TALENTED COMPANY BRINGS LERNER AND LOEWE CLASSIC TO LIFE AT IVORYTON PLAYHOUSE
By Kiersten Bjork (August 21, 2025)
Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, currently playing at the Ivoryton Playhouse through September 7, is proof that you don’t always need a giant cast and full orchestra to produce a strong show. Featuring a talented company of principals and an impressive ensemble that gracefully changes from flower sellers to royalty–and back again–Ivoryton’s production uses a single set and only two grand pianos to tell their tale.
Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture Pygmalion, My Fair Lady follows Eliza Doolittle, a flower girl who turns to Professor Henry Higgins in the hopes of changing her speech to seem more proper. Higgins and fellow language enthusiast Colonel Pickering decide to make a bet out of it: Pickering will pay for the costs of Higgins experiments if Higgins can transform Eliza into a duchess in six months.
Brian Feehan serves as director and choreographer, taking on no small feat in shaping the show for the small company of performers. In his note, Feehan points out that “the original production had a cast of well over seventy actors, singers, dancers, and musicians,” and Ivoryton has set out to do the show with only thirteen performers and two pianists (music director Jill Brunelle, and David Marottolo). While I am not the biggest fan of My Fair Lady myself, I was impressed with just how well this team pulled it off. The company is incredibly talented, especially Evan Bertram (Eliza Doolittle) and Trevor Martin (Henry Higgins), and the soaring piano score feels right at home in Ivoryton’s intimate space. Feehan has crafted elegant choreography and clever staging to elevate the story, and the design choices bring everything together into a pristine package. It was quite evident that the packed house around me were enjoying themselves, as many numbers ended with exclamations of ‘bravo,’ or simply, ‘wow!’
Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady, currently playing at the Ivoryton Playhouse through September 7, is proof that you don’t always need a giant cast and full orchestra to produce a strong show. Featuring a talented company of principals and an impressive ensemble that gracefully changes from flower sellers to royalty–and back again–Ivoryton’s production uses a single set and only two grand pianos to tell their tale.
Adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play and Gabriel Pascal’s motion picture Pygmalion, My Fair Lady follows Eliza Doolittle, a flower girl who turns to Professor Henry Higgins in the hopes of changing her speech to seem more proper. Higgins and fellow language enthusiast Colonel Pickering decide to make a bet out of it: Pickering will pay for the costs of Higgins experiments if Higgins can transform Eliza into a duchess in six months.
Brian Feehan serves as director and choreographer, taking on no small feat in shaping the show for the small company of performers. In his note, Feehan points out that “the original production had a cast of well over seventy actors, singers, dancers, and musicians,” and Ivoryton has set out to do the show with only thirteen performers and two pianists (music director Jill Brunelle, and David Marottolo). While I am not the biggest fan of My Fair Lady myself, I was impressed with just how well this team pulled it off. The company is incredibly talented, especially Evan Bertram (Eliza Doolittle) and Trevor Martin (Henry Higgins), and the soaring piano score feels right at home in Ivoryton’s intimate space. Feehan has crafted elegant choreography and clever staging to elevate the story, and the design choices bring everything together into a pristine package. It was quite evident that the packed house around me were enjoying themselves, as many numbers ended with exclamations of ‘bravo,’ or simply, ‘wow!’
Trevor Martin and Joe Dellger as Henry Higgins and Colonel Pickering in My Fair Lady at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025 (Jonathan Steele)
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Evan Bertram as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025 (Jonathan Steele)
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Evan Bertram is enchanting as Eliza. From her first entrance to her evolution over the course of the show, she is absolutely charming and a pleasure to watch. She embodies Eliza’s transformation beautifully, in both voice and physicality, and her singing is excellent. Opposite Bertram, Trevor Martin is every bit the stern, sharp professor determined for his pupil to succeed through any means necessary. His rendition of “I’m an Ordinary Man” is quite impressive, and he has a wonderful grasp of the talk-singing style that is key to Higgins’ character. Bertram and Martin play off of each other well, exchanging verbal jabs with swift precision.
As Colonel Pickering, Joe Dellger is endearing, and perfect for the role. He has the spunk and energy to play off of Higgins, while presenting a softer, more genteel demeanor towards Eliza. Johanna Regan Milani is amusing as Higgins’ housekeeper, Mrs. Pearce. With a frequent scowl and a firm word, Milani gives a strong portrayal of the serious woman. Stacia Fernandez is a delight as Henry’s mother, Mrs. Higgins. Her no-nonsense demeanor towards her son is entertaining, and the final scene with her, Eliza, and Henry is well-played.
Scott Mikita is hilarious as Eliza’s father, Alfred P. Doolittle. From “With A Little Bit of Luck” to “Get Me To The Church On Time,” Mikita delivers masterful character work and a humorous performance that has the audience smiling, despite Doolittle’s problematic parenting.
