She Loves Me is a seasonal treat at Seattle Musical Theatre

Paul Gauger and Jorie Jones in SHE LOVES ME at Seattle Musical Theatre
Photo by Jeff Carpenter

She Loves Me

Based upon Parfumerie by Miklos Laszlo

Book by Joe Masteroff,

Music by Jerry Bock

Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick

Directed by Alan Wilkie

Seattle Musical Theatre

December 4 – 20, 2015

Doug Knoop and Dustyn Moir in She Loves Me at SMT
Photo by Jeff Carpenter

Review by Doug Gochanour

She Loves Me is a musical comedy, centered around two perfume shop sales associates, each setting out to find love through a lonely-hearts dating service. They begin writing to each other anonymously, without realizing that their love interest is actually a person with whom they are feuding at work.

If this plot sounds familiar, you may remember subsequent movies, The Shop Around the Corner, In the Good Old Summertime, and You've Got Mail. They were each inspired by a similar concept.

This story features Georg Nowack, the handsome sales manager, and Amalia Balash, an attractive woman newly hired by the owner, Mr. Maraczek. Georg and Amalia begin to clash immediately, as Georg opposes her hiring. Of course, they never suspect that they are pen-pals. They only believe that their new love letter writer will be perfect for them.

The set design is very well done, moving seamlessly between Maraczek's Parfumerie set in 1930’s Budapest, a fine restaurant, a hospital room, and Amalia’s apartment. The costuming and colors are beautiful. The musicians provide an elegant performance throughout, and the cast does an amazing job with their singing, dancing, and acting.

Laura Medford in She Loves Me at SMT
Photo by Jeff Carpenter

Amalia agrees to meet her new love at the Cafe Imperiale, where the headwaiter tries to maintain a "Romantic Atmosphere." The situation allows for dancing and a bit of slap-stick, as Amalia waits for her amorous correspondent with her book and a rose.

Will Georg identify himself to Amelia? Is there still enough animosity between them to prevent their recognition of the love they might share?

The whole family will enjoy this excellent seasonal treat. It is lively and fun, as we have come to appreciate from the Seattle Musical Theatre.

The Seattle Musical Theatre is located at Magnuson Park, 7120 62nd Ave NE, Seattle 98115. Phone 206-363-2809. Purchase tickets online. Free parking.

This is SMT's 38th season and 152nd production.