Meridian Little Theatre concludes its 92nd season with Lerner and Lowe’s award-winning story, “My Fair Lady” on May 1-4 with shows at 7 p.m. nightly and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday.

 

Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, “My Fair Lady” is that rare musical by which all others are measured. It is the tale of a cockney flower girl, Eliza Doolittle (Kristen Johnson. Gunn), transformed into an elegant lady by Professor Henry Higgins (Jason Brooks).

 

The production features one of musical theatre’s greatest scores, 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.”

 

When Lerner and Loewe’s “My Fair Lady” opened on Broadway, it collected six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, while the film version took home eight Oscars, including Best Picture.

 

Artistic Director Tiffany McGehee said, “I’m incredibly excited about this production because with Kristen Gunn, Jason Brooks, Matt Farmer and Greg Snowden in the principal roles, I feel like I’m working with some pros! They are so incredibly committed and amazingly talented. I’m lucky to be able to direct this show with them in the cast. Not only are the principal roles outstanding, but I feel like I have an incredible ensemble of veteran actors who are playing some of the most fun, quirky and memorable supporting characters.”

Gunn describes her Eliza Doolittle as a feisty gal, born into poverty.

 

“She is fighting tooth and nail for security, family, a sense of belonging and a sense of respect. The story takes place during a time where classism invaded every aspect of society. Eliza has grit and is courageous enough to risk seeking a better life for herself. She finds an unexpected connection along the way with those who aren’t a part of her “social class,” and I’ll leave the rest for the audience to find out.”

 

Gunn makes her return to the MLT stage after a hiatus. She played Liesl in “The Sound of Music” in 1998.

 

Gunn and her husband Drew work for Bonita Properties Inc. and E&S Development Group. Their four children (Luke, Bo, Wyatt and Parker) attend Lamar Elementary and Highland CDC. They attend Northpointe Presbyterian Church where Drew is a deacon and Kristen is the church pianist. She is also the director the Meridian Symphony Chorus during the symphony season. For this year’s “Sweeny Todd” production, Gunn served as the Musical Director while her husband played the title role.

 

“It is nice to be on the stage this time instead of in the [orchestra] pit. I’ve always said a teacher is only as effective as his/her willingness to be the student throughout their whole lives. Applying what you teach and continuing to develop skills and talent only make a teacher better at helping others. It has been fun, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the process and this wonderful cast,” Gunn explained.

 

Associate pastor at First Baptist Church Meridian, Brooks returns to the MLT stage after being cast in the 2005 production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and, serving as vocal director for “The Sound of Music,” “Grease,” and “Annie.” He and his wife Capri have been married for almost 23 years and have an 11-year-old daughter Posey and 6-year-old son Hall.

 

Brooks describes Higgins as a fun but complex character.

 

“While he’s academic, set in his ways, egocentric, and a little socially awkward (think Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory), I do think he has a capacity to bond emotionally with others that Eliza Doolittle draws out of him. Even though he is initially dismissive of others’ emotions, Higgins grows by the end of the story and forms a bond with Eliza that shows respect for her feelings. From a musical perspective, I’ve also had so much fun with the character’s songs in the show.”

 

“‘My Fair Lady’ is one of the classic musical theater experiences. It has many iconic songs the audience will instantly recognize along with an outstanding, talented cast. This is a production that showcases the best of what has made Meridian Little Theater one of the leaders among community theaters in Mississippi,” Brooks explained.

 

Former Rep. Greg Snowden takes on the role of Colonel Hugh Pickering. With more than 2 dozen MLT performances to his credit, Snowden was excited about taking on this role.

 

“I portray Higgins’ side kick. The ‘good cop’ to his bad cop, if you will. I am his partner in crime in the production which is a classic musical. We have a talented cast, and audiences can expect a great show with this one.”

 

Contact the MLT box office at 601-482-6371 or go online @meridianlittletheatre.com to purchase tickets.