PYGMALION – Written by George Bernard Shaw; Directed by Melissa Taylor. Produced by Elemental Theatre Company (Presented at the Sam and Freda Davis Auditorium, 2000 East Asbury Avenue, Denver) through October 12. Tickets available at Elementaltheatrecompany.org.
Doing theatre is a dicey proposition, even when you have a history of good shows behind you and a reasonable amount of money in the bank to back you up. So why would anyone in their right mind decide to start a new theatre company? And why start that company with a weighty tome like a George Bernard Shaw script? Why not start with something light and frothy that everyone would love? The newly formed Elemental Theatre Company has taken the attitude of “Go big or go home!” And go big they have.
The stage at the Davis Auditorium in the heart of the University of Denver campus is huge, with plenty of room for the ten-person cast to tell their story. Furniture pieces are brought in and out to move the location from Covent Garden to various parlors and ballrooms. They have made the discovery of a beautiful performing space not used by the theatrical community before.
Everyone recognizes this tale as the seed for the popular MY FAIR LADY musical. So there is little need to describe the story of the flower girl Eliza being turned into a “proper” lady with elocution lessons taught by the stuffy Professor Higgins. In Shaw’s version, Eliza learns to speak with velvety tones. But even while sounding lovely, what she says still reflects her street mentality and casual education. A more devious change is happening in Eliza’s soul as she learns what it is to be a lady, to crave independence, to come into a sense of power, and what it is to be and have a friend. Shaw’s version does not come to a “happily ever after” conclusion, but a satisfactory one, nevertheless.
Elemental struck gold with their two main characters. Stephen Mathis, as Henry Higgins, brings an intimate knowledge of the part to this stage, having done the role previously. His understanding of the character and ease in arrogance comes easily to him, or so it seems. He embraces the quirks of Higgins’ character and supplies an inborn grace for him. Lindsey Gwinner also seems an easy fit for the character of Eliza. She rails, screeches, cries at the drop of a vowel, then easily slides into the graceful, elegant, finished product of the Professor’s “project.” Her down-to-earth approach to life’s little quirks and expressive way of verbalizing them provide much of the humor of the piece. It’s easy to believe her concern as she realizes what she’s done and how she has changed her life. Is it for the better or not? What is she to do with this newfound persona, with neither education nor finances to back it up? But she achieves an acceptance of who she has finally become.
The production also provides talented local actors with a chance to shine. Bevin Antea makes a sweet and caring Mrs. Pearce, the housekeeper at Higgins’ laboratory. The audience knows immediately that Eliza is in good hands and will not be harmed. Jeamus Wilkes as Colonel Pickering is a good foil for Higgins’ exposition as another scholar interested in the role of diction in human development. He asks all the right questions that allow Higgins to go on and on about his theories while still becoming a father figure for Eliza. A forceful and humorous Kathy Trageser plays Mrs. Higgins, Henry’s delightfully normal mother, despite her place in society. She has affection for her son but understands his faults as well. She sees exactly what is happening to Eliza and the position her son has put her in. She does not approve and makes that very clear. Patrick Brownson, being the consummate professional that he is, stepped into the role of Eliza’s father, Alfred Doolittle, with only two days’ preparation. Patrick’s Doolittle proves that you don’t have to have a formal education and a posh voice to manage a fulfilling and successful life. You just need to “touch” a bit of money now and then off the working class, just enough to keep a drop in your mug.
This gives an indication of the type of shows we can expect from this newly born theatre company. It will be fun to watch them grow.
A WOW factor of 8.25!