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Back stage at "My Fair Lady"

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Contributed by: YourHub.com on 10/24/2007

By Margaret Nesbit

The stage director, Peter Crane, marches into the auditorium.

He yells, "Listen up y'all. We're starting with the Ascot scene and we will go through to the end."

There are some groans. Perhaps some have not learned all their lines. Others confer with their friends and turn pages of the script.

Another yell: "OK we're ready to go"

This is the usual start of a rehearsal for a stage show. The auditions have been held and the roles cast, and now comes the hard work. Most of the cast have day jobs, and rush a meal to sustain about four hours of reharsals. They are given a short time to learn their lines, get fittings for their costumes and assume the character which they are portraying.

The show is "My Fair Lady," a veritable musical candy box of pleasure. Adapted from "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw, the very singable tunes are audience pleasers.

Claire, the leading lady, rehearses her Cockney accent and then counters it with the proper accent Professor Higgins has taught her. Playing Eliza is a strenuous part, but she is up to it.

Gary Best plays Professor Higgins. He is well known to Ventura County audiences, and never fails to put on a good performance.

Strutting around the stage is Eliza's father, Mr. Doolittle. He is played by Hux Reid. He wears a character hat and is running scales so that he can perfect his solos. He is in his eighties and has a day job as a fitness trainer. He is never late at rehearsal and knows his lines perfectly, and he never complains that he is tired.

Another eighty year old is Ron Rowe who plays Pinkerton. Originally from England, he has the perfect accent for the part, and shows a little of the time his character has spent in India.

Eleanor Brand is another local favorite and plays the role of Mrs. Pearce, the housekeeper. You may be sure even if the walls fall down around her, she will carry on with her part. She is dependable and directors know it.

As if being in charge of costumes isn't enough, Mary Crane has the part of Mrs.Higgins, the Professor's sensible mum.

It is impossible to mention all the people who play a critical role in the production The set is being constructed, costumes fitted, and scenes rehearsed. It doesn't always run like a well oiled machine but it will. The curtain will go up Nov. 2 and everyone and everything will be prepared.

My Fair Lady runs at the Oceanview Pavilion from Nov. 2 - 25. Reservations can be made by calling 986-4818 .

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