Meet the cast of 'My Fair Lady' and its Tony Award-winning director at Asolo Rep in Sarasota

Andrea Prestinario sings the "My Fair Lady" classic "I Could Have Danced All Night" at the Asolo Rep media luncheon today in Sarasota.

The Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "My Fair Lady" doesn't open the company's 53rd season until next month but its star already earned a nice round of applause today in Sarasota.

Producing Artistic Director Michael Edwards had all the cast and creatives on hand for a media luncheon held on the mezzanine of the Mertz Theatre.

The big cheers came after Andrea Prestinario, accompanied by a lone keyboardist, belted out a pitch perfection rendition of the classic musical's iconic number "I Could Have Danced All Night."

From left: Jeff Parker, Andrea Prestinario and Michael Edwards

"My Fair Lady," which opens Nov. 18 and runs through Dec. 23, features Prestinario as Eliza Doolittle, a role that earned her rave reviews in the Chicago Tribune and other publications during a recent "My Fair Lady" production at The Paramount Theatre in Aurora, Ill.

Jeff Parker, who like Prestinario is based in Chicago, plays Professor Henry Higgins. Making his Asolo Rep debut, Parker is a Jeff Award nominee whose extensive performance list includes Goodman Theatre, The Kennedy Center, Manhattan Theatre Club and Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Based on George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, "My Fair Lady" also marks the return of Tony Award-winning director (and now Sarasota resident) Frank Galati. His credits include last season’s hit production of Asolo Rep's "Twelve Angry Men."

Frank Galati

Galati won two Tony Awards, including Best Direction of a Play, in 1990 for "Grapes of Wrath." In 1998, he staged "Ragtime" and was nominated again for a Tony Award in the Best Direction of a Musical category. Galati also received an Academy Award-nomination as coauthor on the screenplay for the 1988 dramatic romance "The Accidental Tourist," which won Geena Davis an Oscar.

Edwards explained how he wanted to do "My Fair Lady" since he came to Asolo Rep five years ago but needed Galati to direct as to ensure the production would not be "musty."

Galati described "My Fair Lady" as a "biting satire ... about the power of language" and addressed the "serious material underneath this extraordinary musical comedy."

Edwards returned to the podium and, with a sly smile, reminded the journalists representing publications across Southwest Florida that "My Fair Lady" would also be "funny and sexy."

Laughter filled the mezzanine. 

During the brief Q&A section that followed, Doug Peck, the music director/keyboardist, explained the two piano score chosen by Asolo Rep would make the show more intimate because the actors wouldn't have to project over a 40-musician orchestra.

Andrea Prestinario as Eliza Doolittle during a recent "My Fair Lady" 

production at The Paramount Theatre

"My Fair Lady"
Presented in the Harold E. and Esther M. Mertz Theatre
November 18, 2011- December 23, 2011
Preview performances November 15-17
Click for ticket info


Creative Team:
Frank Galati Director
Joshua Rhodes Choreographer
Doug Peck Music Director/Keyboards
Ian Weinberger Assistant Music Director/Keyboards 2
Russell Metheny Set Design
Mara Blumenfeld Costume Design
James D. Sale Lighting Design
Kevin Kennedy Sound Design
Michelle Hart Wig & Hair Design
Patricia Delorey Voice & Dialect
Kelly Borgia* Stage Manager
Michael Morales* Assistant Stage Manager
Nia Sciarretta Stage Management Intern
Ryan Bible Student Lighting Assistant
Lauryn E. Sasso Resident Dramaturg

Cast (in alphabetical order):
Andrew Boyer* Alfred Dolittle
Colleen Cherry 2nd Maid/Ensemble
Sean Effinger-Dean Freddy Eynsford-Hill
Joel Hatch* Col. Pickering
Heather Kopp* 3rd Maid/Ensemble
Carol Kuykendall* 4th Maid/Ensemble
Rob Lindley* 1st Cockney/Ensemble
Robert David May 4th Cockney/Ensemble
Christine Mild* 1st Maid/Ensemble
Annie Morrison* Mrs. Eynsford-Hill
Thomas Mothershed Harry/Ensemble
Jeff Parker* Henry Higgins
Andrea Prestinario* Eliza Doolittle
Peggy Roeder* Mrs. Higgins
Cliff Roles Ensemble
Daniel Schwab 2nd Cockney/Ensemble
Penny Slusher* Mrs. Pearce
Barry Tarallo* Jamie/Ensemble
Bryan Torfeh* Zoltan Karpathy/3rd Cockney
*denotes member of Actor’s Equity

—All photos by Wade Tatangelo

Asolo Rep announces 2011-12 season

Asolo Rep Nov. 19, 2010/Photo by Wade Tatangelo

A classic musical, a bilingual take on a William Shakespeare masterpiece and a pair of world premieres are among the highlights of the Asolo Rep's 2011-12 season, announced today.

