I've often thought, wouldn’t it be loverly if there were a day dedicated to musical theatre besides "Tony Awards Sunday"? I mean a real day, decreed by a President or a King, that is all about musicals.
Well, today, May 20, comes as close as I'm going to get (for now). When gritty flower seller Eliza Doolittle takes on the condescending Henry Higgins in her Act One My Fair Lady song "Just You Wait," she imagines all kinds of revenge on the grammarian — going so far as to seek his execution, but I digress.
Eliza goes on: "One evening the king will say, 'Oh, Liza, old thing - I want all of England your praises to sing. Next week on the twentieth of May, I proclaim Liza Doolittle Day!'"
So, in honor of Eliza, speak properly, carry yourself like a proper lady (or gentleman) and get outside and do the Ascot Gavotte.