PYGMALION

When I told people the name of the play I was seeing at the Pasadena Playhouse, they all asked basically, “What’s that?” So, let me tell the nescients among you right up front–it’s My Fair Lady, minus the great tunes!

I didn’t know if I’d be very interested in seeing this tale, (that I know by heart,) without the music, but I’m glad I gave it a whirl. It was wonderful to see how closely the storyline of the musical adhered to the original script. I’d venture to guess that many in the opening night audience had not seen this play before, either, and they all seemed equally delighted as I. Pygmalion is such a classic that all Angelenos must see it.

I was more than familiar with the story, having seen My Fair Lady (between the movie and live productions of it) at least a couple of dozen times! The shocking thing to me is that I’ve never seen this play upon which it’s based! I did once view about five minutes of the 1938 Wendy Hiller-Leslie Howard film, but I missed the music too much, so I gave up.

A bigger shock is that Pygmalion was written over one hundred years ago! The language and causes are so relevant today. I’m only assuming that this production stuck to playwright George Bernard Shaw’s words, (or another of his later versions of the ending, which he re-wrote a couple of times, for various reasons,) yet there was something so modern about it.

This production of Pygmalion, directed by Jessica Kubzansky, is worth the viewing. Most everything about it has merit. I absolutely loved the Stephanie Kerly Schwartz-designed sets! It was even fascinating to watch them being changed from scene to scene, partially by the extra members of the ensemble, cleverly dressed as household staff.

The costumes, by Leah Piehl, are excellent, as well. The green gown that Eliza wears in a pivotal scene with Henry Higgins looks like some I just saw at Fashion Week! [Note: As I proofread this review, I realized that all three of these people whose work I just admired are female. I’m glad of it because girl power sooo goes along with the theme of the play!)

As for the acting, everyone performed his or her role well enough, some more than others.  I met actor Stan Egi at the party, and he was adorable, but he was all wrong for the important role of Colonel Pickering, (including looking much too young,) and way out of his league in this company.

On the other hand, Mary Anne McGarry, as Henry’s classy mother, was perfection. Her voice, movement, timing, and delivery were all spot-on. She made every line count, and every hand gesture mean something. That woman is a pro, and I’m grateful to the Pasadena Playhouse for bringing her to my attention. I’ll keep an eye out for her in the future because there’s something comforting about her acting.

The show speaks for itself, and as I just stated, I have no quarrel with most of the performances. I did have a couple of little problems with the two main characters in the very last scene that was the final dialogue between just Henry and Eliza. It went on way too long. I’m sure that’s how it was written, but it was enough already.

And I wasn’t even really rooting for them to wind-up together because I never felt any chemistry between the pair. I don’t know if the actors were directed to play it that way, or just these two didn’t have it, but that was a tiny drop disappointing. Also, now that Eliza had become a genteel women, the actress portraying her, Paige Lindsey White, spoke way too low. I’m sure that volume fit the character, but I doubt that anybody in the back could make-out much of what she was saying.

The only part of the staging that I didn’t understand was that the second scene, which was pretty long and contained most of the action of the first act, had some weird smoke permeating it the entire time. It was very distracting. I thought it was maybe to depict “foggy old London,” while my friend thought that it was perhaps to give the play an all old-timey look. Someone else wondered if it had just been an opening night snafu. If the last idea was indeed the case, I’m relieved that you’ll get to see the show in all its glory.

I’m sure that everyone in the world over ten knows the story of My Fair Lady, so they know the story of Pygmalion, which in turn is based on a Greek mythological character. (If you’re one of the few who isn’t familiar with it, just look it up. After all, if you’re reading this, you’re already on-line!) But you may not know that, although neither the play nor the musical has an exact ending, the ones that are implied are different from one another.

When I was little, and saw My Fair Lady, my older sister, (who loved ruining things for me…and still does!,) told me the real ending wasn’t the seemingly happy one that the movie portrayed. Perhaps that’s why I never sought-out the straight play.

So, my advice is to go into Pygmalion not for the end result, but to enjoy the journey, as I did. And know that you’ll most likely be a bit disappointed by the ending. But, I swear—in this case, the ending doesn’t matter. Many of us in the opening night audience didn’t even know what it meant! Which makes it great post-curtain-discussion fodder. We all still left in an upbeat, if a tad confused, mood. And going on to the post-show reception kept the mirth going.

It’s always fun to attend an opening night party, under any circumstances, but it was especially so to celebrate a play that had just afforded us so much entertainment. I love Pasadena, and discovering new restaurants there is always of interest to me. I hadn’t been to Old Town in a long time, so I appreciated that the soirée was at a/k/a Bistro in a gorgeous shopping area. It’s from the same owners as Bistro 45, which I’ve been a fan of since I first started reviewing restaurants, so I knew it would be a good fete.

This space is perfect for a private party; there’s a big booth and table area, an attractive bar, and a patio overlooking a pretty courtyard; with the doors open, it all flowed. DJ William Reed kept the happening vibe going all night; I hated that I had to leave just as people began dancing. (But my broken back thanked me for that later!)

A variety of drinks were at the ready as we entered, including a signature vodka-strawberry cocktail that guests told me was very refreshing. The waiters brought around generous platters of all kinds of the eatery’s fare, including sliders with horseradish sauce, cups of vegetable risotto, deep-fried portobello mushrooms with truffle aioli, and my two favorites—macaroni and cheese in martini glasses, and mini open-faced pulled pork sandwiches. And on the way out, there were platters of biscotti and macaroons, to send us off even sweeter than when we came in.

To add to the merriment, there was a Party Creations photo booth in the back, with the most fun accessories I’ve seen at an event. To make it even more special, the print-out features the name of the show, along with its beautiful and creative Melissa Hughes-designed logo, which happens to be pink and blue, my perfect colors! For the first time in a long while, I didn’t even hate the ones of me, which made the night end on the most positive note ever. I felt just like the new and improved Eliza Doolittle!

Pygmalion running through April 12, 2015
Pasadena Playhouse 39 South El Molino Ave. Pasadena 626-356-7529 www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org