair Lady” March 15 through 17, with 7 p.m. performances Thursday and Friday and a 2 p.m. performance on Saturday. 

In addition to the 60 cast members, about 20 additional students make up the stage crew, and a 23-student orchestra will provide music for the play, according to co-producer Linda Quinn. 

All four grades are being represented in the play, Quinn said.

First-year Central English teacher Jeff Hogan is the play’s director, and has been rehearsing with the students since they returned from winter break at the beginning of January.

“The cast is very talented, very dedicated,” Hogan said. “This isn’t a high school show. (My Fair Lady) is an epic for a reason, and these kids are living up to it.” 

After-school rehearsal has taken place each day from 3 to 5 p.m., but as the curtain rise draws near, practice has been extended to 5:30, even 6 p.m., and on Saturday, March 10, participants will be working throughout the day to perfect the two-act musical.

“Keep your energy up!” Hogan said to the cast at a recent rehearsal. “Have fun up here. If you’re not having fun up here, they’re not having fun out there. You have to remember there’s always one person (in the audience) watching you, so don’t drop your character.”

Hogan, who received his master’s degree in theatre from Drew University, has participated in and directed musicals in the past, but not while teaching simultaneously.

“I’m pretty well-versed in (theatre),” Hogan said. “But I’d say this is the biggest effort so far, since it’s been coupled with full-time teaching. I guess I could say I’m married to my profession right now.” 

Hogan said the golden age show was a bit different than what he was used to, having directed more contemporary plays in the past.

The leads in the musical are Stephanie Turci as Eliza Doolittle; Ben Thompson as Professor Henry Higgins; Edwin Zhang as Alfred Doolittle; and Ben Paulussen as Colonel Pickering.

Parents of students spent numerous weekends constructing the set, Quinn said, in addition to helping make portions of costumes. Full costumes have been rented from Scaramouche in Chester.

So, starting March 17, the best show in town won’t be on television. It’ll be in the West Morris Central auditorium.