Photo Flash: First Look at SHE LOVES ME at Chance Theater

Chance Theater is proud to present the fifth show in its 16th season -- the Tony Award-Winning golden age delight, She Loves Me. Music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, book by Joe Masteroff, with direction by Sarah Figoten Wilson. She Loves Me will preview from November 28 through December 4, regular performances will begin December 5 and continue through December 28 at Chance Theater @ Bette Aitkentheater arts Center.

She Loves Me finds Amalia and Georg loathing each other almost as much as they love their anonymous pen pals. Little do they know that they flee the unpleasantries of work (and co-workers) only to write their passionate letters... to each other! Set against the sumptuous background of a 1930's Hungarian parfumerie, this tale of unknowing lovers boasts a rich, sprightly score and 2 Tony Awards. This romantic comedy is also the musical adaptation of the play that inspired such popular films as "The Shop Around The Corner" and "You've Got Mail."

The charming story depicted in She Loves Me was initially introduced in 1937 as the play Parfumerie by Hungarian playwright Miklos Laszlo. It was then adapted for the Hollywood screen twice in the following decade. In 1963, Laszlo's work was reinvigorated by award-winning musical duo Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick. Under their stylish touch, the play became the smash hit She Loves Me, often affectionately known as the "Ice Cream Musical" after a musical number made famous by original star Barbara Cook.

As if this legacy wasn't enough, the original story resurfaced twice more, as the 1998 film You've Got Mail, and later as another musical, this time the French Rendez-Vous. So why the consistent return to a simple, decades-old flight of fancy? The answer, as Wilson would have it, is humanity. "There is a clear universality", she says. "She Loves Me is a story about finding love where you least expect it, and for that reason is forever timeless." A perfect time for a lovable comedy, as She Loves Me continues the Chance's run of family-oriented holiday musicals.

In addition to Wilson, the She Loves Me production team includes Ovation Award winning musical director Taylor Stephenson (Triassic Parq - The Musical), choreographer Christopher M. Albrecht, scenic and costume designer Bruce Goodrich, sound designer Ryan Brodkin, props designer Amy Ramirez, and stage manager Jonathan Castanien.

The production will star Chance Theater founding artist Erika C. Miller, as well as Stanton Kane Morales, Camryn Zelinger, Corky Loupe, William Gorin, Beach Vickers, Daniel Jared Hersh, Tina Nguyen, Elizabeth Adabale, Eric T. Anderson, Erica Shaeffer, Katelyn Spurgin, Matt Takahashi, Shafik Wahhab and resident artist Laura M. Hathaway.

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