Press Releases

Hit Musical Opens March 22 and Runs for Eight Performances

EVENT INFORMATION
My Fair Lady

Date & Time:
Saturday, March 22 � 2 & 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 23 � 3 p.m.
Thursday, March 27 � 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 28 � 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 29 � 2 & 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 30 � 3 p.m.

Location:
Algonquin Arts Theatre
173 Main Street, Manasquan, N.J.

Tickets:
Premium: $36 (Adults), $33 (Seniors), $25 (Students)
Regular: $29 (Adults), $26 (Seniors), $18 (Students)
Group discounts for 10 or more tickets to the same performance.
Algonquin Arts Box Office: 732-528-9211 or algonquinarts.org
All tickets subject to $2 per ticket fee.

Image: http://www.algonquinarts.org/cc/GloryCrampton_as_ElizaDoolittle_CMYK.jpg
Glory Crampton reprises her critically acclaimed role of Eliza Doolittle for Algonquin Arts Theatre's production of My Fair Lady from March 22-30. Photo courtesy of Paper Mill Playhouse.

MANASQUAN, N.J. (March 4, 2014) � Broadway leading lady Glory Crampton reprises her critically acclaimed role of Eliza Doolittle in this March's Algonquin Arts Theatre production of "My Fair Lady" which opens on Saturday, March 22 and is sponsored by Optimum Health Chiropractic.

Crampton's previous New Jersey appearance in this role came at Paper Mill Playhouse. The Star-Ledger raved "Lady is a Champ! Glory Crampton has tackled one of the most difficult roles for a musical theatre actress and has emerged triumphant." The Home News Tribune added, "She wears this role as if it were written with her in mind."

Veteran Broadway actor and director Robert Johanson returns to the Algonquin stage as Henry Higgins after his appearance last spring as King Arthur in "Spamalot." Johanson also directs "My Fair Lady," his seventh production as director here since 2011 with hit productions of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," "The 1940s Radio Hour," "Spamalot" and more. Johanson made his Broadway debut in the original cast of �Shenandoah� and in all has appeared in or directed more than 250 shows all over the world.

Called "The Perfect Musical," Tony Award-winner "My Fair Lady" is often the standard by which all other shows are measured. Based on George Bernard Shaw's play and Gabriel Pascal's movie 'Pygmalion,' with book, music and lyrics by the legendary duo of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe.

The familiar story follows Professor Henry Higgins, the brilliant, crotchety, middle-aged bachelor who is England's leading phoneticist, who finds Eliza Doolittle, the little cockney gutter sparrow, selling violets near the Royal Opera House late on a cold March night. Higgins believes that the accent and tone of one's voice determines a person's prospects in society, and bets on his ability to transform Eliza into a duchess.

Beloved Broadway musical hits come throughout the performance including "Wouldn't It Be Loverly?," "With a Little Bit of Luck," "The Rain in Spain," "I Could Have Danced All Night," "On the Street Where You Live," "Get Me to the Church on Time" and "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face."

"My Fair Lady" runs at Algonquin Arts Theatre for eight performances opening on March 22. There will be 2 p.m. matinees on Saturdays, March 22 and March 29, and 3 p.m. matinees on Sundays, March 23 and March 30. There will be 8 p.m. performances on Saturday, March 22; Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29. On Thursday, March 27, there is a special 7:30 p.m. curtain. Regular seating is $29 for adults, $26 for seniors and $18 for students. A limited quantity of premium seating is available for $7 more. Purchase online at algonquinarts.org, by calling 732-528-9211 or by stopping in to the Box Office at 173 Main Street from 12-6 p.m. on weekdays or 12-4 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are subject to $2 processing fees.

On Saturday, March 22, the theatre will host a "My Fair Lady Tea Party & Hat Fashion Show" at 11:30 a.m. at Blend on Main. Fine teas will be brewed and delicate finger sandwiches, petit fours and cookies will be served. Monika Fine Millinery of Madison, N.J., will present the Hat Fashion Show. Tickets to the tea are $35 and are available online or via the Box Office.

Crampton and Johanson previously worked together at Paper Mill Playhouse where Johanson served as Artistic Director and Crampton quickly became a crowd-favorite in starring in The Secret Garden, Nine, Carousel and many other productions.

The cast features several familiar faces from past Algonquin productions including Mark Megill, whose roles include Patsy in "Spamalot" and Herbie in "Gypsy," as Alfred Doolittle. Kevin Walsh and Marti Bookstein return from the "Oliver!" cast will play Colonel Pickering and Mrs. Pierce, respectively.

The role of Freddy will be played by Eric Harper, who has appeared with the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea. Mike Patierno (Sir Galahad in "Spamalot") appears as Jamie and Frank Falisi (Scarecrow in "The Wizard of Oz") plays Harry. Mona Kirk will make her Algonquin stage debut as Mrs. Higgins.

The scenic, costume and lighting team from the critically acclaimed Algonquin production of "Evita." Scenic Designer Adam Koch and Lighting Designer David Sexton return for their second Algonquin production. Costumer Jacquie Revier of Playtime Costumes has outfitted our casts in many of our past productions including "Evita," "Spamalot," "The Wizard of Oz," "Oliver!," "The Music Man" and "Joseph ... Dreamcoat."

The production is presented through special arrangement with Tams-Witmark.

About Algonquin Arts Theatre:
Algonquin Arts Theatre (AAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1992 with the mission to provide cultural enhancement and arts education to all audiences at the Jersey Shore through high-quality performances and programs in theatre, music, film and dance. The end goal is to foster appreciation of the arts and promote lifelong learning, particularly among underserved audiences including the economically disadvantaged, senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.

Algonquin Arts Theatre's programs are made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts; by funds from the Paul F. Zito, M.D. Educational Foundation, by Simon Kaufman, Esq. & Maria Zito-Kaufman and the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.