When people think of Broadway musicals, they often think of the
glitz and glory of tinsel-clad dancers waving glittery top hats and
making a singular sensation with every little step they take. But
sometimes, all Broadway musicals need is a simple love story.
“REPRISE! Broadway’s Best,” a theater company
that revives classic and, often, infrequently seen musicals, will
open “She Loves Me” at UCLA’s Freud Playhouse
starting March 18 until March 30.
“She Loves Me,” which originally opened on Broadway
in 1963, is set in a 1930s European perfume shop and follows the
antics of two clerks, Georg and Amalia, who bicker constantly by
day and by night are pen-pal lovers, unaware of one another’s
identity.
“The musical is one that isn’t done very often in
theater but has one of the best scores in American musical
theater,” said Scott Waara, who plays the lead character
Georg.
Since its 1994 revival on Broadway, the play has been hailed as
being an exceptional feat, being nominated for 16 Tony Awards, but
it didn’t enjoy such success in 1963.
“Many plays can be “˜actor proof’ ““
meaning they’ll be great with any actor. “˜She Loves
Me’ is not “˜actor proof’ and requires the perfect
blend of actors to make it successful,” said Waara.
“Because it is a very delicate and emotional play, one of the
reasons it might not have lasted as long in the mainstream scene is
because of the actors.”
Furthermore, according to Musical Director Gerald Sternbach, the
musical is more low-key, and is not a “diva show” with
big-name performers and ostentatious sets such as “Hello
Dolly.”
“”˜She Loves Me’ is more of an intimate show,
not a star vehicle show as other musicals tend to be,” said
Sternbach. “This show focuses more on the intimacy of the
love story.”
The orchestra and the choreography of the play further support
the intimacy of the love story. The small orchestra is reminiscent
of a Hungarian Rhapsody ensemble and thus stays true to the period
during which it was written.
“The musical numbers are extensions of the emotionality of
the scenes,” said Sternbach. “Even the underscoring
serves to further the emotional aspect of the play and enhances its
effect.”
The choreography of the play also serves to represent an
extension of a character. By capitalizing and enhancing the
personal emotions of the characters through dance, the play aims to
lure audience members into a more intimate setting.
“The choreography of the play reflects the fact that it is
a quaint musical,” said Dan Mojica, the choreographer of the
production. “In one dance number, for instance, titled
“˜A Romantic Atmosphere,’ the choreography ties together
a Hungarian-Russian feel ““ to create an ethnic flavor ““
with a very Broadway jazz character to give the play a vast
diversity.”
Composed by the same writers who gave audiences “Fiddler
on the Roof” and “The Rothschilds,”
theater-philes and mainstream movie-lovers alike will recognize the
plot of “She Loves Me” because the musical was based on
the 1936 play “The Shop Around the Corner,” which
inspired the movie adaptation starring James Stuart and, more
recently, “You’ve Got Mail.”
“Compared to huge productions such as “˜Guys and
Dolls,’ “˜She Loves Me’ is not as bold in color
““ it would be more of a pastel backdrop,” said Waara.
“With subtlety comes a chance to impress the audience and
show them how easy it is for them to enjoy a well-told love
story.”
“She Loves Me” will be performed at the Freud
Playhouse at UCLA from March 18 to 30. Performances are Tuesdays
through Fridays at 8 p.m.; Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and
Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are sold at the CTO and cost
between $50 and $60. For more information call (310) 825-2101.