The Tony Award-winning favorite "My Fair Lady" opens the nationally acclaimed, professional Sarasota theater company's 53rd season on Nov. 18. The innovative "Hamlet, Prince of Cuba" will perform in Miami after its Sarasota run.  And Asolo Rep will produce the world premieres of "Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock?" as well as Tommy Tune presents: "State of the Art Song & Dance."

“Constructing a season for a repertory company of this caliber requires considering a vast array of issues," said Producing Artistic Director Michael Edwards in a statement. "It must all be shaped so carefully; the stars must truly align. Our company, the artists and organizations with which we’ve developed such strong relationships, combined with the strength of our production studios, collaborative resources, and amazing theatres–-are all factors that put us in a unique position to do what most theater companies can only dream of doing. 

"And with the enormous responsibility we have as a State Theatre of Florida, we strive for the season to be as exciting and appealing for as many different people as possible,” Edwards continued. “We’ve created a season filled with the thrill of new works, brilliant classics produced as though they were brand new, searing dramas, outrageous comedies, and soaring musicals. It is a season that will challenge, astonish, and delight – come and dream with us.”

Asolo Rep 2011–2012 season in chronological order

"My Fair Lady": Nov. 18-Dec. 23
Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner; Music by Frederick Loewe

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s "Pygmalion"

Directed by Tony Award-winner Frank Galati, who also directed Asolo Rep's riveting production of "Twelve Angry Men,"running through March 26. Click for my review.

"Once in a Lifetime": Jan. 6-April 1, 2012

By Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman

Directed by Mark Rucker

"God of Carnage": Jan. 13-Feb. 29, 2012

By Yasmina Reza

Translated by Christopher Hampton

Directed by Greg Leaming

"Yentl": Jan. 20-April 26, 2012

A play based on Isaac Bashevis Singer’s short story “Yentl The Yeshiva Boy”

Adapted for the stage by Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis Singer

Directed by Gordon Greenberg

"Fallen Angels": March 9-May 13, 2012

Directed by Peter Amster

"Hamlet, Prince of Cuba": March 23-May 6, 2012

By William Shakespeare, adapted and directed by Michael Donald Edwards

Spanish Translation by Eduardo Machado

With performances in both Spanish and English. The play will first run in Sarasota, and then will travel to Miami to perform as part of the South Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC) Grand Opening. The SMDCAC performance is part of an artistic exchange between Asolo Rep and the Miami Dade County Cultural Alliance, which began with "Las Meninas," which opens March 18.

"Who the *$&% Is Jackson Pollock?" March 30-April 22, 2012

Directed by Anne Kauffman

World premiere in the Historic Asolo Theater, in co-production with the Ringling Museum of Art

By Liz Brixius; based on the film by Harry Moses

Written by "Nurse Jackie" creator Liz Brixius, Asolo Rep will co-present this commissioned new work.

Tommy Tune presents: "State of the Art Song & Dance": May 25—June 17, 2012

Conceived, choreographed and starring Noah Racey

World premiere musical event celebrating the state of the art of Broadway song and dance. Directed by Jeff Calhoun, who also directed the Asolo Rep's Broadway-bound production of "Bonnie & Clyde." Click for my review. Click for "Bonnie & Clyde' to open on Broadway."

"Asolo Rep Unplugged 2012"

Greg Leaming, curator

Asolo Rep’s new play festival returns, with readings planned for the spring 2012.

Full details, titles and final dates will be confirmed in 2012.

 
Subscriptions are available now. Single tickets go on sale in September. Information: (941) 351-8000 or www.AsoloRep.org.

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training 2011-12 season

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training also announced its 2011-12 season today. The Conservatory features first-rate acting students performing in a series of four plays in two venues: the Cook Theatre in the FSU Center for the Performing Arts and the Historic Asolo Theater at the Ringling Museum. In addition to the second year class season, third year Conservatory students perform on the Asolo Rep mainstage with the professional company.

"The Brothers Karamazov": Nov. 1–20

By Anthony Clarvoe; based on the novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky

"Lobby Hero": Jan. 3-22, 2012

By Kenneth Lonergan

"The Robbers": Feb. 1-March 11, 2012

By Friedrich Schiller

"Cloud Nine": April 3-22, 2012

By Caryl Churchill.

FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training 2011-2012  ticket/subscription information: (941) 351-8000 or www.asolorep.org

'La Bete' opens today at Asolo Rep in Sarasota

 Danny Scheie as Valere/Photo by Cliff Roles

David Hirston's witty, rhyming comedy "La Bete" — currently a hit on Broadway — opens tonight at the Asolo Rep in Sarasota. My interview with director Michael Edwards and leading man Danny Scheie ran Thursday on the cover of the Herald's Weekend section.

The beauty of David Hirson’s “La Bete,” besides its hilarious dialogue delivered entirely in rhyming couplets, is the dagger-sharp comedy’s refusal to identify the titular “beast.” At least theatergoers shouldn’t expect such an answer from the Asolo Repertory’s production opening Jan. 7 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts’ Mertz Theatre in Sarasota. There will be ample evidence, though, supporting the “la bete” charge against several characters, which should lead to some exhilarating post-performance debates over drinks and such.

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