12 october 2026 Broadway Atmosphere With "My Fair Lady" On Tuesday
On October 13 at 7:00 PM, the stage of the Burgas State Opera will host an exciting encounter with the dazzling Broadway musical *My Fair Lady*. Audiences can look forward to a whirlwind of high spirits—fueled by lively banter, relatable life stories, and fateful twists—alongside beautiful visuals and the promise of a touch of weekday magic. Conducted by the renowned Ivan Kozhuharov, this production of the world-famous musical has enjoyed three years of success on stages in Burgas, Sofia, Stara Zagora, Ruse, and Varna. In the coming months, audiences in Sliven, Shumen, and Gabrovo will also have the opportunity to experience this captivating story and hear its magnificent score, featuring numerous hit melodies that have become genre standards. Created according to the finest traditions of the classic musical, the production is top-tier—boasting a Broadway flair, masterful direction, stunning set design, exquisite costumes, stylish choreography, and, of course, brilliant performers.
The enthusiastic reception the show has received in various Bulgarian cities is a clear indicator of the production's success and its ability to convey its underlying messages to a wide audience. This production, featuring music by Frederick Loewe and directed by Prof. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev, combines the best of tradition with a distinctive creative signature. The musical has undoubtedly left a vivid and stirring mark on the history of the Burgas State Opera’s repertoire—a success that has led to the continuation of its stage run.
The full beauty and impact of Prof. Dr. Tekeliev’s production—currently featured exclusively in the Burgas Opera’s schedule—will shine with renewed brilliance under the baton of renowned conductor Ivan Kozhuharov. Kozhuharov is the recipient of this year’s Burgas Municipality Award (presented on the occasion of May 24th) in recognition of his remarkable creative career and his creation of memorable productions. Based on George Bernard Shaw’s play *Pygmalion*, this work is one of the most frequently performed musicals worldwide; its plot is not only entertaining but also offers a much-needed touch of romance and life philosophy—enduring more than 60 years after the premiere of the famous film hit *My Fair Lady* (starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison), which won multiple Academy Awards and Golden Globes. From the very first chords and the lavish stage design—immersing the audience in the unique atmosphere of London’s Covent Garden—we witness the beginning of a romance between flower girl Eliza Doolittle and phonetics professor Henry Higgins, a story born of misunderstandings and fateful twists of fate. Viewers will follow a captivating transformation involving attitudes, expectations, and behavior, as rigid conventions are shattered and social myths dismantled. Above all, they will share in a beautiful, modern fairy tale about the romantic aura of love—a love that transcends snobbish prejudices. The enthralling plot moves to the Professor’s home, where Eliza undergoes a metamorphosis from a flower girl with a dreadful dialect and rough manners into a refined lady, unconditionally accepted by high society at the Buckingham Palace ball—the result of a wager between Professor Higgins and Colonel Pickering and six months of intensive training. Naturally, the romantic tale concludes with a happy and meaningful ending, as befits any fairy tale...
On October 13 at 7:00 PM, a top-tier production will unfold—scene by scene, reminiscent of a Hollywood film from the "good old days"—under the visionary direction of Prof. Dr. Alexander Tekeliev, a man who has repeatedly proven himself to be a modern thinker and innovator. Every element of *My Fair Lady* is executed with professional excellence: the direction and the brilliant overall aesthetic—featuring set design by Ivan Tokadzhiev and elegant choreography by Prof. Dr. Anna Pampulova (ranging from the sophisticated Buckingham Palace ball scenes to the spirited, emotionally charged street sequences); and the impressive array of over 200 costumes—designed by Yana Dvoretska—notable for both their variety and distinctive visual style. The chorus—tasked with both vocal and dramatic roles—is led by conductor Alexander Chepanov; Lina Peeva serves as assistant director, and Vanya Zlateva as concertmaster.
Under the baton of distinguished conductor Ivan Kozhuharov, the cast—a constellation of talented soloists, chorus members, and ballet dancers brimming with creative enthusiasm, alongside the orchestra musicians—will once again deliver a captivating performance on October 13th. The duo of Ilina Mihaylova and guest artist Marcho Apostolov—appearing as Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins—will once again bring a dynamic, electrifying energy to the Burgas stage. Their onstage chemistry is so organic that the audience sometimes forgets they are watching a theatrical performance, while the parallels to real life are woven in naturally and directed with great skill. The operatic basses Petar Tiholov and Diman Panchev—in the roles of Colonel Pickering and Alfred Doolittle—will be outstanding.
Bass singers Petar Tiholov and Diman Panchev—cast as Colonel Pickering and Alfred Doolittle—will deliver powerful stage performances, each embodying a distinct persona: the refined gentleman with aristocratic manners versus his complete opposite, the "homespun philosopher" Doolittle—a man who loves to embrace both women and bottles, yet finds an unexpected gift awaiting him from fate. The wonderful tenor Yani Nikolov takes on the role of Freddy Hill, the impulsive, lighthearted young man madly in love with Eliza. The song he sings to declare his love beneath her balcony is one of the most famous in the musical genre, and he performs it magnificently—with tenderness, a warm message, and beautifully crafted phrasing. Irina Dobrovolskaya, as Mrs. Pearce, once again exudes the aura of a true British lady—strict in principle and unshakeable in morality, yet possessing a gentle, kind heart. All the other performers also bring genuine delight to their roles: the charming drunkards Harry (Georgi Bozveliev) and Jamie (Miroslav Dimitrov), and the Pub Landlord (Emil Peychev); as well as Stefka Hristozova, playing Henry Higgins’s aristocratic mother—a figure akin to a "good fairy" amidst the complex dynamic between her son (a confirmed bachelor) and his pupil, Eliza Doolittle. Shmilena Sultanova – as the dignified Mrs. Hill, mother of Freddy Hill, the young man hopelessly in love with Eliza; Northerner – Milen Georgiev, Southerner – Bozhidar Kmetov, Westerner – Milen Dinolov, Mrs. Hopkins – Darina Zapryanova, Queen – Kalina Popova, Ambassador – Aleksandar Perperiev.
High standards of performance are also expected from the orchestra musicians—who play Frederick Loewe’s score with evident pleasure—as well as the ballet dancers, who are equally convincing and captivating in both the waltz and the street dances, and the chorus members, who portray both England’s high society and the street crowd keeping a watchful eye on their acquaintances. The technical production of *My Fair Lady*—sound, lighting, and the overall visual presentation featuring multimedia effects—is also of the highest quality.
The rights for this latest production by the Burgas State Opera have been secured through Concord Theatricals.
MY FAIR LADY is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk
Tickets: at the Opera box office, the "Chasovnika" (The Clock) Ticket Center, and via Grabo.bg and Eventim.BG.