This week, the Corvallis Majestic Theater performs its second weekend of shows for My Fair Lady, a timeless and classic musical with an iconic score to welcome all audiences.

The show opened at the Majestic on May 2nd and, according to director Emily Ferrin, had an incredible opening weekend. Tickets are still available for the next few performances, which will be on May 10, 15, 16, 17 at 7:30 p.m., and May 11 and 18 at 2:30 p.m.

My Fair Lady is an American musical comedy that was originally a movie in 1964. It then went on to take over Broadway, and according to the Majestic, it is “one of the greatest classics Golden Age Broadway has to offer.”

The show follows a phonetics professor and a Cockney girl in the professor’s mission to teach her a proper accent and diction. Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins are the star characters in this show, and showcase a tale of transformation.

Ferrin was excited to take on this large-scale musical for the Majestic. She has been involved in various productions at the Majestic since 2018, working backstage on choreography or even volunteering as an usher.

This is her first time directing a Majestic musical, and Ferrin said, “My good friend, Ruth Mandsager, convinced me that this would be a good time to stretch my theatre muscles and direct a main-stage musical at the Majestic. I am very grateful to the Majestic for trusting me with this large endeavor.”

One thing special about this production, in almost all adaptations throughout history, is the musical score. With famous songs, “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?”, “The Rain in Spain”, “I Could Have Danced All Night”, and “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face” to name a few.

Ferrin credits this score as one of her main inspirations for proposing this show, and said, “The music is the first reason that we chose this show. It is beautiful and timeless. The melodies sweep through the theatre and have audience members singing the tunes far after the show is over.”

A unique feature about this adaptation is the choice to put the 24-piece orchestra on stage. As Ferrin explains, “It is a prominent character of the show, just as important as Eliza Dolittle or Henry Higgins.”

Beyond the beautiful composition and the humorous characters and scenes, Ferrin and other fans of this show recognize a deeper theme in the plot.

“Eliza states that ‘the difference between a flower girl and a duchess is not how she behaves, but how she is treated.’ How often do we take the time to look beyond how someone appears or sounds and see the person beneath? Are we treating those we interact with with respect and kindness? Are we giving space for people to grow and change?”

These are the questions Ferrin hopes the audience will consider as they enjoy the work that is My Fair Lady.

Tickets are still available for the second weekend of shows. Go to the Majestic Theater’s website to purchase these. The Theater features various concessions and rotating wine, flower, and small business vendors. Show tickets are $22 for general admission and $20 for students and seniors.

Organizers recommend arriving early in case of limited parking, and do not do late seating. Kerrin said, “I want this show to touch on the nostalgia of that visit, and I hope the audience takes away that cozy feeling.”