If you thought you saw maids and finely dressed society women in big hats strolling down Stevens Street last week, you weren't seeing things.
The West Middle School cast of "My Fair Lady," the school's spring musical, walked to Atria Marland Place assisted living facility on May 2 after school to perform selections from their show, which opens this weekend.
Marland Place residents were treated to "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Get me to the Church on Time," "The Rain in Spain," and other favorites from the classic show as the cast of 75 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders sang in full costume.
Eighth-grader Anna Jurek, wearing a floor-length pink dress and matching hat as Eliza Doolittle, was truly lovely as she sang "Wouldn't it be Loverly?" making eye contact and smiling at seniors sitting in the front row. After the performance, the cast mingled and chatted briefly with the Marland seniors before walking back to West Middle for an afternoon rehearsal.
It's an annual tradition for the cast of the school's spring musical to walk to Marland Place and sing for residents, said Gerri Fegan, school librarian and assistant director of "My Fair Lady." The cast has been rehearsing for four months, and the May 2 performance was its first performance for an audience.
"Ask anyone in the cast, and they'll tell you the best part (of the show) is coming here to perform. They so look forward to this," said Fegan, who accompanied the cast on the piano.
As they sang, the students — from those dressed as maids in black and white uniforms to those dressed as gentlemen in tuxedoes — did a few dance steps and choreography with the songs. Fegan and Carol Prasad, the show's music director, accompanied the ensemble on pianos, seventh-grader Clara Kim played the flute and Chris Noce, band director, played the clarinet.
"My Fair Lady" weaves the story of Henry Higgins, a professor of phonetics, and Eliza Doolittle, a poor girl with a strong cockney accent whom Higgins encounters selling flowers in Covent Garden. He makes a bet with a colleague that he can train Eliza to speak properly and pass her off as a duchess.
"It's a good plot. They (Eliza and Higgins) hate each other in the beginning, and in the end, Henry Higgins is really sad when she leaves," said seventh-grader Elena Bird, who plays a maid. "We have a lot of good characters with good voices ... some of the (lead characters) are goofy, so that adds comedy to it."
Elana said she's learned that "it takes a lot of work, a lot of commitment" to put together the show. She auditioned because "My Fair Lady" was her favorite musical growing up.
"I like being able to work with kids who are all really nice, and funny. I like it when the show comes together in the end," she said.
"My Fair Lady" will be performed at West Middle School Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, at 7 p.m. Besides the cast of 75, the show's tech and lighting crews are entirely comprised of middle school students, lead by Bob Willard. West Middle science teacher Kay Levesque is the show's director.
"Next to 'West Side Story,' this is my favorite show. It's really, really funny," said eighth-grader Conrad Krendel-Clark, who plays Alfred P. Doolittle, Eliza's father. "He's the kind of character that can really steal the show, and it's fun to have a cockney accent."
As Conrad concluded the song "I'm Gettin' Married in the Morning" at last week's performance, other boys in the ensemble lifted him up on their shoulders.
Costumes for the show — from formal gowns for the horse race scene to outfits for peddlers from Covent Garden — have been made by West Middle School parents, said Fegan. Despite the show's age (the show's Broadway debut was in 1956), most of the cast had seen the 1964 movie of "My Fair Lady" and were excited to audition.
"It's a wonderful show. It's timeless," said Prasad.
Besides the singing, one of the most challenging things about the show has been getting the cast to master the cockney accent, she said.
"It's a challenge, and we like a challenge," agreed Fegan with a smile.
'Wouldn't it be loverly ...'
r West Middle School's production of the musical "My Fair Lady"
r Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 at 7 p.m.
r West Middle School Auditorium, 70 Shawsheen Road
r Tickets available at Learning Express, the West Middle School office and through cast/crew
r Admission is $6 in advance, $8 at the door
r For information call West Middle School, 978-623-8700
