My Fair Lady, a musical by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. Avery Fischer Hall At Lincoln Center; Rob Fisher conducting the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. With Kelli O'Hara, Kelsey Grammer, Brian Dennehy and Charles Kimbrough.
Readers of the Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test are urged to run and obtain any tickets remaining for the precious few performances of this weekend of this historic all-star revival. Not since the original smash Broadway production of 1956 has "My Fair Lady" received a performance of this caliber. I've seen the New York revival (starring Richard Chamberlain and Melissa Errico) and the wildly successful National Theatre performances in London (with both casts) and they were not even close to what has been accomplished here. First of all, the score is played probably as it never has been by the incomparable New York Philharmonic Orchestra. This is a complex operetta score and hearing it played on this level is a revelation. In the title role, Kelli O'Hara sings this very difficult vocal role as well as the legendary Julie Andrews and her acting is equally fine. After what O'Hara accomplished in "Pajama Game," she now takes a role that is completely different stylistically and vocally and nails it. The audience went wild for her as they did for the amazing star turn of Brian Dennehy as Alfred P. Doolittle. Kelsey Grammer is a delight as Henry Higgins as is Charles Kimbrough as Colonel Pickering. All star casting includes Marni Nixon and Meg Bussert in small roles and they are both wonderful. The conducting by Rob Fisher confirms his place as perhaps the finest Broadway conductor of our time and the staging (not an easy task in this cumbersome venue) by Peggy Hickey and David Ives is inspired. Pure champaigne delight - this is a must see! Our Broadway Bridge and Tunnel Test grade for "My Fair Lady" is A+