WASHINGTON (AP) — A reinterpretation of the musical “My Fair Lady” is opening at Arena Stage with a diverse cast that includes new and familiar faces for Washington theater audiences.

The production is directed by Arena Artistic Director Molly Smith and has its opening Thursday night. It first opened at the Shaw Festival in Canada last summer, setting box office records.

Canadian actor Benedict Campbell stars as Professor Henry Higgins, and Manna Nichols plays Eliza Doolittle in her first show at Arena. Actor Nicholas Rodriguez returns to Arena as Freddy Eynsford-Hill after his role as Curley in “Oklahoma!”

Smith says the cast reflects London in 1912 with a mix of races and cross-cultural ties.

The production is based on “Pygmalion” by George Bernard Shaw. It runs through Jan. 6 at Arena’s Fichandler Stage.

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