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Loverly “Lady” At Westchester Broadway Theatre
Monday, October 3rd, 2011
by Michall Jeffers on Playing Around
My Fair Lady at Westchester Broadway Theatre is a production that would please even the toughest critic.
The staging and sets are smartly kept simple; the lights go up on the iconic wheelbarrow, a couple of pillars,
a sketch of Covent Garden for a backdrop. Other sets are equally spare; characters frequently sing directly
to the audience.
When the performers are as uniformly good as they are in this show, credit must go in large part to the
director, Charles Repole; the musical director, Leo Carusone; and to the choreographer, Michael Lichtefeld.
The casting is wonderful, down to the smallest roles; and yes, there are small roles. Here, they’re played by
big actors. Special praise goes to the quartet in the opening scene. The voices of Gabriel Beck, Patrick
Keefe, JP Qualters, and Joseph Torello blend seamlessly, and fill the audience with high expectations of
what’s to come.
As soon as Jennifer Babiak opens her mouth to sing as Eliza Doolittle, we know we’re in for a splendid
evening. Not only does she possess a terrific singing voice, she also brings to the title role a spunkiness,
warmth, and vulnerability essential to the character.
Babiak is a little dynamo, and we fully understand how the
confirmed bachelor at the center of the play becomes enchanted;
he feeds her chocolates, she wins his heart.
Her keen sense of comedy makes the Ascot scene funny and
endearing. The way she wonders at the delicate handkerchief she’s
offered is a window into her soul, which yearns for a better life off
the streets.
Tom Galantich is as dapper a Henry Higgins as has ever trod the
boards. A superb voice isn’t required for the role, but this Higgins sings the complicated lyrics beautifully,
with ease and charm to spare. The moment he allows Eliza, looking every inch a princess in her gown and
tiara, to take his arm on the way to the ball is perfectly played. We can see him make the decision, and be
pleased with himself and his choice.j
Bill Dietrich knows he’s landed a plum role as Alfred P. Doolittle, and he pulls out all the stops bringing to
life this lovable rascal. He sings, dances, jokes, and cajoles, neatly stealing every scene in which he
appears. We can almost smell his hideous breath as he delivers his speech about the undeserving poor.
I love the Cecil Beaton inspired black and white costumes, and I think the contemporary audience can truly
appreciate the over the top hats. They would have been quite appropriate at the recent royal wedding.
After all, could anything have been more theatrical than the attention grabber worn by Princess Beatrice?
A word here about the concentration and professionalism of performers who work so close to the audience.
The ¾ stage thrust leaves no place to hide. When a patron cried out several times during the performance,
no one in the cast even flinched. The show must go on, and I’m glad this one did, without a hitch.
It’s not just the wonderful work on stage, or the delightful dinner, or the ample parking that give
Westchester Broadway Theatre an edge in tough economic times. It’s the people who work there. Everyone
is gracious and caring, and every effort is made to welcome whomever comes to see a show. The night we
attended was clear and pleasant when we walked in. When we left, it was pouring. My companion had
parked at the end of the lot, and would have gotten soaked going for the car had it not been for a lovely
lady named Lorraine, who worked at the box office.
When I explained our dilemma, without hesitation, she lent us her own personal umbrella.
As I dashed back in to return it to her, I couldn’t help but think that would never, ever have happened at a
theater in Manhattan.
My Fair Lady runs through November 27, 2011, then resumes production December 28 through January 29,
2012.
Westchester Broadway Theatre
1 Broadway Plaza
Elmsford NY 10523
914-592-2222
Photo credit: John Vecchiolla
Michall Jeffers is an accomplished Cultural Journalist. She writes extensively, both in print and online. Her
eponymous cable TV show is syndicated throughout the tri-state area, and features celebrity interviews,
reviews, and commentary. She is a voting member of Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, American Theatre
Critics Association, and International Association of Theatre Critics.