UMD’s Delightful Holiday Musical Rom-Com Prods Audiences to Fall in Love All Over Again
Sheryl Jensen
The Duluth News Tribune
December1, 2016
She Loves Me is one of the most under appreciated musicals in the American theater canon. The UMD theater department production gives audiences the gift of this effervescent little gem of a show.
The classic rom-com plot device of two unassuming people who fall in love through love letter correspondence, while hating each other in person, was central to the original 1937 play by Hungarian writer Miklos Laszlo. The story was also used in the films “The Shop Around the Corner” and “You’ve Got Mail.”
In 1963, in the hands of Jerry Bock (music) and Sheldon Harnick (lyrics), who would next write Fiddler on the Roof together, the familiar story takes on a rosy glow, awash in an evening of delightful songs.
As Amalia Balash, the distaff side of the anonymous correspondents, Rebekah Meyer has one of those crystal clear, glorious soprano voices, perfect for musical theater heroines. Her takes particularly on “Dear Friend,” “Vanilla Ice Cream” and “Will He Like Me?” are the show’s heart and soul.
Playing Georg Nowack, the other “Dear Friend,” Ole Dack utterly charms from his first entrance. His firecracker performance of the title song “She Loves Me” was the highlight of Act II.
Every supporting player brings magic to the stage. The ever-adorable Brian Saice shines as Arpad, the delivery boy who aspires to greater things. Simon Van Vactor-Lee gives a charming performance as an unassuming, wise and intuitive store clerk, who ultimately saves the day.
In a small gender-bending role as a head waiter, Erica VonBank, channeling a cross between Cruella De Vil and Morticia Addams, has a wonderfully comedic turn in “A Romantic Atmosphere.”
Baby-faced Luke Hanger (Kodaly) may not look the part of a Lothario and home-wrecker, but he finds his inner cad and slays both of his tunes, the sexy “Ilona” and his hilarious exit song, “Grand Knowing You.” Playing opposite him, Emily Sue Bengston has great fun as well with the ditzy, jilted woman role.
While student designer Jenna Mady’s set is serviceable, it lacks some of the glitz of an upscale European parfumerie. Patricia Dennis, however, brings her experienced hand to beautiful period costumes, helping to recreate the magic of another time and place.
Under the crisp direction of musical director/conductor Patrick Colvin, the nine-piece orchestra brings wonderful European nuances to the sumptuous score. Rebecca Katz Harwood’s choreography, especially in the cafe number, is clever and witty.
Guest director Michael Brindisi, Chanhassen Dinner Theatre’s longtime resident artistic director and one of the co-owners, has been instrumental in building an alliance between UMD’s theater program and the Chanhassen.
With this whimsical production, he was able to work with some potential future actors for his Chanhassen stage and to share his considerable talents and insights as a seasoned director with the students on their home stage.
As Brindisi puts it in his playbill director’s note, in seeing She Loves Me he hopes that “you fall in love, or fall in love all over again.” For holiday audiences, what a lovely theatrical present to unwrap.
Set in 1930s Europe, She Loves Me was the musical story of two people who fell in love with each other over letters but unwittingly knew each other in person and despised one another. Although a generally fun and light-hearted story, it also deals briefly with darker topics like adultery and an attempted suicide. UMD’s Department of Theatre successfully produced this engaging romantic comedy through strong acting, singing, and dancing in addition to artfully designed set and light.
ReplyDeleteGeorg and Amalia, played by Ole Dack and Rebekah Meyer, respectively, were the main characters of the story. Both actors portrayed their characters well, especially the emotional rollercoaster that their characters experienced throughout the story. Both had appealing singing voices that really seemed to fit their characters’ personalities and emotions. Meyer had a particularly beautiful voice and nailed her musical numbers, both the more serious and heartfelt pieces like “Will He Like Me?” and the humorous songs like “No More Candy.”
The performances of Dack and Meyer were well backed by the supporting characters. A good example was the performance of the amusing musical number “Sounds While Selling” by the clerks, played by Dack, Simon VanVactor-Lee, and Luke Harger, as well as the customers of the shop. Emily Sue Bengtson gave a comedic performance as Ilona, the receptionist of the parfumerie, through her use of humor and feisty personality.
Perhaps the two most notable supporting characters were that of Arpad, played by Brian Saice, and the head waitress, played by Erica VonBank. Saice effectively portrayed the bubbly, almost childlike personality of Arpad. Every time Arpad was involved in a scene, laughs were elicited and his happy-go-lucky presence filled the room. VonBank also had a noticeable presence as the head waitress of the cafe, though in a very different way. Her presence was more confident and authoritative. She delivered the amusing rendition of “A Romantic Atmosphere” with an interesting combination of humor and elegance.
The entire scene at the cafe was well put together. The dance choreography paired with VonBank’s musical number was unique and fun. The story also came to a climax in the cafe when Georg realized who “dear friend” was. The portrayal of facial expressions and body language in Georg’s moment of clarity by Dack was comical and clearly showed Georg’s mixed emotions.
The love story of Georg and Amalia would have been entertaining by itself, but playwright Miklos Laszlo took it to a whole new level by adding a more serious subplot to the story. Mr. Maraczek, portrayed by Zach Churchill, learned of his wife being unfaithful to him with one of his employees and attempted to kill himself. Churchill effectively depicted the chain of emotions that Mr. Maraczek experienced, from the anger to hurt to the sadness and eventual acceptance regarding the betrayal of both his wife and employee.
Supportive of the performers was the beautiful and romantic set and light design. The minimal set, designed by Jenna Mady, allowed for quick, smooth transitions between scenes. The design of the main structure was particularly creative and allowed the scene to be switched by simply rotating it. Some of the transitions were even done in full view of the audience and were made to seem like part of the action because of the ease with which the scenes could be changed. Light designer Wesley Darton used pink and red lights to add to the romantic mood of the production. Different colored lights were also used to give a sense of separation between two events even though they were happening at the same time on stage.
