Higgins in Harlem Makes Its World Premiere

New York might only be two hours away, but this weekend – in a world premiere event – New York came to Hartford.

Lawrence Thelen, a Connecticut playwright, premiered his latest script “Higgins in Harlem” at Playhouse on Park in West Hartford on Friday night.

The play is set in Harlem in the late 1930s, the end of the cultural and creative explosion known as the Harlem Renaissance. And while the play follows George Bernard Shaw’s classic tale of Pygmalion, it adds a cultural twist.

Henry Higgins, played by Kevyn Morrow, is a professor and academic who makes a living studying phonetics. He meets Eliza Doolittle, portrayed by Geri-Nikole Love, and makes a bet that he can turn this lowly girl from the city streets into a well-spoken New York socialite.

The script tackles modern interpretations of themes, including social class and gender, complete with well-choreographed transitions, meticulous lighting and the jazz and energy the Renaissance is known for.

Higgins in Harlem delivers on its promise to be a fresh and entertaining reinvention of a theatrical masterpiece.

The play runs through March 23. For more information visit: the Plahouse on Park Web site.

 

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