The Denver Center Theater Company

"...Aye don' wan' naoh truck wif 'im!"

Annette Bening as Eliza Doolittle

.."Have a Chocolate, Eliza??"..

Byron Jennings as Henry Higgins

It was a great joy in my career to work with the many talented people assembled by Donovan Marley and Randall Myler. Their first production after assuming office starred quite frankly, one of the most gifted actors I have ever worked on stage with. Annette Bening played superbly in one of Bernard Shaw's most taxing female roles. Seen here with the amazing Byron Jennings, she gave character depth which I have not seen the like of before or since. In my role of the "Taximan", I chided Eliza for her somewhat pretentious behavior toward Higgins. Also in the ensemble was Michael Winters as a very funny Alfred Doolittle and the versatile Kay Doubleday who remains a member of the rep company. I was to see Byron again in "St. Joan" during Season '87 while working in "Desire Under The Elms". He co-starred with the equally gifted Carolyn McCormick (Lyn) who played the title role. Lyn is currently seen on spots for "Nicoderm CQ" and played 'Minuet', Riker's ideal woman on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

I was delighted when they all joined together again during Season '99 for Annette's return to the stage at the Geffen Playhouse (Los Angeles) in Ibsen's "Hedda Gabler". I attended the Aprill 11 matinee and while not a big Ibsen fan Annette, Byron and Lyn really 'tore it up' as I knew they would.

on winning a LONG overdue Golden Globe for "Being Julia" as Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical 2004

Annette took the Screen Actor's Guild award among others for her role in "American Beauty" and has long been deserving of great accolades. You 're da BEST Miss Annette!

Donovan Marley's visionary set is shown here depicting the rise of avarice in old New England.
Even though an old farmer's legacy is farmland that is ultimately barren, it still creates stars in the eyes of his family who struggle desperately for affluence and means. Marley decided to symbolically frame his staging in the trappings of industrial capitalism. This production toured Japan for the last half of its run. The DCTC has now branched out into four additional complexes from the time I was with them. It has broken new ground in theater with its "Prima Facie" playwright's program and has since taken its first Tony Award.