By Katherine Beeson
Is it possible for two people, who barely tolerate each other at work, to be falling in love through anonymous letters?
That is the question to be answered in Sunset Playhouse’s holiday musical, “She Loves Me.” This story is familiar; it’s based on the movie “The Shop around the Corner,” which was based on the original play “Parfumerie” by Mikos Lazlos (and which also inspired the movie “In the Good Old Summertime” AND the rom-com “You’ve Got Mail.)” This production is directed by Karl Miller with Mark Mrozek as musical director. The fabulous set was designed by Matthew Carr.
The premise: It is Budapest, 1934. Georg (Sam Scherrer) and Amalia (Eliza Lambert) are working at Maraczek’s, a shop that specializes in perfumes, lotions and the like. They don’t seem to get along in real life, but, as it turns out, both have responded to a Lonely Hearts advertisement and have established a close relationship through a series of cloaked “Dear Friend” letters. The situation gets more complicated – almost disastrous -- as these two friends decide to meet at a romantic café.
They are not the only people with romantic problems, however. Marasczek himself (Cory Klein) finds out his wife is having an affair with one of his employees; another store clerk with a heart of gold, Iiona, (Megan Rose Miller) is trying to maintain her complicated romance with Kodaly, a co-worker with a roving eye (Keith R. Smith) and, finally, energetic messenger boy Arpad (Jacob Cesar) is busy trying to convince the boss that he should be promoted to clerk. The main cast is rounded out with Matthew Matysik as Sipos (clerk and friend to Georg.) This musical is a true ensemble and each character has a short narrative song that advances the plot and explains their backstories. It’s also fun to see that no matter what the characters are experiencing in their lives, the entire sales force snaps to attention and breaks into song to thank a departing customer.
A few cameo performances deserve shout-outs. Two dancers (Becky Cofta and Clayton R. Irwin) enhance the atmosphere of the romantic café with a sensuous tango (beautifully choreographed by SaraLynn Evenson.) Bringing humor to what turns out to be a stressful situation is the café’s waiter/owner, played by Jack Lynch. Lynch is laugh out-loud funny as he vainly tries to maintain the decorum of the place he proclaims is a “rendezvous for lovers” while desperately trying to have Amalia and Georg take their growing argument outside. (Georg sits down while Amalia protests that she is saving the seat for someone special.)
One tiny disappointment; there is only one tune that people will recognize from this show and that is the title song. Georg sings it after a certain wonderful encounter and, while Scherrer does a nice job with it, he could have done so much more. He has the entire stage to himself, his character just made a surprising discovery; his delivery should convey this delight and happiness. At this point the audience was ready for this song and Scherrer could have had them in the palm of his hand.
This is a cute story – this musical opened on Broadway in 1963 and has enjoyed several revivals. Sunset’s production carries all the light-hearted charm from beginning to end.
“She Loves Me” is a delightful night at the theater. It runs through December 19.