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| By Ellis Shuman January 18, 2002 |
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Mira Awad, a Christian Arab from the village of Rama in the Galilee, was selected to fill the role of Eliza Doolittle in the New Israeli Opera production of Alan Jay Lerner & Fredrick Loewe's "My Fair Lady." Awad, 26, a graduate of the Rimon School of Music in Ramat Hasharon, beat out 119 other candidates to win the part in the musical, which will be staged in Tel Aviv this summer.
Some sixteen years ago, popular singer Rita played Eliza in the previous Israeli production of "My Fair Lady." This time, candidates for the part included singers Sarit Hadad and Haya Samir, children's entertainer Michal Yanai and Irit Anavi. The production team chose to go with the young, unknown Awad, and she will play the simple flower salesgirl who changes into a lady opposite Oded Kotler's portrayal of Professor Henry Higgins.
Awad's story, as reported in Yediot Aharonot, is quite
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"This is the part I've been waiting for"
- Mira Awad
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similar to that of the Eliza Doolittle character she will portray. She was born in the Galilee village; her father was a doctor and her mother was originally from Bulgaria. Awad says she always dreamed of writing music. As a girl, she wrote poems and even formed a band. At the age of 20, she left Rama and began her music studies at the Rimon School.
Three years ago, Awad participated in an Arabic language production of a Nazareth-based theater group, and she also took part in a musical production of the Arab-Hebrew Theater of Jaffa. She recently starred in Yossefa Even-Shoshan's "Briah" (Creation) alongside Victor Attar, which received an "Award of Excellence" when it was presented in October 2001 at the Acco Festival. A reviewer of the play wrote, "Through [Awad's] presence, she creates many moments of theatrical magic."
Alongside Itai Segev, Awad is soon to begin presenting the "Zap" youth program on Channel One television.
"I didn't even know that there were auditions being held," Awad said of the "My Fair Lady" trials. "I think that even if I did know, I would not have gone to the auditions, because I have never done this style before," she said.
Awad dismissed suggestions that political considerations were included in her selection for the part in the musical, and whether the fact that she was Arab would be used in promoting the production. "You can assume that this is so, but in any case, they needed someone who also knows how to sing," she said.
The musical's producer, Moshe Yosef, wanted Rita to stage an encore in her role as Eliza, but Rita backed out at the last minute. Awad said she was too young to see the original production. "I am trying not to think of it in the way that they are saying, as if I have to fill Rita's shoes. I am trying to fill the shoes of Eliza Doolittle, and believe me, they are big enough."
At a press conference last week introducing the cast of the musical, Opera Director Hannah Monitz said that the production was intended to bring a new audience to the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center, permanent home of the New Israeli Opera company.
"My Fair Lady" will be directed by Micha Levinson, based on an updated version of the translation into Hebrew prepared by Dan Almagor over 30 years ago. Also starring in the musical will be Shaike Levy (of the popular music-comedy troupe Hagasashim) and Alex Ansky. The production will include the participation of the Raanana Symphonette Orchestra and some 30 actors, singers and dancers. The musical will premiere on June 22 at the Opera House in Tel Aviv.
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