With a typical romantic comedy storyline and an underlying plot dealing with deeper themes, She Loves Me delivered an engaging story with a combination of humor and solemnity. Strong performances and well-crafted scenic and light design made for an engaging and entertaining production. Although a musical play with grand musical numbers and sung dialogue, the production still managed to seem relatable and realistic.
She Loves Me is a musical directed by Michael Brindisi, who is also the co-owner of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. This musical takes place in Budapest, Hungary, specifically at a shop named Maraczek’s Parfumerie. The story revolves around two characters who unexpectedly fall in love with each other. The cast members are all energetic and the orchestra, conducted by Patrick Colvin, was completely in sync with the actors. The songs in this musical were also delightful as they were fun and lively.
ReplyDeleteIn this romantic comedy, the audience knows that Amelia Balash, played by Rebekah Meyer, and George Nowack, played by Ole Dack, are interested in each other through their love letter correspondences. The audience gets to watch the two, soon to be love birds, fall in love, but only after they get past their undesirable feelings for each other. During all this, Meyer and Dack both sing lovely and quirky songs for the audience. In act one, during a scene switch, Dak took advantage of the blackout to position himself within the audience. There he sang about the lovely mystery lady who’s been trading love letters with him back and forth. Meyer comes in at the end of this song and starts singing with Dak as her voice is easy on the ears. They’re both singing for the same reason but neither of them know that yet.
The other actors all contributed in making the musical such a success as well. The delivery boy, Arpad Laszlo, played by Brian Saice brought his own boyish charm onto the stage. Zach Churchill who played Mr. Maraczek could set the mood of the scenes by using his authority. Emily Sue Bengtson performed as Ilona Ritter, a playful and mislead girl, how gets taken advantage of by Steven Kodaly, who is played by Luke Harger. Kodaly is a womanizer and is the main source of drama in this musical. Harger, though a bit young for his part, does an excellent job as a seducer and a heartbreaker.
One of the catchy moments of this musical is when a customer leaves Maraczek’s Parfumerie. As the customer exits the store all the employees, consisting of Blash, Nowack, Sipos, Ritter, and Laszlo all sing a farewell melody for them. Patrick Colvin’s orchestra backs up these wonderful actors by playing their music perfectly in sync with the actor’s movements.
The orchestra played flawlessly at the back of the stage, behind the scenery. Maraczek’s Parfumerie was well built as it was wide enough to efficiently use up the stage space. It was also about to turn a full 360 degree to display the inside of the store and the front of the store, which was nicely done by the construction crew.
This musical was a total success and was perfectly timed for the holidays. All the actors were great and the audience were very much entertained by the funny and loving story.
The snowy December 4th afternoon was the perfect setting for the performance of She Loves Me at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus. The Hungarian based Christmas musical was lighthearted and seemingly effortlessly entertaining during both acts. Upon entry it was impossible to miss the live orchestra hiding in the background of the beautifully transformed stage of the Marshal Performing Arts Center. The live musical instruments highlighted the romantic atmosphere set by the warm, colorful lighting designed by Wesley Darton. The orchestra maintained many wonderful performances throughout the two and a half hour production.
ReplyDeleteThe professionalism brought by director, Michael Brindisi, was apparent throughout the duration of the production. Each actor appeared dedicated to their role, giving convincing performances and emotionally connecting with the audience. The casting of actors was good all around, but a few characters were spot on. The Mr. Maraczek and Steven Kodaly characters were perfectly cast with Zach Churchill and Luke Hager. Churchill gave an especially emotional performance while portraying an elderly man with an adulterous wife who is confused and out of options.
All musical numbers were entertaining and well executed, with a few shining brighter than the others. Perspective was one number that was particularity enjoyable, possibly due to the ability of members of the audience being able to relate to the lyrics. The performance of A Romantic Atmosphere had incredible vocals by Erica VonBank, who played the Waiter, and incorporated interesting choreography that appeared to be traditionally Hungarian. Also, Rebekah Meyer, who played Amalia, had an astonishing voice that was showcased in all her musical performances.
The character of Arpad Lazzio, played by Brian Saice, was a crowd favorite and a comic relief that induced laughter after more dreary scenes of the play. The inspiring subplot of Arpad, the loyal deliver boy, who gets promoted to sales clerk, is a lovely, complimentary subplot to the secret, unknown romance at the center of the play. Arpad took the lead as the ‘clown’ in this romantic comedy musical.
The elaborate, large scenery piece that took up the majority of the stages was functionally designed by Jenna Mady to be multipurpose, having the inside and outside entrance of the Maraczek Perfumery as options for settings. Both sides had intricate heart designs that contributed to the overall romanticism of the play. Although obvious societal gender stereotypes date the original play, the classic story of two unknown pen pals who fall in love received a standing ovation at the end of the night.
McCall Halliday
ReplyDeleteShe Loves Me is the ideal option for someone who wants to see a lighthearted and simple musical.The director Michael Brindisi created scenes that were filled with motion and fun. By having all of the employees come to the front of the stage and sing out their goodbye song to the women who were leaving the shop, Brindisi made something that could be a bit repetitive at times, funny and amusing. The direction of this show helped to match the playfulness of the musical. This performance of She Loves Me kept the musical as delightful as possible with a solid cast of actors, great set design, and exciting lighting.
One of the things that made this musical as upbeat and lively as possible was the actors. Emily Sue Bengston is one of the actors who stuck out and made each scene a delight. Her clear voice and bubbly portrayal of her character Ilona made the play hilarious. Each song she sang was equally comical and showcased her magnificent voice. Her clear tone could stick out during group pieces however her performance in solo numbers was stunning.
