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by LIZ BEAVERS
Tribune Managing Editor
KEYSER — Auditions will be held in less than two weeks for one of the most popular musicals of all time - “My Fair Lady.”
Potomac State College will present the Tony Award winning musical – which tells the classic story of Prof. Henry Higgins' misguided efforts to turn cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a lady – in March 2011.
Dr. John Hawkins will once again produce the musical, as well as serving as musical director, Tom Valentine will direct, and Kimberli Rowley is the choreographer.
“My Fair Lady,” based on George Bernard Shaw's “Pygmalion,” was adapted by Alan Jay Lerner and features music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Lerner. Some of the more popular numbers are “Wouldn't It be Loverly?” “The Rain in Spain,” “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “On the Street Where You Live,” and “Get Me to the Church on Time.”
The story takes place in old London, and was a smash hit when it premiered on Broadway in 1956, with Rex Harrison starring as Henry Higgins and Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle. The stage play won several Tonys, including Best Musical and Best Actor for Harrison, and experienced several revivals on Broadway.
“My Fair Lady” is perhaps best remembered by many, however, as the 1964 film musical starring Harrison as Higgins and Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle.
Among the main character parts to be cast for Potomac State's production are Higgins, the phonetics expert and self-absorbed upper class professional bachelor; Doolittle, the cockney flower girl eager to better her position in life; Col. Pickering, a retired British officer who offers to pay for Eliza's lessons if Higgins can turn her into a lady; Freddy, the upper crust young man who becomes completely smitten with Eliza; Alfred Doolittle, Eliza's hard-drinking father; and Harry and Jamie, Alfred's drinking companions.
Other characters include Mrs. Higgins, Henry's mother; Mrs. Eynsford-Hill, Freddy's mother; the bartender; Mrs. Pearce, Henry Higgins' housekeeper; the butler; and assorted other townspeople, household employees and servants, and guests.
Those wishing to audition should come prepared to dance, as they will be taught a two-minute dance combination.
Auditioners should also prepare a two-minute song which best showcases their voice. You may either bring your own accompaniment, a tape or CD, or a score for Dr. Hawkins to play on the piano.
Auditions are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 13, Tuesday, Sept. 14, and Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. each evening at the Church-McKee Arts Center.
Those wishing to audition need attend only one evening, but they are asked to arrive early so they have time to fill out the audition forms and meet with the directors and choreographer.
“My Fair Lady” will be presented March 10-20, 2011, in the Church-McKee Arts Center auditorium.
For more information, contact Hawkins at 304-788-6965 or JAHawkins@mail.wvu.edu, or Valentine at 301-729-3281.
by LIZ BEAVERS
Tribune Managing Editor
KEYSER — Auditions will be held in less than two weeks for one of the most popular musicals of all time - “My Fair Lady.”
Potomac State College will present the Tony Award winning musical – which tells the classic story of Prof. Henry Higgins' misguided efforts to turn cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a lady – in March 2011.
Dr. John Hawkins will once again produce the musical, as well as serving as musical director, Tom Valentine will direct, and Kimberli Rowley is the choreographer.
“My Fair Lady,” based on George Bernard Shaw's “Pygmalion,” was adapted by Alan Jay Lerner and features music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Lerner. Some of the more popular numbers are “Wouldn't It be Loverly?” “The Rain in Spain,” “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “On the Street Where You Live,” and “Get Me to the Church on Time.”
The story takes place in old London, and was a smash hit when it premiered on Broadway in 1956, with Rex Harrison starring as Henry Higgins and Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle. The stage play won several Tonys, including Best Musical and Best Actor for Harrison, and experienced several revivals on Broadway.
“My Fair Lady” is perhaps best remembered by many, however, as the 1964 film musical starring Harrison as Higgins and Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle.
Among the main character parts to be cast for Potomac State's production are Higgins, the phonetics expert and self-absorbed upper class professional bachelor; Doolittle, the cockney flower girl eager to better her position in life; Col. Pickering, a retired British officer who offers to pay for Eliza's lessons if Higgins can turn her into a lady; Freddy, the upper crust young man who becomes completely smitten with Eliza; Alfred Doolittle, Eliza's hard-drinking father; and Harry and Jamie, Alfred's drinking companions.
Other characters include Mrs. Higgins, Henry's mother; Mrs. Eynsford-Hill, Freddy's mother; the bartender; Mrs. Pearce, Henry Higgins' housekeeper; the butler; and assorted other townspeople, household employees and servants, and guests.
Those wishing to audition should come prepared to dance, as they will be taught a two-minute dance combination.
Auditioners should also prepare a two-minute song which best showcases their voice. You may either bring your own accompaniment, a tape or CD, or a score for Dr. Hawkins to play on the piano.
Auditions are scheduled for Monday, Sept. 13, Tuesday, Sept. 14, and Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. each evening at the Church-McKee Arts Center.
Those wishing to audition need attend only one evening, but they are asked to arrive early so they have time to fill out the audition forms and meet with the directors and choreographer.
“My Fair Lady” will be presented March 10-20, 2011, in the Church-McKee Arts Center auditorium.
For more information, contact Hawkins at 304-788-6965 or JAHawkins@mail.wvu.edu, or Valentine at 301-729-3281.
