He's stunningly good opposite Benanti. Her vocals only make his seem that much better, and he's a fine singer (the whole company seems to rise to meet Benanti's exquisite handling of the score, and she is glorious). I disagree with the Times' Green; the show doesn't feel "lighter" without Ambrose only different. In many ways, Benanti feels even more like Haddon-Paton's peer, and the first act has a different poignancy -- Eliza is very much a grown woman -- which raises the stakes; opportunity will never knock -- or at least approach her door -- quite like this again. (I realize many posted similar thoughts about the more mature Eliza of Ambrose; it just seems more pronounced with Benanti, whose elegant bearing means even the costumes serve her differently; I believe her "Show Me" ensembles is different, as is her ball gown. Not sure.) But as Green notes, Harris is more persuasively his mum. At 91, she is indeed the best Mrs. Higgins I've seen.
The production's a beauty, and I'm still on the fence about the now infamous ending. No real strong feelings. |