Another actor who caught the audience's attention was Luke Hanger who played Kodaly. His attention grabbing facials made him completely smarmy, making his portrayal of the character accurate and amusing. During his song he performed after being fired from the perfumery, he showcased his superb acting talent with captivating choreography and eye catching expressions. Hanger illustrated his characters selfish and smug personality quite well with this humorous musical number.
Playful set design was another reason this show was so fun to see. Jena Mady the set designer came up with a wonderfully built set that was easy to move around, and versatile for every scene. The see through layout of the main set piece made it easy to position and flip back and forth during scene changes, it also created a new atmosphere with every location it was set in. With one pastel pink side and another bright yellow side, this cut out of the storefront did an excellent job of keeping with the lighthearted and happy mood of the play. Mady also separated the orchestra from the rest of the stage very effectively. By having another see through set piece between the band and the rest of the stage the audience was able to see the orchestra but at the same time forgot they existed when the lights went up.This bright and colorful set matched the atmosphere of the play and the lighting work, which complemented the performance.
The lighting for this musical, which was done by Wesley Darton, used bright colors to showcase the different seasons and moods of the show. By bathing the stage in blue light Wesley captured the feeling of winter as the show progressed, and used pinks and purples to accent scenes that dealt more with the theme of love. This use of color made the show more visually entertaining and interesting to watch, it also helped to communicate what was happening in the show like what season it was. The use of spotlights in the show also did an amazing job at stressing the moments when actors would break the fourth wall and come out into the audience. By using the spotlights for these parts of the show, it made each break even funnier and compelling to watch. Overall the lighting of this show helped to create a fun filled atmosphere and kept the audience interested.
She Loves Me was light and playful and an overall fun night of theater. Although there wasn’t a deeper meaning to the show or anything that would make the audience think, it was still an enjoyable experience. This performance was pleasing to the eye with its superb set, and wonderful lighting. And it was pleasing to the ear because of the exceptional singing from the cast. It was truly a delightful performance.
The play she loves me is a musical full of delightful characters who bring joy to the audience with their singing and dancing. The characters blocking was almost flawless. The characters had a solid contribution to each section of the play rather then having a separated sections of each character just randomly singing like other musical plays.
ReplyDeleteThe lighting matched every mood because its a Musical and the lighting brings out the mood and the characters. The bright colors has created a ora of belief for the audience that this is what musical theater should be. By using blue light it really created the feeling of being in winter for the chercter.
The set designe was a great way for the directors to help create a different view and perspective for the audience by having everything on stage having to do with something thats going on with the character.
The funniest character was Arpad Lazzio using skills of lighthearted laughter he created a way for the audience to be engaged and wake up to laugh instead of just going on with the story.
The play, "she loves me" was a great romantic comedy musical and the setting was very beautiful. It was also very cool how there was live music that came from the back when the actors sang. The way in how the orchestra and actors were working together in unison was also amazing. And it was very cool and resourceful in how they used Mr.Maraczek building as three different settings. They also used all the spaces that they had because they did not limit themselves to just the stage area but to the audience as well.
ReplyDeleteI really loved the interaction that the actors had with the audience because they also sang to us and was in the walk way interacting with us. Although we were not part of the story, it felt as if they included us in their journey to find love and each other when they were both right in front of each other. When they had "changed" or how they transitioned the seasons it was very entertaining and funny.
The actors all matched and portrayed their character very well. Arpad Laszlo played by Brian Saice matched his character very well because of his handsome looks, but also capture his characters cockiness. I really liked Amalia and Georg's interaction with each other, also played by Rebekah Meyer and Ole Dack. Although I think it would have had been better if there was more time to show their relationship build, it seemed to have rushed a bit too much. Overall, it was a really good show with romance, comedy, sadness as well, and very lighthearted.
She Loves Me was a comedic musical put on by the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Department of Theatre from December 1st until the 9th at the Marshall Performance Arts Center on the main stage. It entails the story of Georg and Amalia who are two parfumerie clerks at Maraczek’s, who don’t particularly like each other. Little do they know, the romantic pen pals that they have been exchanging letters to were each other. The story revolves around a 1900’s play by the Hungarian writer Milklos Laszlo, which was then made into a musical. The story was turned into three films including Shop Around the Corner (1940), In the Good Old Summertime (1949) and You’ve got Mail (1963).
ReplyDeleteAs the story was told through many musical performances, there were some characters who stood out during the play for their appealing voices. Amalia Balash, played by Rebekah Meyer, has a melodious voice that captured the audience so beautifully. Her performance of “Will He Like Me” and “Vanilla Ice cream” illustrated and exaggerated her voice to the fullest. Emily Sue Bengston as Ilona Ritter had a high-pitched voice that balanced out her intricately structured face that lit up every time she smiled. When she sang “A Trip to the Library”, every word had a unique ring to it that can clearly be heard only from her voice. Brian Saice as Arpad Laszlo was probably an audience favorite, for his short figure that complimented his kid-like characteristics during the play. He played a delivery boy who wanted nothing but a promotion as a clerk. He signifies the season changing by throwing leaves for fall and snow for the winter in the front of the stage. There was never a dull moment as he came on stage with his enormous smile, especially when he sang “Try Me” in Act II. The determination and ambition can be heard in his voice as he sang about how great of a clerk he would be if he received his promotion.
