Lyceum Theatre Continues 50th Season with MY FAIR LADY Thru 7/31

Lyceum Theatre's 2010 50th Anniversary Season continues with the classic musical My Fair Lady opening July 21-31.

The Lerner and Loewe masterpiece My Fair Lady brings to life Eliza Doolittle, an uncommon Cockney flower girl who is taken under the tutelage of the arrogant Henry Higgins as he attempts to teach her proper diction and pass her off as a lady. According to the show's director Michael Rothhaar "My Fair Lady is the gold standard of Broadway musicals and an honest to goodness fairy tale." The delightful score includes audience favorites "I Could Have Danced All Night," "On the Street Where You Live," "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," "Get Me to the Church on Time," and so many others.

Ms. Lindsie VanWinkle plays Eliza Doolittle in the Lyceum Theatre's production of My Fair Lady. She first performed Eliza at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina. Ms. VanWinkle's Off-Broadway credits include playing Mrs. Pinkerton in Pinkalicious, Mary O'Neary in Buddy's Tavern, Kayla in The Cure and Pixley in The Language or the Kiss. Lindsie's other regional theatre credits include Eponine in Les Miserables, Young Belle in Little Me, Jane Eyre in Jane Eyre and Percy in The Spitfire Grill.

Michael McKenzie will be making his Lyceum debut playing the imperious Henry Higgins. Michael appeared on Broadway in Waiting in the Wings, The Man Who Came to Dinner and Eastern Standard. Off-Broadway he was in Kari Floren's Voices of Swords and If Wishes Were Horses, and toured for two seasons with John Houseman's The Acting Company. Mr. McKenzie's extensive regional stage credits include Pittsburgh Public, Pioneer Theater, Hartford Stage, Olney Theatre and the Goodman to name a few. Film and Television credits include Kidnapped, Law & Order, As The World Turns, Chicago Hope, Babes, All My Children, and many episodes of Babylon 5.

The part of co-conspirator Colonel Pickering will be played by Lyceum alumni Richert Easley. Mr. Easley was last seen on the Lyceum stage in 2006 as the inspiring Morrie in Tuesdays With Morrie. Most recently he appeared as Mr. Woodhouse in the musical Emma at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Mr. Easley's Broadway credits include an acclaimed revival of Porgy and Bess, and Oh! Calcutta! Richert is a veteran of many regional theatres throughout the United States.

Eric Van Tielen makes his Lyceum debut as Freddy Eysndford-Hill. Recently, Eric finished the National Tour of Fiddler on the Roof playing Fyedka. He made his Broadway debut with the musical adaptation of A Tale of Two Cities. For several years Mr. Van Tielen performed with the Utah Shakespearean Festival in such roles as Cornelius in Matchmaker, and Sir Lionel in Camelot among others.

Drew Taylor will be playing the role of Alfred P. Doolittle. Drew most recently appeared in the World Premiere production of Take Two at Northern Stage in Vermont. He was a member of the original Broadway cast of The Sweet Smell of Success. Mr. Taylor has performed in the National Tours of Annie, Doctor Dolittle, Oliver, Gigi and Can-Can. His other theatre credits include The History Boys (Northern Stage), High Button Shoes (Goodspeed), Funny Girl (Papermill), Anything Goes (Westchester Broadway), All About Us (Westport Playhouse). Film/TV: Great Expectations, Ransom, One Life To Live, The Guiding Light. The Emmy winning Independent film The Replacement Child (Sundance Festival).

Completing the cast are Peggy Billo, Anne Marie Bills, Alana Barragan-Scott, Trevor Belt, Lincoln Ward, Harold L. Hynick, Lauren Motil, Amber Hurd, Shinah McLean, Michael J. Richardson, Michael Brennan, Larry Bernard, Mason McCloud and Theresa Hermann.

Chris has been active in the local theatre scene for over 30 years. In addition to his acting work, he's also contributed as a director, writer and composer. Though, initially a film buff, he grew tired of the sanitized, PG-13 rated blockbusters that were being continually shoved down his throat by the studios. An opportunity to review theatre in St. Louis has grown exponentially with the sudden explosion of venues and talent in the region. He now finds himself obsessed with witnessing those precious, electric moments that can only happen live, on stage.

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