Come See My Fair Lady Performed By Your Friends And Neighbors

A while back, I wrote about my respect for Alfred P. Doolittle, the footloose and fancy free father of Eliza in My Fair Lady, who found his way through life carefree and outside of the expectations of society. And he was happy with his life, but it changed significantly when he was given an endowment by a wealthy fellow from America that caused him to have to give up that unshackled life.

I like to watch the story often, and now, I'll be able to watch the antics of Alfred, and the rest of the cast of the show right here, as the Cedar Valley Community Theatre is performing My Fair Lady this weekend and next week at the Heritage Theater.

And while I'm looking forward to this particular show, I'm equally excited that it is being presented by our local community theatre group.

We're really blessed here in the community to have so much professional theatre offerings. Of course, we know very well the impact and the wonderful experience we have be attending the world renowned Utah Shakespeare Festival. And we've been delighted for years by the performances from The Simon Fest Theatre Company.

But, I have to tell you I have a place in my heart for local theatre companies. Outside of some high school performances, the only time I've been on stage has been through the efforts of community theatre.

Consider the mission statement of the Cedar Valley Community Theatre:

Cedar Valley Community Theatre is a service organization that engages, educates, and inspires by providing opportunities for artistic growth for our neighbors in and around Cedar City and rural Iron County; We create community by bringing people together from all walks of life, showcasing local talent and offering affordable, high quality theatre.

Did you notice the “opportunities for artistic growth for our neighbors” part of the mission statement? I think that's the heart of community theatre.

Involvement in community theatre offers opportunities for personal growth and development. Participants develop confidence, communication skills, teamwork, and creativity through acting, directing, stagecraft, and other roles within the production.

Participating in or attending community theatre productions fosters a sense of belonging and connection among residents. It provides a platform for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together, collaborate, and share their talents and stories.

Community theatre can provide a platform for local voices and stories to be heard. By showcasing productions that reflect the community's unique identity, history, and values, it helps residents celebrate their heritage and express their collective experiences.

If you want to get tickets to My Fair Lady you can purchase them online, or stop by the box office at the Heritage Theater.

Yes, I'm excited to be able to see Alfred and the rest of the characters of the story, but even better, they will be my friends and neighbors.