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'My Fair Lady' now playing

| July 11, 2014 9:00 PM

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<p>Allison Standley re-enacts a scene from Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater’s production of “My Fair Lady.”</p>

COEUR d'ALENE - Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre is now presenting its centerpiece production, Lerner and Loewe's "My Fair Lady," a show that has been long hailed as "the perfect musical."

Audiences will fall for the cockney Eliza Doolitle, played by Allison Standley. Henry Higgins, played by Greg Stone, coaches her toward gentility and etiquette as Higgins learns a bit about himself along the way. The production will feature songs such as "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "On the Street Where You Live." "Lady" the musical is based on George Bernard Shaw's play, "Pygmalion."

"I'm continually reminded what a special script this is. Every scene has a touch of genius in it, and even more as we peel away the layers and go even deeper with it," said CST artistic director Jadd Davis. "I was worried we wouldn't be able to really dig in to the text given our short rehearsal period, but the cast is so smart and facile, we've been able to spend time really fleshing out the meatier parts of the characters. Shaw's characters, and as told here in Lerner and Loewe's musical, are compelling and complicated, and these actors are knocking my socks off."

Local celebrity Patty Duke was originally cast to play the role of Mrs. Higgins, but dropped out of the show because of illness, according to CST's executive director Laura Little. Duke regretfully withdrew because of a digestive illness and is disappointed not to be able to participate, Little reported.

"While we will sorely miss working with Patty on the production, our only hope is that she recovers fully so she can continue the craft that she had perfected throughout her career," Little told The Press.

"My Fair Lady," which opened Thursday, continues in the Kroc Center through July 27. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. and matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $49 for adults, $42 for senior/military and $27 for children younger than 12.

Info: www.cdasummertheatre.com