MONDAY, JULY 16, 2012
PAGE 4
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THEATER
Classic story on the University stage
ANNA ALLEN
aallen@kansan.com
Rehearsals started in June, but cast members began practicing the British dialects in April for the University Theatre's performance of "My Fair Lady"
The 10 actors each learned two accents and portrayed multiple characters. But lead actress Julia Geisler, a graduate student from Wexler, Pa. who plays Eliza Doolittle, and lead actor Joe Winans, a graduate student from Fairway who plays Henry Higgins, said they didn't turn to the popular film adaptation for inspiration.
In fact, Geisler said she avoided watching the 1964 movie. Instead, she researched "Pygmalion," by George Bernard Shaw, the play which "My Fair Lady" is an adaptation of.
"My Fair Lady" is about a phonetics professor, Henry Higgins, who takes on teaching an underprivileged girl, Eliza Doolittle, how to behave like a "proper lady" to prove that he can teach anyone how to speak well enough to pass as a member of high-society.
Winans said he prepared by reading as much original material as possible, including reviews, actor letters and various literature on the play.
John Staniunas, director of "My Fair Lady" and chair of the Theatre department, said the setting, while clever, remains a representation of the time period and location.
"The movie is a very lush version of the show," Staniunas said. "For the stage, you have to use your imagination with the settings."
And when it came to practicing
their character's dialects—cockney and received pronunciation, which means the standard English accent—they used various methods, Geisler and Winans said.
"For a while, when we were practicing it, it would slip out at bars," Geisler said. "Cockney is good for驱动 griv-
Cockney is often thought of as an English working-class accent, and Winans said he and Geisler would sometimes read Cosmopolitan magazine out loud in their accents for practice.
Aside from learning multiple dialects, Staniunas said there's a more daunting task the cast members face in the production.
ing."
"One of the biggest challenges was having 10 actors play 22 roles," Staniunas said. "But it was also the most exciting part of the rehearsal process, seeing the actors transform from one character to another.
"We had the most fun with the music and dancing. These songs just stick in your head."
Performances for the play started last week and continue from July 19 to 22 at the Crafton-Preyer Theatre in Murphy Hall.
Performances start at 7:30 p.m. on July 19, 20 and 21 and at 2:30 p.m. on July 22.
-Edited bv Allison Kohn
CHECK OUT THE INTERVIEW
2. Open to all KU students
3. Become financially literate. Enroll in FIN 101: Personal Finance.
ESSICA JANASZ/KANSAN
Stephen Dagrosa, who plays Colonel Pickering in "My Fair Lady," sits down while actresses Ashley Benes and Sara J. Blakesley look on during a scene at their final dress rehearsal. There are four opportunities left to see the show: July 19, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. and July 22 at 2:30 p.m. at Crafton-Preyer Theater in Murphy Hall. The show is directed and choreographed by John Staniunas.
BOOKSTORE
KUBOOKSTORE.COM
THE OFFICIAL BOOKSTORE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
THE ALUMNI COLLECTION CAN BE FOUND IN-STORE & ONLINE AT KUBOOKSTORE.COM
Kansas Union Level 2 • 1301 Jayhawk Blvd. • Lawrence, KS 66045 • (785) 864-4640
acebook.com/KUBookstore
twitter.com/KUBookstore
pinterest.com/KUBookstore