Eliza Doolittle (Mindy Lym) and Henry Higgins [Kit Wilder) tango to the “The Rain in Spain.” Photo by David Allen.

The battle of the sexes passionately parallels the class struggle in Lerner and Loewe’s sensational My Fair Lady, adapted from George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion. Great performances and tech are bolstered by razor-sharp directing in Foothill Music Theatre’s current production. Scaled to fit into the brand new, mid-size (150 seats) Lohman Theatre at Foothill College, there’s certainly a whole lot of show going on!

When Professor Higgins bets Colonel Pickering that he can transform any peasant girl into a duchess merely through improving her speech, flower girl Eliza Doolittle begins her Cinderella story. London’s class structure takes a playful poke as Eliza eventually learns her phonetics and befuddles the realm’s highest mucky-mucks. Add an unlikely love story that borders on a kind of hostage syndrome, with witty dialogue and a magnificent score, and you get a delightful night at the theatre.

Audiences can’t help but root for the indomitable Eliza (portrayed by Mindy Lym) as she eventually squares off against the abominable Henry Higgins (Kit Wilder). Lym morphs by leaps and bounds from the whiny flower girl into a beautiful and extremely articulate young lady. Her performance shines with subtle expressions, a lovely face and a gorgeous singing voice. With precise movements, Wilder swaggers cockily as the Professor and dutifully speak-sings each song (is this a tradition or requirement?)  Strong performances are also rendered by Todd Wright as Alfred Doolittle, Jane Seaman as Mrs. Higgins, John Musgrove as Colonel Pickering, and Linda Piccone as Mrs. Pearce. And especially endearing is Mike Earley as Freddy Eynsford-Hill when he croons “On the Street Where You Live.”

How in the world could the multi-location, big-sound musical My Fair Lady possibly squeeze itself into a 150-seat theatre? Thanks to the directing genius of Jay Manley, it does. Swift pacing and strong visuals keep the fun coming. Taking advantage of the more intimate theatre, the audience is treated to more naturalism and subtlety than a huge Broadway house may permit. Tyler Risk’s choreography consistently delivers a big show feel, only occasionally looking crowded. Especially fun is the simple but effective staging of “Ascot Gavotte.” Musical Director Mark Hanson works well with stars and chorus alike, aptly capturing the dynamics from wistful love song to full-ensemble numbers. Whimsical costuming by Julie Engelbrecht garners spontaneous applause throughout the show. And the highly-mobile set design by Joe Ragey features solid scenic pieces that instantly sweep the audience through time and space.

 The scaled-down two-piano arrangement by Trude Rittman (the show’s original dance orchestrator) works beautifully with many of the songs. The two onstage pianos are a bold visual statement that quickly blends into the world of the play. But the lack of a fuller orchestration makes for an overture that is waited through rather than reveled in. Onstage throughout, Sylvia Chen and Matt Hohensee perform with tireless aplomb. Excellent work.

This spunky production of My Fair Lady commemorates the inauguration of the Lohman Theatre, named after Betty Anne Lohman, an important advocate of theatre arts at Foothill College.  Mid-sized theatres are rare in the Bay Area, and this flexible space is a very welcome addition. Foothill Music Theatre and director Jay Manley are synonymous with Great Theatre!  And this sterling production of My Fair Lady keeps that legend strong.  Check it out.  It’s absolutely loverly!

My Fair Lady will continue until March 16 at Foothill College’s Lohman Theatre, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. Tickets ($10 to $24) are available by phone at (650) 949-7360 or online at www.foothillmusicals.com.