Cedarville's stage performed "My Fair Lady" for a full house the past two weekends. A feeling of great expectation lingered upon Cedarville's finest actors, singers and dancers in this particular musical because the tickets depleted so quickly.

Eager to accommodate the leftover crowd, the cast and crew of "My Fair Lady" opened an impromptu matinee on Thursday, Feb. 12, in addition to the performance they would have later that night.

They did not disappoint.

With the aid of the elaborate 1912 sets in London, England, the play transported the college students of 2009 into paupers on the street and royals at the races.

Under the direction of Rebecca Baker, the story performed by the My Fair Lady cast appealed to the audience in such a way to make them laugh from their guts, tap their feet, mouth the familiar words, "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain," and forget all about the world of studying and exams they had left behind.

The premise of the musical lied in Professor Henry Higgins, played by Grant C. Hansen, who took on the project of transforming Eliza Doolittle, as played by Hannah Endres, from a street flower girl to a sophisticated lady. As the musical progressed, it was clear that this play was not just another love story, but a lesson in respect, poverty, discrimination and the worth of a person.

The most impressive aspect of "My Fair Lady" was that it was multifaceted. The Cedarville Theater contributed their gifts in such a way to entertain and expose the faulty human condition, but also to provide the audience a chance to give back.

Alpha Psi Omega, Cedarville's student theatre organization, used "My Fair Lady" to coordinate with Citilookout, a non-profit, faith-based counseling agency in Springfield. Collections of food and household items from the audience will go to this shelter to aid those who need it most in the area.

The participants of the show were clearly excited about it. "It was fabulous to be involved in a show that took the issues portrayed on the stage and acted upon them with the partnership with Citilookout," said Katy Russell, a member of the chorus.

The cast and crew showed their desire to glorify God from the stage. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." "My Fair Lady" did just that with its quality of excellence, depth of issues and servant's heart.