Released - October 19, 2009

Shaw classic ‘Pygmalion’ next on Eureka College stage

November 17 to 21 - 7:30 PM - pritchard theatre

George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 drama “Pygmalion” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 17 through 21 in Pritchard Theatre at Eureka College.

The play examines the effects of control and transformation, according to theater professor and director William Davis.

The work takes its title from a Greek myth about a sculptor named Pygmalion who creates a statue of a woman that is brought to life, Davis said. “Like the mythical Pygmalion fell in love with the statue he created, phonetics professor Henry Higgins comes close to falling in love with Eliza Doolittle, whom he believes is of his own making,” Davis said. “However, the former Cockney flower girl whom Higgins tutors and calls a ‘draggletailed guttersnipe’ develops into a ‘duchess,’ with her own sense of independence and dignity.” The play was the basis for the popular Broadway musical and film “My Fair Lady.”

Cast as Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins are Kerri Rae Hinman of Tremont and Justin Peters of Pekin, respectively. Others in the cast are Mary Garbett of Georgetown, Ohio, as Higgins’ mother; Alyssa Rhone of Oak Forest as Higgins’ housekeeper; Brandon Hovey of Morton as Higgins’ co-worker Col. Pickering; Scott Herman of Park Ridge as Higgins’ former student Nepommuck; Bradley Gabehart of Streator as Eliza’s father; Alyssa Martin of Peoria as socialite Mrs. Hill; Erin Cochran of Collinsville as Clara Hill; and alumnus Aaron Ruder of Metamora as Eliza’s love interest Freddy Hill. Portraying townspeople are Maryssa Switzer of Magnolia, Jenny Leezer of Toulon and Hollyann Sajko of Eureka.

Assistant director and stage manager is Jessica Whitington of Oakwood.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for students. For reservations, call
(309) 467-6363.

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Contact:

Michele Lehman

Media Relations Coordinator

mlehman@eureka.edu

(309) 467-6318