She Loves Me Musical Review

Grace and I recently had the privilege of seeing the charming musical "She Loves Me"!  We've been listening to the soundtrack on YouTube for forever and drooling over the BroadwayHD website, where "She Loves Me" was among their many productions that you could watch with a monthly subscription.  We finally sprung for it and paid for one month in which we'd soak it for all it was worth!

(Grace: LET'S SOAK EM FOR CRUTCHIE!)

The Summary

So, what is She Loves Me about, you may ask?  Well, it is a retelling of the 1940 film, "The Shop Around the Corner", starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullivan.  

(I highly recommend that movie- it's one of our family's favorites!)

The musical revolves around a parfumery in Budapest called "Marichek's", and it's employees!

The main characters George Novac (Zachary Levi) and Amalia Balish (Laura Benati) , can't stop arguing long enough to see they have a lot in common!

Their idea of the perfect mate is the one they've never met, but write to every night under the pseudonym "Dear Friend".  But their true love may be closer than they think...

The other employees have their own dramas as well.  Ilona can never seem to turn down the suave clerk, Mr. Kodai, whenever he sidles up and asks her out on a date.

  Arpad is just an errand boy who desperately wants a promotion, and poor Mr. Sipos is just trying to keep his job.

What to Be Aware Of

Like in many wonderful shows, they always seem to want to throw in things for a certain crowd.

Language

• There is some language sprinkled throughout; God's name was taken in vain more than once and h--- was used a few times as well. 

Indecency

• Unfortunately, there is some crass innuendo at certain points of the show. 
• It's also evident that Ilona and Mr. Kodai sleep around.
• During the beginning of the cafe' scene, there is a inappropriate dance sequence.

Immodesty

• In one scene, Ilona's dancing and wears a dress that's slit up to her thigh.

What did I Think?

This musical is wonderful, you won't be able to help, but smile in delight!  The score and script are works of art! Have you ever watched a musical before when you thought, 'Oh, great- here's that boring song'?  Not so, my friends with this musical!  The characters' feelings are so well portrayed through the songs., and the wit and fun that went into the lines- oh, it's simply grand!  And then there's the charming and beautiful set that will make you just want to run up on stage with the actors!

Zachary Levi and Laura Benati did a fabulous, fabulous job in this show!  They played their characters to perfection, and worked so well off each other.  I only wish they had had more songs together because their harmonies sounded outstanding!

Jane Kravaski (Ilona) and Gavin Creel (Mr. Kodai) added so much pizazz to this show!  Their rousing singing and humorous remarks are quite fun to watch.  And as Arpad (Nicholas Barasch) and Mr. Sipos (Tom McGowan) watch both couples' love - hate relationships from the sidelines, they make such a perfect duo, filling in the audience on what's what at Marichek's with their running dialogue.
And then, there's the shop owner himself, Mr. Marichek (Byron Jennings).  Byron Jennings was a perfect fit for this character.  His easygoing, friendly manner was just the sort you'd hope to find as you entered your favorite parfumery!

As you well know by now, I LOVE this play!  If you should decide to see it, please comment below and tell us your thoughts!  And if you'd ever like to come dry some dishes in our kitchen and have a "She Loves Me" sing off with Grace and I, please do come over!!  You know you want to!!  And yes, Ice Cream is definitely involved.....perhaps even....vanilla? (wink, wink)

XoXo,

Katherine

P.S.

She Loves Me Musical Trailer: