"My Fair Lady" was based on George Bernard Shaw's play, "Pygmalion," the story of Henry Higgins, a grouchy linguistics professor, firmly set in his bachelor ways, who undertakes the education of a "guttersnipe" -- a young flower seller named Eliza who lacks only the proper speaking skills in order to better herself in society. In the process he ends up with more than he bargained for as Eliza begins to teach him about being human.

Professor Higgins and Eliza

G.S.S.'s production of My Fair Lady was a smash hit, often still mentioned by students as one of their favourites of all time. It also marked the beginning of G.S.S. Musical Theatre's connection with Kate Philips, a trained actress who has chosen to make Gananoque her home. Everyone benefited from Kate's help as she gave lessons in everything from the Cockney dialect to which foot to step with first when crossing the stage.

left:"I'm Getting Married in the Morning"; right: "On the Street Where You Live"

My Fair Lady also marked one of the few times the school rented costumes from a local costume house instead of creating them -- and the result was amazing.

The Ascot Scene