A Loverly Take on ‘My Fair Lady’

With most community theaters, getting the big pieces to fit usually means a winning show. There may be little flaws scattered about, but they’re easy enough to overlook.

That’s the case with the Huntington Beach Playhouse’s revival of Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady.” Director Kent Johnson has his centerpieces nicely placed: Julia Watt is a capable Eliza Doolittle, and Bob Fimiani is even better as her tormenting mentor, Henry Higgins.

The relationship, of course, is crucial. If we don’t connect with these two, forget it. Both Fimiani and Watt work hard at forging a bond between each other and with the audience.

Some may be disappointed that the curious romance between Higgins, the self-absorbed linguist, and the “squashed cabbage leaf” of a flower girl he wants to reinvent isn’t more fully explored. There’s not much court-and-spark between them, not even at the end, when Eliza returns to his bachelor pad after much mutual soul-searching.

But that’s OK. Audiences (and many directors) over the years have misread “My Fair Lady” as essentially a provincial love story, when actually it’s about stronger stuff. Class warfare and the pained differences between the male and female egos? They’re in there. The musical is based, after all, on Shaw’s “Pygmalion,” which, in turn, was inspired by Greek myth.

Fimiani is especially good at getting into Higgins’ complicated character. He’s a pompous middle-ager with a big brain and absolutely no doubts--a lethal combination that just about ruins poor Eliza, who only wants to improve her diction. Eliza’s ambition stops at dreams of a flower shop, but Higgins can’t help himself from playing God.

Fimiani’s Higgins works Eliza over as he creates her in his own image, but it’s without real cruelty. Fimiani anchors the show by reminding us that Higgins may be plagued with hubris, but he’s also heroic in his own way. He’s a nutty professor with unimpeachable principles and the belief that people can better themselves.

Watts’ portrayal isn’t as complex, but it really doesn’t have to be in this production. She takes the standard route by having Eliza evolve prettily from one of the noisy unwashed to a bejeweled, more subdued lady, and it’s a satisfying-enough trip.

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Appropriately, Watts has the cast’s strongest voice, although it was thin at times on such signature tunes as “I Could Have Danced All Night” and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?” Fimiani’s role requires more personality than reach, and he delivers, especially on “A Hymn to Him.”

Johnson showed savvy by placing faith in his lead actors, gracefully stewarding the show with his straightforward approach.

Of the supporting characters, Paul Andrews stands out as Eliza’s carousing father, always looking for a drink until matrimony finally catches him. Pat Hanrahan is also engaging as Col. Pickering, Higgins’ loud-but-kindly accomplice in Eliza’s development.

John Nokes’ elaborate sets and Loretta Lupo’s colorful costumes give the show a visual appeal that can’t always be taken for granted in amateur playhouse productions.

* “My Fair Lady,” Huntington Beach Playhouse, 7111 Talbert Ave. Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. Ends July 21. (714) 375-0696. Running time: 2 hours, 35 minutes.

Bob Fimiani: Henry Higgins

Julia Watt: Eliza Doolittle

Phil Schnell: Freddy Eynsford-Hill

Pat Hanrahan: Col. Pickering

Paul Andrews: Alfred P. Doolittle

D.D. Calhoun: Mrs. Higgins

Terri Miller Schmidt: Mrs. Pearce

A Huntington Beach Playhouse production of Lerner and Loewe’s musical. Directed by Kent Johnson. Set design: John Nokes. Costumes: Loretta Lupo. Lighting: Janie Phillips Hobson. Choreography: Roberta Kay. Musical director: Tim Nelson.