• "I was simply left with one thought about Geiser’s work: 'By George, I think they’ve got it!'"

    The Chicago Reader

  • "More than just a clever riff on a classic, this play offers a fresh, original dialogue about gender and the world we're living in today."

    Cheryl Coons

  • "Geiser’s biting adaptation of Shaw speaks so eloquently to this moment. You may catch yourself holding back laughter or rolling your eyes with Pickering scene after scene until the final curtain."

    The Chicago Reader

The Pyg Hypothesis

In this adaptation of Shaw’s Pygmalion, naively misogynistic Elijah finds himself in the middle of a philosophical quandary at the hands of Dr. Harriet Higgins and Professor Quinn Pickering. The hypothesis: A person can change their nature only once they are willing to change their manners. Vowing to reform the sheltered man's views in just a month, however, brings to light the flaws in Higgins' own nature. If she refuses to change her strait-laced manners, she risks her relationships, family structure, and, ultimately, her way of life.

The Pyg Hypothesis premiered at Theatre Above the Law in 2025 and was recommended for a Joseph Jefferson Award.

Cast: 7

Estimated run time: 90 minutes, no intermission

Content: comedy, adaptation, feminism, teenage character

(L-R) Elliot Lockshine as Elijah, Abby Gilster as Higgins, and Sarah Wisterman as Pickering. Photo by Tyler Core

(L-R) Elliot Lockshine as Elijah, Abby Gilster as Higgins, and Sarah Wisterman as Pickering. Photo by Tyler Core

Bella La Bove as Claire. Photo by Tyler Core

Bella La Bove as Claire. Photo by Tyler Core

(L-R) Abby Gilster as Higgins and Sarah Wisterman as Pickering. Photo by Tyler Core

(L-R) Abby Gilster as Higgins and Sarah Wisterman as Pickering. Photo by Tyler Core

Elliot Lockshine as Elijah. Photo by Tyler Core

Elliot Lockshine as Elijah. Photo by Tyler Core

(L-R) Sarah Wisterman as Pickering, Abby Gilster as Higgins, and Eric James Norman as Al. Photo by Tyler Core

(L-R) Sarah Wisterman as Pickering, Abby Gilster as Higgins, and Eric James Norman as Al. Photo by Tyler Core

(L-R) Abby Gilster as Higgins and Sarah Wisterman as Pickering. Photo by Tyler Core

(L-R) Abby Gilster as Higgins and Sarah Wisterman as Pickering. Photo by Tyler Core

Abby Gilster as Higgins. Photo by Tyler Core

Abby Gilster as Higgins. Photo by Tyler Core

(L-R) Abby Gilster as Higgins, Elliot Lockshine as Elijah, and Sarah Wisterman as Pickering. Photo by Tyler Core

(L-R) Abby Gilster as Higgins, Elliot Lockshine as Elijah, and Sarah Wisterman as Pickering. Photo by Tyler Core