Review: ‘My Fair Lady’ at Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre

It was a thing of beauty seeing the exquisite Shereen Ahmed walk onstage at The Dolby Theatre dressed as the flower peddling Eliza Doolittle. Even before others joined her onstage, the masked audience joyfully applauded. This was Opening Night for the first live Broadway in Hollywood show inside the Dolby Theatre. 

The critically acclaimed North American tour of Lincoln Center Theatre’s production of Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY was the winner of 5 Outer Critics Circle Awards including Best Revival of Musical. It was nominated for 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival, and 5 Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical Revival.

The production premiered in the spring of 2018, and ended in July, 2019 after playing 548 performances. 

The three hour show with one intermission takes place in London in 1912. Directed by Tony and Drama Desk award winner Bartlett Sher, his Eliza is bold, brave and a smart young woman. 

In the Playbill, I learned that Ahmed is one of ’40 Under 40’ accomplished Arab Americans in the U.S. Her comic timing is perfect when she howls, and often says, “I’m a good girl, I am.” Her angelic singing voice is more soothing to the ears, than when she enunciates in her working-class cockney brogue. 

Once Professor Higgins (Laird Mackintosh) lays eyes on her and hears the first words come out of her mouth, he declares “she has a thing for the cold bloody murder of the English tongue.”

Dreaming of a better life while singing “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” she wishes for a room somewhere, far away from the cold night air…with lot’s of chocolates.” Her wish comes true as erudite master of language Professor Higgins and his friend Colonel Pickering (Kevin Pariseau) place a bet to transform Eliza to one day be passed off as a duchess or the “Queen of Sheba.” 

At times Eliza reminded me a little bit of Lucy Ricardo from the television classic “I Love Lucy”. Especially during the “Ascot Gavote” opening day scene at the races. We see Eliza’s feistiness come out when she throws slippers in frustration and talks back to this heartless Higgins.

Henry Higgins is the utmost selfish, egotistical, narcissistic, self-centered, egocentric bachelor. Women in the audience shudder and gasp when he throws out cruel and insulting words at Eliza. She is trying the best she can, but it is never good enough for him, until she shines with “The Rain in Spain” and makes her society debut during “The Embassy Waltz.” 

Another singing standout in this musical is Freddy, performed by Sam Simahk. His voice is golden as he sings “On the Street Where You Live” while infatuated with Eliza’s beauty and her free spirit. Whenever Simahk stepped onstage, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him.

Costumes by Catherine Zuber are exquisite from the beginning to the end of the show. Eliza dazzles the audience, when she walks onstage dressed for the Embassy Waltz.

Choreographer Christopher Gattelli’s broom and wooden boxes scene was very creative and entertaining. We also enjoyed the tavern scene with Harry (Patrick Kerr), Jamie (William Michals) and Alfred P. Doolittle (Adam Grupper) singing “With a Little Bit of Luck” and later in “Get Me to the Church in Times.” Grupper as Eliza’s down and out father really enjoys this role and is very entertaining to watch.

Set designer Michael Yeargan enhances the movement of the show with a theater turntable, cleverly allowing the cast to maneuver through different rooms inside Professor Higgins two story home.

This Lerner & Loewe musical will have you singing in your mask while in your seat, but the ending won’t leave you satisfied.

MY FAIR LADY performs Tuesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.There is no evening performance on Sunday, October 31. Tickets start at $30, and are available for purchase online at www.BroadwayInHollywood.com or www.Ticketmaster.com. Tickets may also be purchased by phone at 800-982-2782 or at the Dolby Theatre Box office located at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard. For added convenience, tickets may also be purchased at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre box office located at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard. For current box office hours, visit www.BroadwayInHollywood.com. Lerner & Loewe’s MY FAIR LADY is recommended for ages 12 and up. All patrons must have a ticket, regardless of age.

Broadway in Hollywood’s COVID-19 policy requires ticket holders to wear masks and to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This vaccination policy is in effect for performances now through January 2, 2022, and will be re-assessed on an ongoing basis.

The tour will also play in Costa Mesa at Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts from January 11 – 23, 2021. 600 Town Center Drive | Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Tuesday - Friday at 7:30pm Saturday at 2pm & 7:30pm Sunday at 1pm & 6:30 p.m. Individual tickets start at $28.