"Pygmalion" May 29-June 7 at Farmstead Arts Center

The Lord Stirling Theater Company will perform Pygmalion in the English Barn Theater at the Farmstead Arts Center, 450 King George Road, Basking Ridge, NJ. Pygmalion will open on Friday, May 29, at 7:30PM, with additional performances on May 30 at 7:30PM, May 31 at 2:00PM, June 5 and 6 at 7:30PM, and June 7 at 2:00PM. Tickets are $25 general admission, $23 for seniors (65 and over) and students, $20 for Farmstead Arts members, and $15 for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased online at https://farmsteadarts.org/what-we-do/theater.html or at the door (cash only).

The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s bold new staging of George Bernard Shaw’s iconic play about identity, class and the power of language brings fresh energy to Shaw’s razor-sharp wit, illuminating the timeless struggle for self-definition in a world eager to label us.

The story follows Eliza Doolittle (played by Erin Feith of Florham Park), a spirited flower seller whose chance encounter with phonetics expert Professor Henry Higgins (Rick Brown of Verona) sets off a life-changing experiment. As Higgins attempts to mold Eliza into a “proper lady,” she discovers her own voice—one far stronger than he ever anticipated.

Directed by Ruth Otterburn of Bloomfield, this production blends period charm with contemporary resonance, highlighting the play’s humor while underscoring its enduring social critique.

Additional cast members include (in order of appearance): Christie Storms of Westfield as Clara Eynsford-Hill, Julianne DiPietro of West Orange as Mrs. Eynsford-Hill, Amy Lewis of Basking Ridge as Sadie the Parlor Maid, Matt Marino of Bernardsville as Freddy Eynsford-Hill, Jim Quickstad of Berkeley Heights as Colonel Pickering, Eileen McShane of Bernardsville as Mrs. Pearce, Eric Williams of Mount Tabor as Alfred Doolittle, and Stacey Petricha of Stirling as Mrs. Higgins.

“Pygmalion is a comedy that bites,” says director Ruth Otterburn. “It’s funny, fierce, and deeply human—and Eliza’s journey feels more relevant than ever.”

The Lord Stirling Theater Company’s past productions at the Farmstead Arts Center include The Hound of the Baskervilles, She Stoops to Conquer, Black Coffee, The Wisdom of Eve, A Murder Is Announced, Blithe Spirit, Ken Ludwig’s Leading Ladies, Cobb, Dracula, The Importance of Being Earnest, Treasure Island, Othello, Arsenic and Old Lace, Of Mice and Men, And Then There Were None, The Dresser, Frankenstein’s Fate, The Tempest, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. A number of productions have received NJACT Perry Award recognition, including Black Coffee (2025 nominations for Outstanding Production, Supporting Actress, and Featured Actress), A Murder Is Announced (2024 nomination for Featured Actor), Leading Ladies (2023 award for Outstanding Properties and nomination for Featured Actress), Cobb (2022 award for Outstanding Stage Management and nominations for Supporting Actor and Sound Design), Dracula (2020 nomination for Lead Actor), The Importance of Being Earnest (2019 award for Outstanding Costume Design and nominations in six other categories, includingOutstanding Production), and Arsenic and Old Lace (2018 nomination for Featured Actress).

A dynamic community of creative artists based in Basking Ridge, The Lord Stirling Theater Company is committed to presenting innovative theater for diverse audiences, through readings and full productions of classical theater and new works. For more information, visit our website at www.lordstirlingtheater.com.

The English Barn Theater is wheelchair accessible. Anyone anticipating the need for additional accessibility services please send an e-mail in advance to farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com. The barn is neither heated nor air conditioned; please dress accordingly.

This event has been made possible, in part, by funds from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, a partner of the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.