She Loves Me follows Georg and Amalia, two parfumerie clerks who aren't quite the best of friends. Constantly bumping heads while on the job, the sparring coworkers can't seem to find common ground. But little do they know, the anonymous romantic pen pals they have both been falling for happen to be each other! Will love continue to blossom once their identities are finally revealed?
In celebration of Roundabout Theatre Company's 50th anniversary, She Loves Me returns to Broadway for the first time since it triumphantly launched Roundabout's musical theatre initiative over 20 years ago. This heartwarming musical comedy features a book by Tony Award winner Joe Masteroff (Cabaret), music by Tony Award winner Jerry Bock (Fiddler on the Roof) and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and Tony winner Sheldon Harnick (Fiorello!). Six-time Tony Award nominee Scott Ellis (Roundabout's Harvey, The Mystery of Edwin Drood) directs.
It's one month late for Valentine's Day, but Roundabout Theatre Company's enchanting staging of She Loves Me sends a message straight to the heart of romantic musical comedy lovers. Designed as a pastel-colored, art nouveau jewel box, the 1963 show has been directed by Scott Ellis with effortless buoyancy and sophistication. It's also ideally cast, with an ensemble led by Laura Benanti, whose silvery soprano was born to sing this role. Add in Zachary Levi, projecting throwback charm with winning confidence, and Jane Krakowski in top form and you have a revival that will delight admirers of this musical favorite while providing a perfect introduction to those encountering it for the first time.
Chief among the pleasures of this revival are the leading players, who take the innately charming material and add their own personal magic. Amalia is a soprano's dream; Barbara Cook created the role, turning the big aria 'Ice Cream' into something of a standard for hard-singing heroines. (Cook originated not only 'Ice Cream' but Leonard Bernstein's 'Glitter and Be Gay' from Candide, two numbers that serve as something of a trial by fire for musical comedy leading ladies.) Here we have Ms. Benanti, who can match just about anyone in the vocal spotlight. What sends her performance over the top is her comedy skills; there is humor in the role, yes, but Benanti makes it downright funny. The bedroom scene, for instance (leading to 'Ice Cream'), plays like high comedy. Let it be added that the book by Joe Masteroff-who later turned his hand to Cabaret-works marvelously well.
1963 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1964 | West End |
London Production West End |
1964 | Regional (US) |
Regional Revival Regional (US) |
1985 | Off-Off-Broadway |
Equity Library Theatre Revival Off-Off-Broadway |
1993 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
1994 | West End |
London Revival West End |
2004 | Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
Paper Mill Production Milburn, NJ (Regional) |
2015 | London |
London Production London |
2016 | Broadway |
Roundabout Theatre Broadway Revival Broadway |
2016 | West End |
West End Revival West End |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | BroadwayWorld Awards | Best Scenic Design | David Rockwell |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Zachary Levi |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Laura Benanti |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Costume Design for a Musical | Jeff Mahshie |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Nicholas Barasch |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Jane Krakowski |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Orchestrations | Larry Hochman |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | She Loves Me |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Set Design for a Musical | David Rockwell |
2016 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Wig and Hair | David Brian Brown |
2016 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Laura Benanti |
2016 | Drama League Awards | Distinguished Performance Award | Zachary Levi |
2016 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Musical | She Loves Me |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Musical | Laura Benanti |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Costume Design (Play or Musical) | Jeff Mahshie |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Director of a Musical | Scott Ellis |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Nicholas Barasch |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Jane Krakowski |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Lighting Design (Play or Musical) | Donald Holder |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical (Broadway or off-Broadway) | She Loves Me |
2016 | Outer Critics Circle Awards | Outstanding Scenic Design (Play or Musical) | David Rockwell |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Costume Design of a Musical | Jeff Mahshie |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Direction of a Musical | Scott Ellis |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Orchestrations | Larry Hochman |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical | Zachary Levi |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical | Jane Krakowski |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical | Laura Benanti |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Revival of a Musical | She Loves Me |
2016 | Tony Awards | Best Scenic Design of a Musical | David Rockwell |
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