Review Roundup: SHE LOVES ME At the Hayes Theatre Co.

The Hayes Theatre Co presents She Loves Me. This heart-warming musical will charm audiences at Hayes Theatre Co with tickets on sale now at hayestheatre.com.au.

Playing the lead role of Georg is Rowan Witt. Fresh from treading the boards in his Helpmann nominated role playing Elder McKinley in the smash-hit The Book of Mormon, Rowan is well known at the Hayes after his mesmerizing portrayal of Bernstein in the Australian premiere of Dogfight. Playing the lead role of Amalia, Georg's co-worker, is Caitlin Berry, who returns to the Hayes after her scene stealing role in Melba. She has also performed in South Pacific, Lola Montez and Grey Gardens.

Also returning to the Hayes after her knockout performance in High Fidelity is Zoe Gertz, who will play unlucky in love, Ilona Ritter. Making his Hayes debut is the suave Kurt Phelan (Dirty Dancing), alongside the hilarious Jay James Moody (The Book of Mormon) playing the roles of Stephen Kodaly and Ladislov Sipos respectively. Joel Granger (Big Fish) plays Arpad Laszlo while Georgina Walker (Alice in Wonderland) and Suzanne Steele (Dream Lover) are ensemble members.

Set in 1930's Europe, co-workers at Maraczek's Parfumerie, Amalia and Georg are in love - just not with each other. In fact, you could say that in their case, it was loathe at first sight! Whilst engaged in their ongoing and bitter feud, the pair unknowingly find solace in one another by conducting an anonymous and passionate correspondence through a lonely-hearts column.

As Christmas approaches and the staff of Maraczek's deal with demanding customers and complicated inter-personnel relationships, Georg and Amalia continue to clash, while pouring out their troubles to each other in letters. What will happen when the two finally decide to meet? Will love triumph when the truth is revealed?

She Loves Me is based on the original stage play Parfumerie which was later adapted into the films The Shop Around the Corner, In the Good Old Summertime and most recently the 1994 film You've Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. This feel-good romantic comedy features a book by Tony Award winner Joe Masteroff, music by Tony Award winner Jerry Bock and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Sheldon Harnick.

She Loves Me boasts a stellar Australian creative team including up and coming director Erin James. James is the recipient of the inaugural Artist-Led Initiative and is a highly esteemed performer in numerous large-scale productions including GFO/ Opera Australia's My Fair Lady and The King and I. Joining James is musical director Steven Kreamer (Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors) and choreographer Leslie Bell (Big River) with costumes and set design by Isabel Hudson (The View UpStairs, Dry Land) and lighting by Matt Cox (A View From the Bridge, Hamlet). This production is proudly sponsored by Frederic Marguerre and Rodrigo Martino.

Featuring the songs Vanilla Ice-Cream, Tonight at Eight and Will He Like Me, She Loves Me is a witty and enchanting chamber musical that will charm everyone's socks off.

Tickets for She Loves Me are available now at hayestheatre.com.au or by calling the Hayes Theatre Co box office during business hours on (02) 8065 7337.

---

Angus McPherson, Limelight: Ensemble numbers such as Sounds Like Selling and the escalating mayhem of Twelve Days to Christmas are particularly fun, as is Leslie Bell's choreography. While it might be a musical past its prime, sharp, energetic performances and strong direction make She Loves Me a fun night at the theatre.

Suzy Wrong, Suzy Goes See: Much of the comedy in She Loves Me is outdated, but several big laughs are had when supporting player Jay James-Moody occupies centre stage; his comic inventiveness is an absolute godsend. Caitlin Berry and Rowan Witt are the leads, both excellent singers, with strong presences that manage to sustain our attention, even when the story wanes. Director Erin James keeps the production active and energetic, but the plot's flimsiness seems impossible to rectify.

Jason Whittaker, Daily Review: Director Erin James has been in plenty of musicals as a performer but she's never helmed one on her own. It's a brave and impressive debut, casting well and showing reverence for the material through fresh eyes. There's unifying vision and care for the small moments, a real test for directors of this material.

Ben Neutze, Time Out Sydney: That's what makes this musical so irresistible. It's both an escape and a way of looking at the world - the struggles of work and dating - through rose-coloured lenses. It does exactly what you want a musical comedy to do.

To post a comment, you must register and login.