San Diego Reader

• Theater
• Solana Beach

Educating Rita

Rita wants to learn "everything." She's a hairdresser eager to break away from her roots and "discover me-self." In Willy Russell's comedy-drama, she plays Eliza Doolittle to Frank's Henry Higgins. Frank's a prof, but unlike sober Henry, drinks like five fish. The play follows a year in the life of their mutual tutorials. The 90-minute first act feels almost as long. Since the end is never in doubt, it lacks conflict (as does much of the shorter Act two). At North Coast Rep, Meghan Andrews and Bjorn Johnson give more than capable performances, though they could stress the arcs more strongly (as could Rita's period costumes, which all look brand new). Marty Burnett opens the new year with a professor's office with comfy deshabille.

• When: Ongoing until Sunday, February 3, 2013
  • Sundays, 2pm & 7pm
  • Wednesdays, 7pm
  • Thursdays, 8pm
  • Fridays, 8pm
  • Saturdays, 2pm & 8pm
• Where: North Coast Repertory Theatre

  987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach, 92075
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