FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 5, 2003
Contact: Christa Skiles
Public Relations Director
513-345-2242, ext. 232

CINCINNATI PLAYHOUSE IN THE PARK OPENS ITS 2003-2004 SEASON WITH A "LOVERLY" NEW PRODUCTION OF THE CLASSIC MUSICAL
MY FAIR LADY, SEPTEMBER 2-OCTOBER 3

(CINCINNATI) — The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park will open its 2003-2004 Marx Theatre season with a revelatory new production of one of the world’s most cherished musicals, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s My Fair Lady. Public previews for the show begin September 2, and My Fair Lady continues through October 3.

Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabrial Pascal’s motion picture Pygmalion, My Fair Lady tells the story of a distinguished phonetics professor who bets a colleague that he can turn a common flower girl into a proper lady in just six months time simply by transforming the way that she speaks. But Henry Higgins meets more than his match in the high-spirited Eliza Doolittle. Ultimately he, too, finds himself changed forever by their relationship.

In this Playhouse production, the classic musical makes a return to these dramatic roots. Featuring composer Frederick Loewe’s rarely heard two-piano arrangement of the score, My Fair Lady retains all of the songs that have made it a favorite among generations of musical theatre fans — including “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?,” “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “The Rain in Spain” and “Get Me to the Church on Time” — while it brings a heightened focus to Shaw’s charming story. The effect is that this bold re-invention is simultaneously brand new and yet wonderfully familiar.

My Fair Lady premiered on Broadway in 1956 (starring Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews in its leading roles) and quickly earned its place in history as an acclaimed hit, winning several Tony Awards, including Best Actor, Best Director and Best Musical. It ran for nine years and subsequently toured the country several times. The show was immortalized with a motion picture adaptation in 1964, this time starring Audrey Hepburn in the title role and Rex Harrison reprising his stage performance. The movie also was highly rewarded, earning the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The cast for My Fair Lady includes Tony nominated actress Crista Moore as Eliza Doolittle. Ms. Moore appeared on Broadway as Susan in the original company of Big and as Louise/Gypsy Rose Lee in the Tyne Daly revival of Gypsy. Her other Broadway and national touring credits include 110 In The Shade, Cinderella, Wonderful Town and Crazy for You. She appeared at the Playhouse in the 1993 production of Harvey as Nurse Kelly.

Neal Benari will play the role of Professor Higgins. His Broadway credits include Aida, Victor/Victoria, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Chess. Mr. Benari is making his Playhouse debut.

Other members of the cast include Mark Aldrich (Busker/Hoxton Man/Jamie/Vendor), Keith Howard (Busker/George/Angry Man/Vendor), Howard Kaye (Busker/Selsey Man/Harry/Vendor), Russell Leib (Colonel Pickering), Alan Souza (Freddy Eynsford-Hill), Rebecca Spencer (Mrs. Eynsford-Hill/Angry Woman/Servant/Lady Tarrington/Mrs. Higgins’ Maid), Linda Stephens (Mrs. Higgins/Mrs. Pearce) and Peter Van Wagner (Alfred P. Doolittle).

The show will be directed by Susan V. Booth, artistic director of the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta. The music director/pianist is Steven Gross and the choreographer is Daniel Pelzig. Other members of the production team include Michael Philippi (Set Designer), Linda Roethke (Costume Designer), Dawn Chiang (Lighting Designer), Henry Palkes (Pianist) and Rocco Dal Vera (Dialect Coach). Bruce E. Coyle is the production stage manager and Jenifer Morrow is the stage manager.

Prices for My Fair Lady range from $36.50-$48.50, depending on day and seat location. All tickets are $33.50 for the preview performance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 3. The official opening night is Thursday, September 4 at 8:00 p.m. Any unreserved tickets are half-price every day when purchased at the Playhouse between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the day of the show (for performances Tuesday through Saturday) and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

The Playhouse is fully accessible. Audio enhancement receivers, large print programs and complete wheelchair access are available.

Tickets to My Fair Lady are on sale now to subscribers to the Playhouse’s 2003-2004 season. Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning August 22. For more information, call the Playhouse box office at 513/421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at 800/582-3208. Call 513/345-2248 for TDD accessibility. For single tickets purchased by telephone through the Playhouse box office, there is a $2 convenience fee per call. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com.

Artists fly to and from Cincinnati on Delta Connection COMAIR, the Playhouse’s official airline.

The Playhouse is supported, in part, by the generosity of the tens of thousands of individuals and businesses that give to the Fine Arts Fund.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Playhouse with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

The Playhouse also receives funding from the City of Cincinnati.

Meet the Artists
These free programs allow audiences to interact with cast members and others associated with the production following the show.

2 p.m. Sunday, September 7
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 10
2 p.m. Sunday, September 21
8 p.m. Thursday, September 25

Audio Described Performance
5 p.m. Saturday, September 6

Signed Performance
2 p.m. Sunday, September 7

Playhouse Perspectives
A free, pre-show lecture series featuring theatre artists and experts. Funding provided by Roderick and Barbara Barr.
6 p.m. Sunday, September 14

Dining Options

Karlo's Bistro at the Playhouse offers full-service dining prior to most evening performances. Dinners include salad, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance. The price is $21, which does not include gratuity. Karlo's Casual Fare offers busy theatre patrons an alternative light, quick bite prior to the show. Options include salads, sandwiches, soups, pasta and desserts. No reservations are required.

Sponsors

Production Sponsor:
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation

Production Design Sponsor:
Skidmore Sales & Distributing Co.

Fine Arts Fund Partner:
The Procter & Gamble Co.

The 2003-2004 Marx Theatre Series is presented by
The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation.

The Marx Season Design Sponsor is
The Cinergy Foundation.

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