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| Phil Gallagher and Linae' C. Bullock |
Gender and class are issues that
permeate throughout much of today’s political discourse. Yet, in 1912 when
famed controversial Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw penned arguably his
most beloved work, Pygmalion, he saw
the play as a vehicle to shed light on those very topics, which took aim at the
mores of London society during the Edwardian era.
In a superb presentation at the
Spotlighters Theatre, Shaw’s views through Pygmalion
come to life with a potent drama laced with razor-sharp wit and humor. Spotlighters veteran director Sherrionne
Brown aided by Assistant Director Phil Gallagher who is also the Dialect Coach
and for good measure plays a leading role, helms a sterling iteration of the
play that is performed by a talented cast.
Pygmalion was the
inspiration for the Broadway classic musical and Oscar-winning film My Fair Lady. The play, of course, does
not contain the majestic score of Frederick Loewe or any score for that matter,
but some of the dialogue is recognizable to those familiar with the musical in
that it is incorporated in Alan Jay Lerner’s lyrics while the plot is very similar
in both versions.
Named after a Greek mythological
figure, Pygmalion fell in love with one of his sculptures which came to life.
That is the symbolic journey in the play whereby Henry Higgins, a professor of
phonetics takes in a poor London flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, with even poorer
speaking skills and mannerisms. She had initiated
the contact so that she can learn to improve her speech in order to better sell
flowers.
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| Linae' C. Bullock and Hillary Mazer |
Through the resolute efforts of
both he and his cohort, Colonel Pickering, a gentleman who also shares an
interest in phonetics, they gave her new clothes and took on the challenge of
improving Eliza’s speech and her mannerisms with the goal of transforming her
into a duchess worthy of the company of high society. Pickering bet that if
they can triumph, he would pay for all the expenses.
However, after this experiment
was successfully completed, Higgins showed no further interest in Eliza and
appeared ready to discard her without the slightest concern for her future. If
Higgins had a soft spot, it was well hidden. Eliza wondered wistfully what’s to become of
herself.
But in the play’s denouement,
Eliza finally stands up to the boorish professor and establishes her own independence—the
more significant transformation in the story—and in the process, gained the
respect of Higgins and perhaps winning his heart.
The aforementioned Phil
Gallagher is sterling as Henry Higgins, the play’s Pygmalion. Polished and accomplished, Mr. Gallagher
dominates the stage with a powerful resonance that would make the late Rex
Harrison applaud. Moreover, his facial expressions, body language, voice
inflections and purposeful movements around the stage are on target in portraying
this loutish character. Mr. Gallagher is
excellent in delivering the comical sarcasm and insults leveled at Eliza as
well as demonstrating his exasperation and frustration.
Equally strong is Linae' C.
Bullock who is first-rate as Eliza. She conveys the smart-mouth, shrieking “guttersnipe”
as Higgins labeled her and demonstrates the ability to carry off the conversion
to a potential duchess to a tee changing accents adroitly. Her passionate
stance to declare her self-worth and independence near the play’s conclusion is
a master stroke of acting on the part of Ms. Bullock.
Randy Dalmas does a fine job in
playing the more reasonable and compassionate Colonel Pickering. Where Higgins
berates and bullies Eliza, Pickering is more thoughtful and considerate to her
and is the personification of a gentleman. He is the perfect foil to Higgins,
and Mr. Dalmas pulls it off.
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| Phil Gallagher, Hillary Mazer and Randy Dalmas |
As Higgins’ housekeeper Mrs. Pearce,
Jennifer Grundy Hollett performs convincingly without going over the top. Seen
mostly during the first half of the five-act play, the character at times
consoles Eliza and on other occasions threatens her with delicious campiness.
Not intimidated by her boss Higgins, Ms. Hollett’s Pearce demonstrates her
independence and strength and chastises Higgins’ own foibles that include,
among other things, his frequent and ill-timed swearing and sloppy table
manners. It’s a fun-filled role and Ms. Hollett nails it.
Rich Espey plays the part of
Eliza’s eccentric father Alfred Doolittle, a former dustman who eventually
becomes wealthier. He’s a thinking man who “seems equally free from fear and
conscience.” It is through this character that Shaw seems to convey much of his
social criticism. The complex role is
played very well by Mr. Espey.
As Higgins’ upper class mother,
Hillary Mazer plays the part with relish.
Stately Mrs. Higgins, very independent and a stalwart of London’s
society, never bought into her son and Pickering’s experiment with Eliza and
doesn’t have much respect for Henry. Ms.
Mazer’s acting skills allow this disdain to come through effectively.
Rounding out the talented cast
are Melissa McGinley as Mrs. Eynsford-Hill, Carlo Olivi as Freddy Eynsford-Hill,
Caelyn Sommerville as Clara Eynsford-Hill, and Don Lampasone and Sarah Weissman
playing multiple roles.
The cozy in-the-round square-shaped
stage at the Spotlighters is perfect for a play such as Pygmalion. The inherent intimacy of the environment allows the
audience to be interested eavesdroppers to the conversation with the performers
merely a few feet away. Outstanding
period costumes by Jenifer Grundy Hollett reflecting the garb of both the lower
class and upper crust of Edwardian Londoners contribute mightily to the
presentation.
Sherrionne Brown’s set design
provided sufficient furniture and accessories to augment the scenes without
causing clutter on the stage and which allow the actors to move about freely.
Brad Ranno’s lighting design also enhances the atmosphere while stage manager
Lady Tatum oversees the multiple scene and act changes that occur fluidly and efficiently.
The Spotlighters’ production of Pygmalion is extremely well-performed
and staged and is worthy of a Bravo! It should not be missed as this is
community theatre at its best.
Running time. Two hours and 45
minutes with an intermission.
Pygmalion runs
through March 10 at the Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, 817 St. Paul St.,
Baltimore, MD 21202. Tickets may be
purchased by calling 410-752-225 or by visiting online.
Photos: Spotlighters Theatre /
Shaelyn Jae Photography
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