A mere Cockney seller of flowers on the streets gets much more than she bargained for in “Pygmalion,” George Bernard Shaw’s witty, early feminist comedy.
Eliza Doolittle knows that until she speaks English properly, she can’t get a job in a real flower shop. She hopes she has found a way to achieve that dream when she meets Henry Higgins, an eminent professor of phonetics.
California Shakespeare Theater is staging a sumptuous production of this 1912 play under the astute direction of Jonathan Moscone, artistic director. He has assembled a first-rate cast of Bay Area stalwarts along with CST newcomer Irene Lucio as a pitch-perfect Eliza.
Henry (Anthony Fusco) agrees to take her under his tutelage in his house. He then bets his friend, Col. Pickering (L. Peter Callender), that he can pass her off as a duchess in six months.
He wins his bet. Eliza looks, acts and talks like a lady, but now what does she do, she angrily asks him. He offers to let her stay, but unwilling to continue putting up with his callous, indifferent treatment, she bravely leaves — unlike the more sentimental ending in “My Fair Lady,” the Lerner and Loewe hit musical based on the play.
Fusco fills the bill as Henry to a T. He’s nicely balanced by Callender as the more genteel, considerate Pickering, who nevertheless goes along with Henry.
Catherine Castellanos makes Mrs. Pearce, Henry’s housekeeper, a woman who does her best to call him to task when he verbally abuses Eliza. A woman who’s even more outspoken in her criticism of Henry’s behavior is his mother, Mrs. Higgins, played by Sharon Lockwood.
James Carpenter plays Eliza’s father, Alfred Doolittle, an opportunistic man who cheerfully calls himself part of the undeserving poor.
Ably completing the supporting cast are Julie Eccles as Mrs. Eynsford Hill; Elyse Price as her daughter, Clara; and Nicholas Pelczar as Freddy, her son, who’s quickly smitten with Eliza. Unlike the musical, however, the play doesn’t expand his role.
Annie Smart’s fluid set is noteworthy for the life size cartoon characters that populate the opening scene outside Covent Garden. Anna Oliver’s costumes are smartly stylish, punctuated by the elaborate hat that Eliza wears to tea at Mrs. Higgins’ house.
Kudos to Lynne Soffer, whose work as dialect and text coach is so vital to this particular play.
The entire production is thoroughly charming and thought-provoking.
It will continue at Bruns Amphitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way(off Hwy. 24), Orinda, through Aug. 24. For tickets and information, call (510) 548-9666 or visit www.calshakes.org.
