THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 9, 1995 TAG: 9511080153
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 26 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Theater Review
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Short : 47 lines
The Smithfield Little Theatre version of ``My Fair Lady'' is not fair but excellent.
Dr. Rick Hurst is well cast as the cold, calculating, complacent Henry Higgins, snooty language and dialect expert who decides to turn a Cockney flower girl into a duchess.
From her first Cockney squeak to her last, ladylike utterance, Kristin Wilda offers an excellent performance as Eliza Doolittle.
The major scene stealer is Jerry Matthews, in the juicy role of Eliza's father, Alfred P. Doolittle, whose surname describes his lifestyle. Every expression and movement are fun to behold.
There is a stageful of fine performers in ``My Fair Lady.'' The ensemble switches from Cockney to gentlemen and ladies as they sing and dance their way through some of the greatest songs penned for Broadway.
``The Rain in Spain'' features Eliza and the professor - important because she starts singing it Cockney-style and winds up sounding like a lady.
Next comes the classic scene in which she joins her new friends at the races. ``Ascot Gavotte'' is the song. She tries to act like a lady but often, hilariously and lovingly, slips back into her old ways.
Higgins has his turn singing the ``Hymn to Him,'' a 1912 sexist song wherein he wonders, ``Why can't a woman be more like a man?''
The audience's favorite is ``Get Me to the Church on Time,'' another opportunity for dad Doolittle and the ensemble to shine.
Other shining performances include Brian Steelman and Trey Gwaltney as dad's pals, Harry and Jamie.
Indeed, everybody in this show is A-1. Logistics for those onstage and backstage are quite challenging. There are constant set and costume changes.
The audience, though, can sit back and enjoy a wonderful outing.
Director Cecil Gwaltney Jr., who has guided so many successful SLT musicals, brought his family along. Wife Linda is the producer; son Trey is music director/actor. The costumes are by Doris Hurst.
The play will continue at 8 p.m. Nov. 9 to 11; 16 to 18; and 2:30 Nov. 12, at the Cotton Gin Theatre, Commerce Street. Call 357-7338. by CNB