Eliza Doolitle is set to storm Broadway once again in a revival of “My Fair Lady,” marking the first time the classic’s been performed on the Great White Way in 25 years.
The new production, to be directed by Bartlett Sher (2008 Tony award winner for “South Pacific” revival), will begin previews on March 22, followed by its official opening on April 19. Lincoln Center Theater, in association Nederlander Presenationx Inc. are mounting the production and made the announcement Monday.
It’s been over 60 years since “My Fair Lady” debuted on Broadway in 1956 and ran for more than 2,700 performances. The show once held the record as Broadway’s longest-running musical and won six Tonys, including Best Musical. The original production, directed by Moss Hart, starred Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews.
Harrison starred in the Best Picture-winning 1964 film adaptation, reprising his role as the snobbish Professor Henry Higgins. Andrey Hepburn took over from Andrews to play Doolittle. Notably Hepburn wasn’t nominated for an Oscar, despite Harrison winning Best Actor.
Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play “Pygmallion,” “My Fair Lady” follows Higgins’ efforts to mold a Doolitle, a cockney flower girl, into a high society woman. The show’s known for such classic songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “Get Me to the Church on Time” and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” written by Alan Jay Lerner with music by Frederick Loewe.
Casting for any of the roles has yet to be announced.