Rex Harrison (left) and Audrey Hepburn in “My Fair Lady,” Warner Brother’s 1964 take on “Pygmalion.” image via IMDB.

Most people have seen or at least heard of My Fair Lady, the 1964 movie-musical in which snobbish linguist Henry Higgins bets he can teach spunky, low-born flower girl Eliza Doolittle to pass as a lady in high society–before they fall in love.

What many don’t know is that My Fair Lady is a romanticized (i.e. Hollywoodized) interpretation of Pygmalion, the 1913 play by Irish playwright, critic and political activist George Bernard Shaw.

If Wikipedia is to be believed, My Fair Lady is only the most recent attempt to put a happy spin on a story that was supposed to be funny, yes, but also engage critically with issues of class privilege, social performance and women’s rights. The Pasadena Playhouse‘s new version of Pygmalion returns to the play’s gritty roots. See this latest iteration of the still-too-relevant story any Tuesday through Sunday until April 12 at the Playhouse, located at 39 S. El Molino Avenue.

Going Metro to The Pasadena Playhouse is easy. The Metro Gold Line Lake Station is just a 10 minute walk away, and bus line 180 stops at Colorado/Madison, just a few steps from the theater. Plus, those who take transit to the show can save 20% on tickets with a special online promo code for Metro riders. Check out our Destination Discounts page for all the details, as well as other locations around Los Angeles where you can #TAPandSave. We hope you enjoy the show!