WEST CHESTERFIELD, N.H.-The Actors Theatre Playhouse (ATP) presents a Staged Reading of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion on Saturdays, June 29 and July 6, at 7:30 p.m.
Shaw's Pygmalion is regarded by many as his most famous and beloved creation. It has been adapted many times, most notably as the 1938 film Pygmalion, the 1956 stage musical My Fair Lady, and its 1964 film version.
In ancient Greek mythology, Pygmalion fell in love with one of his sculptures, which then came to life. The general idea of that myth was a popular subject for Victorian era British playwrights. Shaw joined the bandwagon, and "his play survives as the winner," says director Sam Pilo in a news release.
Pygmalion investigates language, class, and social mobility, all Shaw preoccupations, but this time through "snappy dialogue and outrageous character humor." He dissects society and its (lack of) social morals in a feast of laughter and sharp wit as he exposes the hypocrisy of the British establishment with a skill only rivaled by his compatriot Oscar Wilde."
Henry Higgins plucks up Eliza Doolittle on a sudden bet and claims he can pass off this guttersnipe of a London flower seller as a duchess in high society. Typical of Shaw, the whole world turns upside down by play's end.
Lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe "knew a good thing when they heard it," says Pilo. "They found Shaw's 1912 dialogue played with a fiery contemporary crackle a good musical requires." Much of Pygmalion's scenes and dialogue remains intact in the musical.
The ATP cast includes Sherman Morrison, Roberta Barnes, Bob Gruen, Veda Crewe, Mary Armstrong, Phil Kramer, Rose Watson, and Jenny Holan, and is directed by Pilo.
"After last year's success with ATP's Staged Reading of Shaw's Misalliance, one of his least-produced plays, we thought it would be fun to tackle one of his most-produced plays. In rehearsing the piece, we are finding the scenes and dialogue uniquely 'contemporary' in their pacing, structure, and sense of character comedy.
All tickets are $17 and are available at atplayhouse.org. Advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended. Actors Theatre Playhouse is located at the corner of Brook and Main streets in West Chesterfield.
This Arts item was submitted to The Commons.