AROUND THE TABLE—From left, Jennifer Richardson as Eliza Doolittle, Tim Holtwick as Colonel Pickering, Linda Smith as MrsHiggins, John Bowers as Professor Higgins and Brenda Miller as Lady Boxington in the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center's production of "My Fair Lady," playing now until July 12. "My Fair Lady" has traditionally been one of the most difficult Broadway musicals to get right.

The reasons for this have nothing to do with the difficulty of the music (it's relatively easy to play), the set design (also not complicated) or the direction (Alan Jay Lerner's book is nearly foolproof).

The problem with "My Fair Lady" is that the three lead roles— Henry Higgins, Eliza Doolittle and Alfred P. Doolittle—were so welldefined in the initial Broadway run that it's next to impossible to duplicate them.

Faced with this daunting challenge, the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center put on a splendid, dare we say "loverly," version of the classic musicalization of George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion."

The original production was a career-defining moment for actor Rex Harrison. The role of Henry Higgins, the egotistical, misogynistic linguist, was adapted with Harrison in mind.

Realizing that Harrison did not have a particularly good singing voice, composers Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe made it possible for him to "speak-sing" a good portion of his songs.

John McCool Bowers needs no such crutch in the SVCAC production. Possessing a distinctive baritone voice, Bowers is marvelous as Higgins, stuffy and arrogant, where Harrison was merely prissy.

The highlights are his patter songs, in which Higgens muses with exasperation and bluster about male-female relationships ("I'm an Ordinary Man," "Hymn to Him").

Jennifer Richardson disappears into her role as Eliza Doolittle, the "squashed cabbage leaf" of a flower girl, who "hires" Higgins to teach her how to speak proper English. Richardson is so good in the early scenes of the show that her nailsonchalkboard voice makes us sympathize with Higgins' plight.

The critical moment in any actress's portrayal of Eliza comes during the song "The Rain in Spain." Her transformation from her Cockney lower-class roots to a sophisticated lady must be gradual to be believable. In a completely credible and winning performance, Richardson walked this high-wire act without stumbling.

Julie Andrews defined the role of Eliza, and Lerner and Loewe took advantage of her incredible vocal range by writing soaring songs such as "I Could Have Danced All Night." Richardson hit every note squarely.

She also displayed Eliza's feistiness in "Show Me" and "Without You," two songs that prove Eliza to be a worthy exponent of self-righteous feminism at a time (1912 London) when it was rare, if not nonexistent.

The third major character in the show is Eliza's father, Alfred, the ne'erdowell dustman who impresses Higgins with his moralistic philosophizing.

Music Hall star Stanley Holloway capped off a long and successful career playing Alfred, but Donald Melton perfectly captures the joie de vivre of his character. Melton sings his two songs ("With a Little Bit of Luck" and "Get Me to the Church on Time") with distinction and gusto. His bits of stage business—such as making sure a stool in Higgins' neat-as-a-pin parlor is dust-free before he sits down on it—are priceless.

When it's done well, "My Fair Lady," often called "the perfect musical," deserves to be seen again.

"My Fair Lady" continues through July 12. For Gawd's sake, get there on time. For tickets or more information, call (805) 5837900 or visit www.simi-arts.org.