Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw (classic/romance)     Coordinated by Randall Hoole 

“Pygmalion”, a romance by George Bernard Shaw, was first performed in England in 1914. The play is a humane comedy about love and the English class system. Henry Higgins, a phonetician, accepts a bet that simply by changing the speech of a Cockney flower seller he will be able, in six months, to pass her off as a duchess. Eliza undergoes grueling training. When she successfully “passes” in high society, Higgins dismisses her abruptly as a successfully completed experiment. Eliza, who now belongs neither to the upper class, nor to the lower class, rejects his dehumanizing attitude. The play became famous as the beloved stage musical “My Fair Lady” (1956), with a musical score by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe. A 1964 film version of the musical starred Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn.      

Nineteenth Century Club, 178 Forest Ave, Oak Park

Doors open at 2:45, performance at 3:00.

 The Free Readers Ensemble (FRE) is an actor-based ensemble whose mission is to present diverse theatrical and literary material in a reader’s theater format to Oak Park/River Forest and the surrounding communities. Through voice and dramatic interpretation, FRE brings a world of literature to life while achieving a high standard of consistently entertaining and thought-provoking performances. All programs are free to the public; free-will donations are appreciated and help cover costs.