Theater Review: She Loves Me at Artistry Theater

Gracie Anderson, Benjamin Dutcher, Ryan London Levin, and Sarah DeYong in She Loves Me at Artistry Theater, 2019.

She Loves Me, the 1963 musical with a book by Joe Masterhoff, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, is one of my favorite musicals. Despite the title and the date of its composition, it doesn’t have anything to do with the Beatles. The story of She Loves Me is based on Parfumerie, a 1937 play by Hungarian playwright Miklos Lazlo. Lazlo’s play was turned into the 1940 movie The Shop Around the Corner, starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. The Shop Around the Corner was then turned into the 1949 musical In the Good Old Summertime, starring Judy Garland and Van Johnson. (The film also marked the acting debut of three-year-old Liza Minnelli.) The story of Parfumerie was adapted once again for a movie with 1998’s You’ve Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. 

Now that we’ve gotten the convoluted backstory out of the way, what is She Loves Me about? Set in Budapest in the 1930’s, it’s the story of Georg Nowack and Amalia Balash, two co-workers at Maraczek’s Parfumerie who dislike each other. However, they are actually pen pals who are slowly falling in love through their letters but who have yet to meet face to face. 

She Loves Me is the rare Broadway musical that is about work. Maraczek’s Parfumerie is the glue that holds the various characters together. Every character gets their own song at some point in the show, and the songs they get to sing are pretty fantastic. One of my favorites is the humorous “Sounds While Selling,” which weaves three clerks’ conversations with customers together to form a nonsensical exchange. 

The production of She Loves Me currently playing at Artistry Theater in Bloomington is directed by Benjamin McGovern and features an excellent cast. Sarah DeYong captures Amalia’s sparkle and charm, and she sings “Where’s My Shoe?” and “Vanilla Ice Cream,” very well indeed. Ryan London Levin brings a relatable humor to Georg, and hits a home run with the title song. Gracie Anderson does a great job with Ilona’s songs “I Resolve” and “A Trip to the Library.” Benjamin Dutcher supplies an abundance of oily charm as Steven Kodaly, and makes the most of his seductive “Ilona,” and his great kiss-off song “Grand Knowing You.” The always excellent T. Mychael Rambo brings charm and dignity to the role of Zoltan Maraczek. (Mr. Maraczek’s first name is never said aloud in the play, which is really just a waste of the name Zoltan.) Rambo is always a delight to watch, and he has brightened numerous Twin Cities stages with his presence. 

If you’re looking for a sweet, smart, funny musical with songs you’ll be humming the next day, go see She Loves Me at Artistry Theater.