Theater Works' She Loves Me
(out of 
)Mark S.P. Turvin
(home office) (602) 912-0117
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
Reviewed 9/19/98
(out of )For its' season opener, Theater Works has decided to dip into the stockpile of the little known and vastly underrated. From the pens of Fiddler's Bock and Harnick comes She Loves Me, the enjoyable, though twisting tale of two clerks in a perfumery in Budapest who outwardly loathe each other, but have been carrying on a letter-writing love affair throughout, a fact the audience can enjoy long before the participants. While it is not as good as the collaborator's other great work, it does have some very enjoyable and endearing moments, and some tunes that are keepers, including the titled song.
Director Gregory Jaye fares far better than Set Designer Gregory Jaye, for his simple control of the action is much better handled than his behemoth of a set. It is often the set requirements that have caused many potential producers to balk at the production of this endearing show, and Mr. Jaye has inadvertently shown the audience why such hesitations exist. His use of three turntables and two huge curved and rolling flats may have given him the chance to recreate the shop, outdoors and in, and the other settings of the show, but their awkwardness and breakage both during blackouts and while the lights were on became a worry of every audience member.
Despite these massive problems, the production itself is generally solid, and sometimes stellar, especially in the second act. Most of these moments are the direct result of Mr. Jaye's unfettered direction, the cast's talent and enjoyment of the show, and Noel Irick's simple, appropriate and enjoyable choreography.
Kudos must go to the two destined lovers, John Haubner as the loveable-but-put-upon Georg, and Julia Thomson as the uptight and desperate Amalia. Each of these performers can sing the Tin Pan Alley tunes with impressive gusto, and also present their characters in completely believable ways. It is a joy to watch Mr. Haubner manipulate situations, and Ms. Thomson grow from skitterish wallflower to kind and open-hearted woman.
The congratulations don't end there, though, for the supporting cast is also up to the task. The always enjoyable Dina Kay puts in another impressive performance as fellow clerk of the perfume shop Ilona, who must learn to avoid the wrong men. Her belting voice is in top form , especially in the enjoyable ditty, "A Trip to the Library" in the second act. Gerald Thomson performs the nebbishy clerk Ladislav in a truly believable and likeable way, and Patrick DuLaney is smarmily charming and detestable as the insidious clerk Steven. A solid performance comes from Phillip Groft as the young delivery boy, Arpad, whose lesser vocal talents are well-made-up-for by his overwhelming energy and sense of enjoyment.
Unfortunately, save for the always dependable Chris Wo, who does a very good job in his featured song "A Romantic Atmosphere," the rest of the chorus is below par. They seem to be neither actors, singers, nor dancers. Ms. Irick's choreography does not appear to be too difficult, yet they are rarely in synch, and are often faltering. The chorus numbers, of which, surprisingly, there aren't that many, are occasionally unpleasing to the ear, but this is saved by the fact that often, they're also inaudible. Christie McKibben's taped music is a saving grace in that situation.
Despite the set problems, Rachel Cohen & Casey Weiler's lighting, and Margaret Emerson's costumes fare much better.
The strength of this production rests securely on the shoulders
of its impressive leads, and this alone is enough to overcome
the problems of set and chorus. If for no other reason than seeing
a show that may never be produced again in Phoenix, She Loves
Me is worth the price of admission. Throw in the impressive
contributions of the principal actors, and this is a must-see
evening.
Production Details:
She Loves Me
Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics
by Sheldon Harnick
Theater
Works, Peoria
815-7930
September 18th - October 18th, 1998