Ohio Light Opera offers loverly opener

The curtain opened on the Ohio Light Opera’s 47th season Saturday afternoon, June 13 with Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady.” The house was packed with expectant and excited theatergoers as the familiar opening welcome announcement reminded everyone of their audience etiquette. This year there was a delightful focus on the interactive aspect of live theater as all those present were invited to “sit back and participate” — with laughter and applause.

The 1956 musical is based on the 1912 play “Pygmalion” by George Bernard Shaw. It ran for six years on Broadway, and nearly every one of the songs became a hit. “My Fair Lady” tells the tale of a phonetics professor who plucks a flower girl from poverty and bets a friend he can teach her how to speak “proper” English and pass her off as a lady. After the transformation is complete, he realizes “he’s grown accustomed to her face” and has deep feelings for her.

The OLO orchestra immediately set the stage for excellence as the overture began, giving the audience a taste of the familiar tunes to come. The music reverberated throughout the show, from overture to songs to musical interludes during set changes.

The lighting subtly drew the audience’s eye exactly where it needed to be in every moment, and the costuming was right on point. The horse race scene is always an opportunity for delightful hats and parasols to make an appearance. The race also showcased the sound the audience heard: the thunderous roar of racehorses galloping around the theater.

Every member of the cast shone in the opening-day performance with authentic accents, brilliant vocals and stage-commanding performances. At one point in the performance — go see the show to find out where — the ensemble stopped the show with a wildly entertaining dance number. Everyone, from OLO veterans to those performing in their first season, contributed to a beautiful opening-day production.

The staging and set design worked synergistically to create many memorable moments. All the elements of a beautifully directed, performed and staged show brought the classic story to life.

Associate Artistic Director Jacob Allen took the stage at the end of the opening show to thank everyone and offer a special acknowledgment of Steven A. Daigle, who will step down as artistic director at the end of the season when Allen takes over in the director position.

In keeping with OLO tradition, Allen also asked the typically unseen backstage heroes of the company to take the stage. Cast stepped back as everyone from costuming, stage management, sound and lighting took a much-deserved bow.

“My Fair Lady” is conducted by Michael Borowitz, directed by Allen, scenic design by Daniel Hobbs, costume design by Carly Holzwarth, lighting design by Brittany Shemuga and sound design by Christopher Plummer.

The OLO season continues through Aug. 2. In addition to “My Fair Lady,” the season includes “Damn Yankees,” “The Boys from Syracuse,” “The Merry Widow,” “The Yeomen of the Guard” and “The Red Mill.” Tickets are available online at www.ohiolightopera.org, by calling the box office at 330-263-2345 or stopping by the box office, Freedlander Theatre, 329 E. University St., Wooster, during its summer hours — Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, beginning June 20, from noon to 4:30 p.m.

As everyone knows who is lucky enough to have already been to the OLO this season and all those yet to attend, having top-quality, professional theater at Wayne County’s doorstep is, indeed, loverly!

Editor's note: The above is a review of the Ohio Light Opera’s production of "My Fair Lady."