One of my favorite numbers in the show is “On the Street Where You Live,” thanks to Ben S. Daniel’s heartwarming performance as Freddy Eynsford-Hill. There is something incredibly sincere and earnest about his portrayal, and it comes across best in this song. His Freddy is very sweet, and thus makes the contrast between him and Higgins all the sharper.
Rounding out the company are Tess Adams, Nicholas Futris, Taylor Krebuszewski (dance captain), Mikey LoBalsamo, Jason Pintar, and Autumn Eliza Sheffy in the ensemble, with Galen Donovan and Kathryn Dooley as understudies. The ensemble members are constantly switching roles from scene to scene, and I enjoyed the character work that they did, offering full, intentional characters and choices with each new scenario and costume.
As Colonel Pickering, Joe Dellger is endearing, and perfect for the role. He has the spunk and energy to play off of Higgins, while presenting a softer, more genteel demeanor towards Eliza. Johanna Regan Milani is amusing as Higgins’ housekeeper, Mrs. Pearce. With a frequent scowl and a firm word, Milani gives a strong portrayal of the serious woman. Stacia Fernandez is a delight as Henry’s mother, Mrs. Higgins. Her no-nonsense demeanor towards her son is entertaining, and the final scene with her, Eliza, and Henry is well-played.
Scott Mikita is hilarious as Eliza’s father, Alfred P. Doolittle. From “With A Little Bit of Luck” to “Get Me To The Church On Time,” Mikita delivers masterful character work and a humorous performance that has the audience smiling, despite Doolittle’s problematic parenting.
One of my favorite numbers in the show is “On the Street Where You Live,” thanks to Ben S. Daniel’s heartwarming performance as Freddy Eynsford-Hill. There is something incredibly sincere and earnest about his portrayal, and it comes across best in this song. His Freddy is very sweet, and thus makes the contrast between him and Higgins all the sharper.
Rounding out the company are Tess Adams, Nicholas Futris, Taylor Krebuszewski (dance captain), Mikey LoBalsamo, Jason Pintar, and Autumn Eliza Sheffy in the ensemble, with Galen Donovan and Kathryn Dooley as understudies. The ensemble members are constantly switching roles from scene to scene, and I enjoyed the character work that they did, offering full, intentional characters and choices with each new scenario and costume.
The company of My Fair Lady at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025, featuring Evan Bertram and Scott Mikita as Eliza Doolittle and Alfred P. Doolittle (Jonathan Steele)
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Evan Bertram as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025 (Jonathan Steele)
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Scenic designer Cully Long faces the challenge of a show with numerous locations head on and has settled on using the backdrop of Henry’s home–and more specifically, his bookshelves–for the backdrop of the entire show. This creates an interesting commentary of sorts, as it reminds us how Henry’s world permeates every aspect of the story, constantly looming over Eliza even in her intimate moments. Additional pieces of furniture are set and struck as needed to indicate additional settings.
Marcus Abbott’s lighting design builds upon the set to fully immerse us in the streets, homes, and racetracks of London through color and light. One of my favorite moments in the show is Eliza and Henry’s exit through the upstage double doors, nothing more than silhouettes–it’s absolutely breathtaking.
Kat Schorn provides the many props for the production and does wonderful work filling out the world of the show.
Costumes and wigs by designer Elizabeth Saylor are lovely, fitting right into the time and setting. Eliza’s dresses in particular, especially the shimmering silver one and her final costume, are gorgeous.
Sound design by Dustin Pfaender is solid throughout. The pianos and company are well-balanced.
Marcus Abbott’s lighting design builds upon the set to fully immerse us in the streets, homes, and racetracks of London through color and light. One of my favorite moments in the show is Eliza and Henry’s exit through the upstage double doors, nothing more than silhouettes–it’s absolutely breathtaking.
Kat Schorn provides the many props for the production and does wonderful work filling out the world of the show.
Costumes and wigs by designer Elizabeth Saylor are lovely, fitting right into the time and setting. Eliza’s dresses in particular, especially the shimmering silver one and her final costume, are gorgeous.
Sound design by Dustin Pfaender is solid throughout. The pianos and company are well-balanced.
The company of My Fair Lady at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025, featuring Evan Bertram as Eliza Doolittle (Jonathan Steele)
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The company of My Fair Lady at Ivoryton Playhouse, 2025 (Jonathan Steele)
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My Fair Lady is a classic show that features iconic characters and songs like “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?,” “The Rain in Spain,” “I Could Have Danced All Night,” and more. It’s a strong production that takes a massive show and translates it beautifully for a smaller cast and intimate setting. Don’t miss your chance to see My Fair Lady, playing at Ivoryton Playhouse now through September 7!
My Fair Lady plays August 7-September 7, 2025, at Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at ivorytonplayhouse.org or by calling the Box Office at (860) 767-7318.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
My Fair Lady plays August 7-September 7, 2025, at Ivoryton Playhouse in Ivoryton, CT. Learn more and purchase tickets at ivorytonplayhouse.org or by calling the Box Office at (860) 767-7318.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.