Dean Poling | The Valdosta Daily TimesAlfie Doolittle (Joe Mason) and his drinking buddies (Steven Bidwell, Aaron Moore) sing 'With a Little Bit of Luck' in the Peach State Summer Theatre production of 'My Fair Lady.' 

PLAY REVIEW

VALDOSTA – “My Fair Lady” demonstrates the versatility of the Peach State Summer Theatre season.

“Shrek the Musical” is a brash, rollicking show aimed at modern audiences.

“Forever Plaid” is a small, intimate show built on 1950s pop classics, humor and heart.

“My Fair Lady” is the colorful nod to classic Broadway. A larger-than-life production alive and well on the Sawyer Theatre stage, an array of Britishness deep in South Georgia.

Randy Wheeler again demonstrates his mastery of the large and complex musical. He invests the show with insights into the various social strata of 1912 England. The show easily moves from the streets and pubs to the society occasions of the British upperclass. 

The familiar story of a snooty professor’s challenge of transforming a bold Cockney flower girl into a society lady feels fresh in Wheeler’s hands. “My Fair Lady” is a long musical but the pacing never falters. Wheeler keeps the action, humor, romance and songs moving.

He is ably assisted by his wife, Jacque Wheeler, PSST! artistic director, who is the choreographer for “My Fair Lady.” The dances equally demonstrate the societal differences that are the backbone of the musical.

As do Esther Iverson’s costume designs. She keeps with traditional expectations from the flower girl appearance of Eliza Doolittle to the tweeds of Professor Henry Higgins. The costumes are appropriately street shabby all the way to dazzling elegance.

Ruth A. Brandvik’s scenic design captures the differences, too. Her triumph is the Higgins’ study/library where Eliza’s transformation occurs. It is a magnificent design which any book collector would envy.

Genny Wynn-Muncy’s lighting is subtle. She captures the sunny afternoon of a horse race, the glow of a night by street lamp, the interior lighting of a library.

Jason Lee Courson’s opening projection designs give the start of the live production a cinematic feel.

Behind the scenes, David Springfield leads a live orchestra performing the famed music of Frederick Lowe while the on-stage performers sing and speak the words of Alan Jay Lerner. The orchestration is so well done that many audience members do not realize a live orchestra is performing note for note behind the sets. 

The on-stage performances are supported by an ensemble cast that deftly moves from playing street characters to upper-crust elites in larger production numbers.

Mary Helen Watson, a Theatre Guild Valdosta regular, gives a fine performance as Henry Higgins’ mother. 

Fun to watch Alexander Mendoza, who plays the title role in Shrek, lose the green makeup to play Freddy, the swell enamored with Eliza.

Neal Mayer is a joy as a Col. Pickering, Higgins’ friend and colleague in the transformation of Eliza.

Joe Mason comes close to stealing the show as Alfred P. Doolittle, Eliza’s carefree, bar-hopping, street-savvy father. Mason is also the vocal director for the show. As Alfred, he plays the role with glee and gusto. He makes Alfred’s arguments for living life “with a little bit of luck” convincing. The play is energized every time Mason steps foot on the stage.

Olin Davidson and Megan Wheeler find the balance of contention and begrudging attraction as Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. They build upon the stage chemistry first evident a few years ago as Bert the chimneysweep and Mary Poppins in the PSST! production of “Mary Poppins.”

Davidson’s Higgins is appropriately snooty and irascible, snobbish and priggish. The character has a touch of the impossible genius Sheldon of the television show “Big Bang Theory,” which should make him more relatable to modern audiences. Davidson’s Higgins is not someone most people would want to live or work with but he’s a treat to watch deal with others. Davidson makes the audiences happy that Higgins overcomes the character’s preconceived notions of himself.

Megan Wheeler captures the essence of Eliza. Not an easy feat. Eliza must morph from the raggedy flower girl to the refined lady. But she must do so while maintaining a bold resolve that is part of Eliza whether she is on the streets or at a royal ball. Freddy recognizes her spark immediately. Higgins eventually realizes it. Even when Eliza is uncertain what will become of her, Megan Wheeler always keeps the true flame of the character stoked.

“My Fair Lady” is a fine culmination of a grand PSST! season.

The review is based on the Saturday, June 24, matinee performance.

PSST!’s “My Fair Lady” continues 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 29; 2 p.m. Saturday, July 1, and throughout mid-July, in rotating repertory with “Shrek” and “Forever Plaid,” Sawyer Theatre, Valdosta State University Fine Arts Building, corner of Oak and Brookwood. Reservations, more information: Visit valdosta.edu/psst or call (229) 259-7770.