Matthew M. Ryder as Georg and Michelle Anaya as Amalia in a scene from "She Loves Me" at the Players Theatre. CLIFF ROLES PHOTO/PLAYERS THEATRE
Everytime I see “She Loves Me” I wonder why more people haven’t fallen in love with this charming musical.
Maybe with the joyous and beautifully sung production at the Players Theatre directed by Bob Trisolini, more people will be cast under the spell of this show about bickering co-workers who don’t realize they’re really falling in love.
With a score by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock (who also wrote “Fiddler on the Roof") and a book by Joe Masteroff (“Cabaret"), “She Loves Me” is a sweet and fun confection from the opening “Good Morning, Good Day,” when you quickly realize you’re in good hands vocally. It just gets better from there.
Michelle Anaya and Matthew M. Ryder have an awkward date in a cafe in "She Loves Me" at the Players Theatre. CLIFF ROLES PHOTO/PLAYERS THEATRE
This is a show that doesn’t rely on high-tech wizardry. Jeff Weber’s sets are, like one of the songs says, pleasing to the eye and functional. Instead, it builds a connection with the audience through the characters, the staff at Maraczek’s Parfumerie in Hungary in 1938.
The focus is on chief sales clerk George Nowack and the shop’s new assistant, Amalia Balash, who is hired one day by sheer force of will and improvisation. The two clash almost instantly, but don’t realize that they’re already on their way to falling in love from the letters they’ve been exchanging, anonymously, for months. It’s just a matter of time before they discover the truth.
Matthew M. Ryder as George, makes his area debut in a charming style as a stiff, slightly awkward and insecure man, who sings with feeling and an infectious joy in the title song. And he has a nice rapport with Michelle Anaya who is sweet and a little brittle as Amalia. She reveals a beautiful soprano voice that soars on such delights as “Dear Friend” and “Vanilla Ice Cream.”
Michelle Anaya, left, and Sue Cole play colleagues in a Hungarian cosmetics shop in the Players Theatre production of "She Loves Me." CLIFF ROLES PHOTO/PLAYERS THEATRE
They are supported by some terrific colleagues including Ken Basque as Sipos, who tries to stay out of trouble to keep his job; the serial playboy Kodaly played by Peter Salefsky; and AJ Cali, who is adorable as a delivery boy ready to move up in the world.
Bob Turoff returns to the stage with an easy manner as Mr. Maraczek, the shop owner going through some personal troubles. And Sue Cole gives one of her finest performances as the cashier lona Ritter. She sounds strong singing “A Trip to the Library” as she keeps her hopes for love alive, even while making some bad choices.
They’re surrounded by a chorus of ensemble members who play customers and patrons at a romantic restaurant where a tango gets a little out of control.
Ken Basque, left, and AJ Cali keep on eye on a budding romance between two colleagues in a scene from the Players Theatre production of "She Loves Me." CLIFF ROLES PHOTO/PLAYERS THEATRE
Trisolini, who co-choreographed the show with Vanessa Russo, keeps it all moving with only a few moments that drag in some dialogue scenes. Jared Walker’s costumes provide a sense of period and character and Brian D. Frey’s lighting works toward colorful moods (bright orange for autumn, for example) that looked a bit extreme at times during Wednesday’s final preview performance. That night there were also some issues with sound balance that made it difficult to hear the fun counterpoint in “I Don’t Know His Name.”
The music gives life and spirit to the show, and it’s played by a surprisingly small but distinct orchestra led by new musical director Teresa O’Connell who brings out a lot of feeling and sound.
“She Loves Me” may not change the world, but it’s nice to get swept up in a bit of comedic romance and forget your troubles once in a while.
THEATER REVIEW
SHE LOVES ME
Book by Joe Masteroff, music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. Directed and co-choreographed by Bob Trisolini. Reviewed Dec. 2, Players Theatre, 838 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Through Dec. 20. Tickets are $25, $30 for premium seating and $12 for students. For more information: 941-365-2494; theplayers.org
