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Phil Picardi

'My Fair Lady' began its record run 60 years ago

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Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison
Rex Harrison as Henry Higgins and Julie Andrews as Eliza Doolittle are shown in a scene from "My Fair Lady" at the Mark Hellinger Theater in New York City, March 1956.
AP 1956

"My Fair Lady" opened on Broadway 60 years ago today.

The musical was based on George Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion."

On opening night, Rex Harrison was so unnerved by the prospect of singing with a live orchestra that he refused to come out of his dressing room and the performance was nearly called off.

He finally agreed to go on stage and began performing in a show that would break the record for the longest run on Broadway.