Stage Right to present 'My Fair Lady'

Stage Right Productions will present the classic musical "My Fair Lady' beginning at 8 p.m. Friday at the Center for the Performing Arts, Wood Dale Junior High School, 655 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale.

Shows continue at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday and Aug. 1-3 to benefit Holy Ghost Church in Wood Dale. For the fifth year in a row, parishioner Peter Verdico is using Stage Right Production skills to put together a Broadway show.

Verdico of Wood Dale founded Stage Right Productions and operated a dinner theater and banquet hall in Wood Dale for many years. He plays Alfred Doolittle, Eliza's father.

Amy Brophy of Wheeling, an accomplished choreographer, will sing and dance as Eliza. She graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City.

Rick Frendt of Oak Park is Professor Henry Higgins, the show's phonetics expert and teacher. He is a talented actor and singer who is also adept at production and musical direction and set design. Both are making their Stage Right debuts.

Director Frank Roberts of Schiller Park has been resident director for Stage Right from 1999 to 2002; his shows include "Guys and Dolls," "She Loves Me," "Victor/Victoria," "Anything Goes," "Mame," "'Tis the Season" and "You Can't Take it with You." In addition to working with Stage Right for the last 16 years, he has also worked at Pheasant Run, Drury Lane Oakbrook and the Illinois Theatre Center in Park Forest. He plays Jamie in this production of "My Fair Lady."

Additional cast include Jody Goldman of Lincolnshire as Mrs. Pierce, Nancy Greco of Forest Park as Mrs. Higgins, Deanna Henriksen of Aurora and Julie Koerner of Northbrook as maids, Harold LeBoyer of Rolling Meadows as Pickering, Tom Moore of Wheeling as Herry. The ensemble includes Gary Peterson of Hoffman Estates, Jack Rasif of Wilmette, JoEllyn Romano of Elmhurst, Pam Spurgeon of Belvidere, Jennie Steljes of Elk Grove Village, Mark Stickney of Oak Park, Tom Walker of Carol Stream, Jeff Rausa, Claudia Romer of Vernon Hills and James Kenney of Bloomingdale.

The musical "My Fair Lady" is situated in 1912 London. Higgins bets Colonel Pickering that he has the skill to turn common cockney flower girl Eliza into someone who could fool the upper class into thinking she was raised in a highly privileged environment experiencing the best things in life. Working with Professor Higgins, Eliza does attain great eloquence and poise. In the end, the professor and Eliza recognize their need for each other.

Verdico, the show's artistic director, said the play was chosen because, "Not only is "My Fair Lady" one of the most beautiful musicals ever written, but the main characters tell an important story. Eliza Doolittle represents the universal potential that all of us possess and the persistence and drive it takes to reach our goals, even when they seem unobtainable. Henry Higgins represents that special teacher that we have had at one time in our lives, who sparked our potential and helped us achieve our widest thoughts and dreams.

"We hope the message of this beloved story inspires us all to strive for excellence in everything we do!"

Tickets cost $15. For details, call (630) 860-2975 ext. 25.

If you go

What: The production of the classical musical "My Fair Lady" will benefit Holy Ghost Church in Wood Dale

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, July 25-27 and Aug. 1-3

Where: Center for the Performing Arts, Wood Dale Junior High School, 655 N. Wood Dale Road, Wood Dale

Cost: $15

Call: (630) 860-2975, ext. 25