NORWICH – Learning both Cockney and proper British accents, acting much older and learning to waltz are just some of the challenges the cast of Norwich High School’s upcoming musical, “My Fair Lady,” had to surpass.
According to music teacher and play director Mark Sands, the effort was worth enduring. “The cast worked very hard and did an awesome job,” he said.
Audiences will witness for themselves as the show is presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 4 and 5, and again at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 6 in the school’s auditorium on Midland Avenue.
This is Sands’ fourth encounter with the Broadway smash hit, and he’ll be the first to say it isn’t his favorite. (He played the violin in the pit the first three times, as he will again this weekend.) However, after considering the show’s many popular musical numbers, “Wouldn’t it be Loverly,” “With A Little Bit of Luck,” “The Rain in Spain,” “I Could have Danced all Night”, “On the Street Where You Live,” “Get Me to the Church on Time” and others, he said he knew that he had to produce it. 
“My Fair Lady” is based on the George Bernard Shaw play “Pygmalion.” It was one of the longest running shows of its time, opening on March 15, 1956 and playing 2,717 performances. The play made Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews famous, and later, Audrey Hepburn, who starred in the movie adaptation.   
Several of the principal cast members said they watched the movie at least twice to get a feel for their roles – except for sophomore Chris Kappel, who stars in his first leading role on the Norwich High School stage. Kappel said he wanted his character, Henry Higgins, to flow from his own creation. “I watched the film once. I wanted a little bit of Rex Harrison, but worked to create my own character,” he said.
Among many performances, Kappel is perhaps best remembered for his role as Mr. Mushnik in last year’s musical, “Little Shop of Horrors.”
The hardest part was adapting to Henry Higgin’s sexist nature, Kappel said. “It was hard to adapt myself to fit that on stage. Henry’s a very unique character. He’s a person who is very attractive yet at the same time and an arrogant, independent person. And people are drawn to him.”
Senior Ariel Bendixen stars in her first leading role as well, as Eliza Doolittle. Diminutive, dark and expressive, Bendixen looks much like one of her favorite actresses and the star of the 1964 movie, Audrey Hepburn. “Some fellow cast members have said my demeanor and gestures are similar to Hepburn’s,” she said.
But it is Bendixen’s well-trained voice that no doubt earned her the lead role. Her favorite song to perform is, “I Could Have Danced All Night,” because she said she enjoys the flow of the music. Like several members of the cast, Bendixen is a member of several Norwich High School chiors, including the mixed chior, Madrigal Singers and an All County participant. She also plays the violin. She plans to study political economy at Arbor University in Ann Arbor, Mich. in the fall and, later, attend law school.
Henry Higgins’ side-kick Colonel Pickering is played by senior Matt Austin. Audiences would be most familiar with Austin from his portrayal of Seymour in “Little Shop of Horrors,” Lumiere in “Beauty and the Beast,” and Linus in “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown” produced by the Midland Players of Norwich. Of Colonel Pickering’s character, Austin said he is a kid at heart and the epitome of a gentleman at the same time.
Austin said he has been proud to be a part of Sands’ productions. “This is another example that showcases the musical community in a small town like Norwich, New York. It shows that we can put on just as good a quality of show as anywhere.”
The senior said he will miss the chemistry of the cast on stage. “It’s been a lot of fun going from being a freshman on stage and now, after four years, looking at the younger kids and having them look up to you.” Austin said he hopes to study theater in college.
Senior Joy Jerome has participated in several stage performances, both at Norwich High School and in the community, but this year assists Sands as stage manager for “My Fair Lady.” She said the cast has worked hard to get to know their characters and to see through their eyes what the world was like back in the 1920s.
This year’s principal cast members also include Brian Burlew as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, Seth Hathaway as Alfred Doolittle, Laura Cammarn as Mrs. Pearce, Hayley Chwazik-Gee as Mrs. Eynsford-Hill and Katrina Daoud as Mrs. Higgins.  
General admission tickets are $5 and are on sale at First Edition Book Store, The Cafe Connection and Service Pharmacy, Norwich. Tickets will also be available at the door prior to each performance. For more information, call 334-1600 Extension 1163.