The set was colorful and eye-catching from the moment the audience walks into the auditorium. Student designer, Jenna Mady, went all out with the props that were detailed and precise. The main, centered prop that was used throughout the play was the cut out of Maraczek’s Parfumerie, outlined in lots of pink and yellow while the other interchangeable props complimented similar colors. The costumes brought the set to life as they were interchangeable between different scenes. When the clerks were in the shop, they had a coat with the letter “M” imprinted on it to signify they were employees over their 20th century outfits. Customers were dressed for the weather, as winter crept around the corner, the ladies wore fur jackets while the men wore long coats with scarfs. Besides the scenes where Arpad signifies the season changing, the costumes were also a major clue to the season that the play was taking place in. In addition, the shop was decorated with Christmas decorations after the intermission before Act II. It is very easy to forget the background work of the orchestra in all this, who made every song magical and every transition bearable with the melodious tunes they played. These elements mixed together brought an extraordinarily unforgettable evening for the audience.
She Loves Me was the cute, cheesy romance anyone could hope for with a few twists. Director Michael Brindisi captured the love story while keeping the audience pleased as he was “hoping you fall in love”. A must watch especially with the holidays just around the corner, it would be the perfect gift.
The UMD School of Fine Arts has pulled off yet another terrific theatre production fit for audiences of all kinds. She Loves Me, an adorable heart-warming romantic comedy directed by Michael Brindisi, follows the story of two anonymous pen pals who have fallen madly in love through letters, all while despising one another in their everyday lives. As their identities are revealed, Amalia and Georg learn the importance of truly getting to know someone on the inside, as first impressions are often misleading.
ReplyDeleteRebekah Meyer did not disappoint in the role of sweet Amalia Balash. Pouring her heart and soul into the songs “I Don’t Know His Name”, “Will He Like Me?” and “Dear Friend”, the audience could clearly feel the emotion she invested in her character. Her counterpart, Ole Dack, in the role of Georg Nowack nailed the humorous side as well as the soft loving side of his character. Together, these two actors successfully captured the complex chemistry of the star-crossed lovers they played. In addition to the lead actors, the cast would not have been complete without the comedy provided by Luke Harger as Steven Kodaly, Emily Sue Bengtson as Ilona Ritter, Brian Saice as Arpad Laszlo, and Simon VanVactor-Lee as Ladislav Sipos.
Scenic designer, Jenna Mady, beautifully captured the simplicity and romance in the set all while still portraying multiple settings within the show. Maraczek’s Parfumerie, Café Imperiale, a hospital and apartment were all represented through a simple, movable, window like structure. With the addition of minor props such as Christmas decorations, perfumes and lotions, and tables with candles, the stage was easily transformed into a variety of settings. The details in the scenery did not go unnoticed either. The incorporation of hearts in many of the scenic designs definitely contributed the themes and tone of the show.
Overall, guest director Michael Brindisi did a fantastic job bringing this audience favorite, Hungarian play to life in the Duluth community. She Loves Me is a must see for all who enjoy romantic comedies or simply want a night of enjoyable entertainment. As Brindisi said in reference to the show, “Here’s to hoping you fall in love, or fall in love all over again”.
“Here’s hoping you fall in love, or fall in love all over again.”
ReplyDeleteMichael Brindisi
Michael Brindisi, who owns the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in St. Paul/ Minneapolis and has made over 100 productions had the chance to be a guest director for this romantic musical about two coworkers that are not very fond of one another but have been romantically, anonymously writing to each other and do not find out until the end.
She Loves Me taken place in the Marshall Performing Arts Center was shown between December 1st- 3rd then the 7th- 10th all showings began at 7:30pm except for the showing on December 4th that was at 2:00pm. This romantic musical comedy was able to keep everyone laughing most of the time and the corny lines and actions the actors performed made it even better for the viewers. Both act one and act two were entertaining and the relationship between Amalia Balash and Georg Nowack was something interesting and curious to see where it would end up. Because of the actor’s costumes, something they made noticeable was that it was during the 1930s. Because of that, it was easier to understand how the actor’s mindsets were functioning since it is from a different period and in the past people thought different.
The orchestral musicians provided was a nice touch to the setting, having the orchestra on stage made the scenes more believable and it matched their pace and everything else they were doing on stage. Another thing was the lighting, Mark Harvey and Jon Brophy seemed like they never missed a point with the lighting; whenever a moment was happening that had certain feelings to it, the lights were different such as when Rebekah Meyer, who played Amalia Balash was writing a letter to her “friend” that lights turned to what she was feeling or another part was when she was in the restaurant and the different performances were happening.
A well choreographed scene was the “Twelve days to Christmas.” Even though it seemed like they were hectic and could not control anything and seemed like they were running out of time, the customers, clerks, and carolers all managed to perform their act and organize themselves back again into their spots where they went back to singing. The scenic design and costumes worn and background music all tied in together with the act that was being performed and made it have a christmas mood.
Brian Saice who played Arpad Laszlo, the optimistic delivery boy, the whole room seemed to have a lightening mood and he just brought joy to the whole place whenever he entered the room. His whole joyful, enlightened paperboy character was always positive and wanted everything for the better and another thing that affected the crowd was his whole creativity of throwing things and the “seasons changing” then he would exit the stage.
The romantic roller coaster ride between Steven Kodaly, who was portrayed by Luke Harger and Ilona Ritter, played by Emily Sue Bengtson really made their relationship real and believable because their acting was so well played. Even though their relationship status is uncertain, near the end Ilona was able to move on and get over him. Her performance of “A Trip to the Library” could be as a transformation of her moving on to something better.
It was great timing because of the season in which it was showing and most of the people could relate to the craziness around the holidays and romantic outgoings. Maybe even some of the viewers fell in love because this was such a great showing and would be affectionate in a way.
She Loves Me
ReplyDeleteUMD Theatre Department
Review by Christa Stimson
The UMD Theatre Department‘s She Loves Me was spectacular in aspects of both music and acting. The innocent charm of the piece shined with the stupendous casting.
The mood was set by the scenery/prop and lighting construction crew. The “corner store” feel that the massive stage prop portrayed was a highlight of the show. The mood was also set by the lighting designer. The shadows added contrast to the different moods of the play. The cool blue light gave the assumption of winter, while the warm pink and purple lights gave the assumption for spring love.
The classic unassuming couple falling in love story is brought to life. Amalia Balash is played by Rebekah Meyer as a sweet, spunky, and hopelessly romantic young woman. Amalia falls in love with Georg Nowack, played by Ole Dack. Dack was casted to be a stubborn manager of the store and he later finds out that he has fallen in love with his co-worker. Their love for each other is unassuming, which adds to the wit of the performance.
Arpad, played by Brian Saice, was adorable and charming as the delivery boy for the store. He added to the charm of the musical as he aspired to be a store clerk. He brought a sense of innocence that was very underrated. His most adorable moment was while he was begging for a promotion.
The most memorable musical performance of the night was executed by Amalia in “Vanilla Ice Cream.” This was a crucial turning point in the play because she realized that Georg has fallen in love with her. Her sweet and innocent demeanor is portrayed beautifully with her silly pajamas and her wit shines as she is trying to find something to wear.
A humorous performance was shown by Erica VonBank, a manager of a romantic restaurant. She sang “A Romantic Atmosphere” to try to get her customers to keep the mood of the restaurant elegant and romantic. This gender-role breaking performance was hilarious.
The subplot “love” story involving Kodaly and () added another humorous element. With the duo, “Ilona” was a sassy number that compiled Kodaly’s acute feelings for her as she had more plans for their future.
The performance of She Loves Me was executed well with the essence of charm and innocence. The wit conveyed through the actors was both entertaining and persuading.
She Loves Me, directed by Michael Brindisi, was a classic romantic musical comedy set in 1930’s Hungary. As two Lonely Hearts Club writers fell in love and unknowingly became rival co-workers at a local parfumerie, the stage was set for a fun and light-hearted show that was sure to jerk some laughs and maybe even a few tears from the audience. The light-hearted love story was contrasted with the sub-plot of Mr. Maraczek’s marital issues, adding a bit of a twist into the show. The costumes, lighting, and set design blended together very well, creating an environment that was as pleasing to the eye as the music was to the ear.
ReplyDeleteMiklos Laszlo’s story has been performed and re-done many times, and for good reason. Love stories have always appealed to the audience, especially around the holidays. The UMD theater planned this performance perfectly, and brought out a bit of holiday spirit for everyone to enjoy. Ole Dack, playing Mr. Nowack, and Rebekah Meyer, playing Ms. Balash, were a dynamic duo, firing back and forth at each other all throughout the work day. The comic relief, provided by Brian Saice as Arpad, was always there to ease the tension. However, not everything was all fun and happy. Zach Churchill, playing Mr. Maraczek, was excellent at portraying the confusion, anger, and depression that Maraczek goes through as he learns his wife is having an affair. The snakey yet charming Mr. Kodaly, played by Luke Hager, gave off the impression that he was up to something, but the audience couldn’t quite pick it up until later in the performance.
While the songs and the orchestra took care of satisfying the ear, the costumes, lighting, and set took care of the visual aspects. The wonderful period costumes were well-suited to each character, from Maraczek’s businessman look to Arpad’s delivery boy outfit. The lighting design enhanced the mood in each scene, Ranging from purples and pinks to portray love, and darker, lower light in the more serious scenes, the lighting added just that little extra bit of detail onto each scene. The design of Maraczek’s parfumerie was both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The colors and design definitely looked like they belonged to a higher end shop, but they weren’t overly intricate, in order to keep the focus on the action. The front entryway and all of the clerk’s tables were on wheels, making for easy transitions.
She Loves Me was certainly meant to be a light-hearted and comedic performance, and it fulfilled this purpose. Additionally, the sub-plot gave the audience a look into the other side of a love story, where everything is not all fine and dandy. Overall, the performance was an excellent choice for the holiday theater-goer.
She Loves Me takes stage at UMD’s Marshall Performing Arts Center, giving the audience a dazzling performance of a not so foreign concept of a Hungarian play written back in 1937. While the modern theatregoer may be more familiar with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan’s ever popular You’ve got Mail, this performance succeeds at adding that familiar modern approach to one of the most under cherished theatrical productions recorded today. The University of Minnesota Duluth’s audacity to have guest director Michael Brindisi, Artistic Director of Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, deserves much respect for adding a extraordinary approach to this production. Showing the audience that in theatre if you have the stance of, ‘don’t step back, step up’, you’ll be pleased with a stunning performance, much like this production.
ReplyDeleteThe setting takes place back in the early 1930’s in a city in Europe, and not much could be better. As Arpad Laszlo, Brian Saice starts the show off with his charming boyish joyfulness of “Good Morning, Good Day”, showing that a positive attitude in most cases is contagious. As Steven Kodaly, Luke Harger joins in tune and vocal harmony is met when the two sing together.
As Georg Nowack, Ole Dack is ever charismatic in “Sounds While Selling” and “Thank You, madam #1. “ His bet to sell a musical cigarette box with his boss Mr. Maraczek, played by Zach Churchill is hilarious, and for the first time during the production we are shown Zach’s brilliant flair for acting as he plays the tough business tycoon and owner of Maraczek’s Parfumerie. His appearance seems not far off from that of US president Teddy Roosevelt, adding to the rustic and burliness of the character. His ‘teddy’ bear personality leaves you feeling like he’s a good friend, and someone whom you have known a lifetime.
Amalia Balash, played by Rebekah Meyer, immediately wins the heart of the audience with her marvelous outfit and upbeat personality, presumably directed and advised by Patricia Dennis. In Meyer’s solo “No More Candy”, her evocative approach leaves its own mark, with a hint of an Alison Krauss type of sensation. Later in Act II we once again see Meyer’s join Dack in “Where’s My Shoe?” and see the delivery of the duo brilliantly show some tack and improvement from their earlier butting of heads.
Audaciously one of the best scenes of the production, Erica Vonbank brings nothing less than, if not very close too, impeccability to her role as headwaiter. In this controversial role, it’s hard to believe and see that in the 1930’s women would have had that type of gender role, challenging even gender roles today. Nonetheless Vonbank’s highly comical solo “ A Romanic Atmosphere” almost brought the audience to their feet in approval.
With much respect, Jenna Mady’s creativity with the movement of the set as Scenic Designer was just shy of brilliant. More credit could be given; the set just needed more pizzazz and excitement, something that would grab the attention of the audience more. For an upscale parfumerie it appeared bland and subpar, taking away from the credit this performance so richly deserves. While Lighting Designer Wesley Darton’s added to many scenes, placement within different areas could have added some excitement to Mady’s ability to take Maraczek’s Parfumerie to the next level.
While almost all love stories are nonconforming, The University of Minnesota Duluth’s recent performance of She Loves Me runs parallel and rings true with this idea. When holiday bells ring, or when the bell of love rings, this performance is sure to ring true within your heart this holiday season, and will have you singing along with satisfaction.
Light snow was falling in Duluth on the night of December seventh creating a beautiful backdrop to the musical She Loves Me put on by the UMD theater department, directed by Michael Brindisi. The show centered on the love story of two fateful perfume shop clerks and there confusing journey towards love.
ReplyDeleteAmalia Balash, portrayed by Rebekah Meyer, was the leading focus of the show, from her love of her special one to her feisty need to be understood. Meyer carried the show with her crystal clear voice and energetic enthusiasm. Her heartfelt performance of “Will He Like Me” drew the audience in with the unanimous familiar feelings of unrequited love. Her performance was staggering and a delight. The audience favorite was without a doubt Arpad Laszlo, portayed by Brian Saice. His young and adorable energy set his character alive in “Try Me” with a beautiful juxtaposition to Mr. Maraczek, portrayed by Simon VanVactor-Lee.
The show’s set was eye catching and an important part in the show, as the main set was the interior and exterior of the perfume shop Maraczek’s, as well as the interior of the Café Imperiale. The main focus of the set was always set on the pink heart in the center of the doors leading to and from down stage.
While the shows music and set were aesthetically pleasing, the costume design was phenomenal. Patricia Dennis excelled in her vision of recreating the 1930’s Hungarian styles. The women were dressed in era appropriate, ankle length dresses and the men were dressed in fitted European styled suits. The most notable aspect of the costuming were the clerk uniforms used in the perfume shop, as they were a light blue for the men and a light pink for the women. They also had stitched emblems of and “M” for Maraczek’s.
This show was heartfelt, hilarious and heart wrenching and a definite must see. She Loves Me was a wonderful musical with hilarious scenes and an overall great feeling. It left the audience with a warm, fuzzy feeling to send us off into the holidays.
She Loves Me a musical directed by Michael Brindisi, is about two people who fall in love with each other through letters without even meeting each other. As the story goes on the audience finds out that the two actually already know each other and in real life they despise each other. She loves me is a light-hearted musical that has hints of darkness with the subplot of Mr. Maraczek. Throughout the play there where several times when something felt missing or wrong. Fortunately, most of this is covered up by being very funny, heartwarming, and having great cast.
ReplyDeleteIn the beginning when the audience is being told to shut off their cell phones and where the exists are located, it is said that the play is set in Hungary in the 1930’s. Throughout the play though there are no Hungarian accents and nothing that even remotely screamed out Hungarian. The entire time the audience was left to believe and was even reminded that it’s supposed to be in Hungary, but it isn’t shown at all. The musical is much more believable to be in America in the 1940’s. The only scene that could even remotely be considered Hungarian was the café scene. Even that scene could be just as believable to be a French restaurant. The reason that it is so strange is that it is specifically said to be set in Hungary and yet no effort is put into making it feel Hungarian.
The chipper and upbeat song “Good Morning, Good Day” starts the ball rolling in this lighthearted musical. This is just one example of the many fantastic musical numbers that helped make this a great musical. The singing and dancing done by the cast kept the play interesting and fun. The orchestra in the background did a fantastic job and didn’t miss a beat. The audio was fantastic and created a great blend of music mixed with singing and dialog.
The main characters of the show where Georg and Amalia, played by Ole Dack and Rebekah Meyer. This duo did a wonderful job from when we first see both of them, as they bicker at each other in the store to when they fall in love. They are both very believable and fun characters. The scene where the they are supposed to meet up at the “romantic” café was one of the most interesting scenes in the musical. When Georg finds out that his mystery writer is Amalia his reaction is hilarious. The two did fantastic acting that caused the scene to change from funny to sad when Amalia gets fed up with him and calls him all sorts of mean thing. This scene was made fantastic by the Head Waiter played by Erica VonBank fighting hard to make the café have a “romantic atmosphere”.
Unfortunately, Before the fantastic scene at the café there is a darker scene. Mr. Maraczek finds out that his wife had been cheating on him for one of his store clerks and he shoots himself. This felt extraordinarily rushed and unbelievable. From all that was shown of Mr. Maraczek he never seemed like a man that was on the verge of killing himself or even attempt to. He talked a little of his wife but the whole idea of him doing that because of cheating was so foreign that it felt unbelievable when he tried. Then when he comes back the next day and is almost completely fine with just an arm sling, his character goes from a great believable and interesting character to fake. The attempted suicide was never talked about or even addressed again. He was completely fine afterwards. The audience hears a gunshot and then a fall to the ground. Are we supposed to believe that he tried to kill himself, missed shooting himself in the arm then he falls? It felt tacked on for cheap drama and could have been dealt with better in almost any other way or just left out.
She Loves Me is a fun lighthearted romantic comedy. When it kept to its simple roots as a romantic comedy it was great. Some scenes in this play where dealt with poorly. Fortunately, those scenes where quickly overshadowed with the great acting, fantastic orchestra, and wonderful songs. She loves Me is entertaining to listen to and definitely worth watching.
She Loves Me, guest directed by Michael Brindisi of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, was a classical romantic comedy set in Hungary around the 1930’s. As two unsuspecting parfumerie clerks fall in love over letters in the lonely hearts club, this play was sure to have you on the balls of your feet, begging to know how it turns out. The play was set at Mr. Maraczek’s parfrumerie, creating an acute atmosphere for their love to grow with out knowing it. Although upon first meeting, they were not fond of each other only to find out their letter were being written to one another.
ReplyDeleteThe signing in this play was phenomenal. Ole Dack playing as Georg Nowack was the star of the show from his booming vocals to his convincing love story appeal. Another actor that stood out to me vocally was Rebekah Meyer playing as Amalia Balash, the new store clerk at Maraczek’s. From the moment she walked into the store forcefully selling the magical cigarette box to an unsuspecting costumer. Her vocals in, “No More Candy” was so convincing it had me wanting a magical candy box for myself. Along with that she gave us this sassy attitude towards Georg from the moment she walked in.
Another thing that made this play special was the music and lighting. The orchestra gave off a beautiful sounds that made the mood in the theatre so peacefully and full of love. The one thing should have been changed was the hiding behind the scenery. With plays like Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat they had the orchestra beautifully on display above the stage. This may just be an issue of space but it was awkward to see the composer looking through the scenery to see the queues for the magical cigarette box. Wesley Darton beautifully did the lighting for this play as he portrayed the mood of love over and over again in so many ways. When he put that violet purple color behind Luke Harger as Steven Kodaly and Emily Sue Bengtson as llona Ritter it gave the scene a feeling that dragged you in so far you thought it could be real. Wesley did a great job with capturing the essence of every scene in this one.
There are many things that brought this play together. With superior vocals and excellent acting, this play took shape in a way that makes it worth seeing over and over again. The mood in the Marshall Performing Arts Center was so soft and touching that it brought you on stage and allowed you to connect with each and every actor. The use of bringing the actors into the isles and connecting with the audience ever increased that feeling and it had you jealous of the one fortunate enough to be included in the performance. This is by far one of the top 5 plays that played in the twin ports area this season. A great performance for only $8, what better could you ask for?
She Loves Me, directed by Michael Brindisi, displayed showmanship that has left the audience guffawing, crying, and applauding at every turn. The elements that brought this musical to life undeniably fulfilled the romantic comedy genre that Mr. Brindisi was attempting to capture.
ReplyDeleteEverything from the costumes and music to the small labeling and details on props created an atmosphere that was entirely believable to be in the 1930s. The music was uplifting, light, and catchy. The actors’ singing went beautiful alongside the tune, and there was hardly any dissonance between the actors and the musical performers.
What took the audience's’ breath away was the star actress, Rebekah Meyer, playing as the female lovebird, Amalia Balash. The voice that came out of Rebekah was delightfully unexpected and impressive. Her solo song, Vanilla Ice Cream, was one of her most expressive performances about being deeply in love with Dear Friend; and when it ended on that high note, one could hear the fluttering in the hearts of others. As well deserved, the audience erupted in applause after that scene.
Another scene that stood out was the dinner at the cafe in which the two anonymous lovers were ‘supposed’ to meet. The Head Waiter, portrayed by Erica Vonbank, was an incredible singer. Her accent for the character was the cherry-on-top for her pretentious personality that ironically clashed with her romantic idealism in which she loved to call, “a romantic at-mos-sphyar.” Even with her strict ways, much humor was brought to the scene especially when servants would dance about in the most undignified way with the customers when she wasn’t around. All in all, hilarity ensued.
In terms of acting, it is impossible to not mention Zach Churchill who played as Mr. Maraczek. Knowing that this play was produced by UMD’s Dept. of Theater, it was expected that finding a student to play a gruff, tempered, pudgy businessman would be a challenge. The trope is well known, so high expectations were placed. However, Zach fit the role perfectly. It was hard to believe that a student could portray an older gentleman so realistically. The anger, the resentment, the red-faced yelling; it was all so flawless that it was forgotten that Zach is not actually that kind of person (or to assume so). Excellent acting all around.
Overall, the production of the play was a wild success. There was not a thing out of place and it’s hard to imagine what needed large improvement. Mr Brindisi has done excellent work in making his vision come true. What a terrific play, with a Christmassy ending, to end the school semester on.
Play: She Loves Me by University of Minnesota Duluth’s School of Fine Arts
ReplyDeleteReviewed by: Sarah Adkins
Based on a play by Miklos Laszlo, She Loves Me is a classic story about an unlikely romance between two peers. UMD’s school of fine arts kept this classic alive and well this fall with beautiful music, wonderful scenery, and energetic acting. Directed by Michael Brinidisi, well known for his work at the Chanhassen dinner Theatre, UMD’s production of She Loves Me is one well worth seeing.
Even before the production began the beautiful scenery, designed by Jenna Mady, set the tone for the fantastic musical to come. A corner front shop decked out with light pink accents and a heart shaped door, known as Maraczek’s, took center stage. Through the lattice work that created the storefront windows, the orchestra behind peeked through, creating a sort of suspension of existence for the orchestra during the performance. After a brief violin solo by Rebecca Farmer, the cast entered, and the entire storefront set was spun around completely changing the scene from a store front window to the cheery interior of a parfumerie. No matter the angle however, the scenic design managed to help create the cheerful and romantic atmosphere (no pun intended) that carried on through the entirety of the play.
Speaking of romantic atmospheres, Erica VonBank, who played the disgruntled and humorous waitress, had people roaring with laughter during the A Romantic Atmosphere number. With just the right amount of over the top mannerisms along with a ridiculous accent, VonBank might have been responsible for the most successful scene in the play. VonBank’s ingenious response to her fellow actors and her commanding presence on stage went a long way in making the scene wonderful. After having raved over VonBank’s performance, however, it is the performances of the two lead characters that also deserve high praise.
Rebekah Meyer, responsible for the role of Amalia Balash, and Ole Dack, who played the role of Georg Nowack, were fantastic on stage. The transformation the pair go through in their roles during the play was made tangible through the two actor’s performances. From hilarious bickering to a hopeful crush to true love, the two actors played off of each other in such a natural way that it was hard to believe the two weren’t in love off stage. Furthermore, each of the actors were spectacular singers, with Meyer having a some shining moments during the Where’s My Shoe and Vanilla Ice Cream numbers, and Dack making the audience laugh once again during his own solo, She Loves Me.
The play was wonderful, and though only a few of the many names responsible for it’s success have been mentioned, every member involved in the production deserve props, from the costumes, to the lighting, the choreography, and of course the acting, every part of this play was on point, and as close to perfect as almost any production can get. Though the story is a romance, it is still sure to entertain a wide variety, so whether a prospective audience member is looking to see this classic done right, or is simply looking for a few hours of great singing and good humor, this is a production that comes highly recommended.
The play “She Loves Me” was a family fun play which incorporated a lot of light hearted topics with a couple of dark topics. Miklos Laszlo did an amazing job a creating a play that will keep everyone of all ages interested. The UMD Department of Theatre did their job at interpreting what he wrote and show a lot of the raw emotions these characters were going through.
ReplyDeleteJenna Mady and everyone else involved did a superb job at creating the stage. Even though the stage never changed the wall designed in the back was designed so it could fit all the scenes in the play. This made an easy transition from scene to scene. They also did not go over the top when designing the set pieces. Just a simple moving of tables made the audience shift from place to place. The Patricia Dennis also did a good job at creating a light hearted atmosphere. All of the costumes gave the feeling of a high life culture. The costume designers also created a distinct line between the people who worked at the shop and the people who were buying things from their shop.
Another part of the production that went extremely well was the timing between the actors and the musicians. The audience never felt as if the actors were rushing their song lines or visa versa. The music didn’t get old either, they had a nice mix of songs. The music also never had the same sense of dullness that you get with most musicals. Patrick Colvin really knew what he was doing when selecting and preparing this music.
The actors are what pulled this musical all together. There isn’t any specific person who did a better job at anyone else. Everyone did their part and did not make themselves bigger than they needed to be. Even when they were not the center of attention they did a good job at acting and reacting. Even when things went wrong they did a good job at acting like it was suppose to happen. They never missed a beat.
Overall She Loves Me was a very successful play done by UMD Theatre Company. Just by the looks of this show you can tell everyone did their parts backstage in making sure this was a successful musical. It really was a joy to watch.
“She Loves Me”
ReplyDeleteUMD Theatre Department
Review by: Kavya Bhatnagar.
The UMD Theatre Department pulled off another spectacular theatre production called She Loves Me from December 1st to 9th at Marshall Performing Arts Center on the main stage. Beautiful, heart-touching and comic at the same. It made everyone feel the love. She Loves Me is a simple light-hearted musical which takes place in Budapest, Hungary, particularly at a shop named Maraczek’s Parfumerie. The story revolves around two characters who unexpectedly falls in love with each other. They are the people who work together and hate each other, but they didn’t know they fell for each other through letters which they sent each other anonymously.
The most important thing which made the play successful was great performance by all the actors. The role of Amalia Balash was played by Rebekah Meyer who did a splendid job. Her beautiful act made everyone fall in love with her. In songs like “I don’t Know his name” and Dear Friend” she poured her heart out. Opposite her was Ole Dack, who played the role of Georg Nowack. He was able to show his romantic and comic sides effortless. Their chemistry was commendable and with the help of other actors the play became unforgettable. Brian Saice who played Arpad Laszlo, the positive delivery boy, made the audience cheerful whenever he entered the stage.
The guest director Michael Brindisi did a fantastic job in putting all the important parts of play together and made it a huge success. All the musicals were well executed and appropriate for the show, adding to that the orchestra was mesmerizing. A well-choreographed performance was “twelve days to Christmas” where the timing played an important part and it was done nicely and another performance which was interesting according to me was “vanilla Ice Cream”.
The lighting of the space was very important and it was wonderfully done by Mark Harvey and Wesley Darton. Bright colors were used to represent different seasons which was beautiful in all aspects. The blue winter light was so peaceful. All the lights made the show interesting to watch. The large scenery design which was an important piece for the show was designed by Jenna Mady. The idea of making it multipurpose was brilliant and it gave the idea of the plays theme.
She Loves me was a perfectly executed show with great actors, good songs, Appropriate lighting and interesting set design. It was a cute and funny musical with a great story. It left the audience with a warn and happy feeling. A good show to watch in this beautiful holiday season.
Referring to this show Brindisi said “Here’s to hoping you fall in love, or fall in love all over again”.
She loves me was an classic innocent romantic comedy. The contrast between the main storyline of the innocent love of two perfume clerks , and the subplot of a divorcee. It was centered around the misunderstandings of each character, making the audience feel sympathetic.
ReplyDeleteThe performances that are most notable would have to be: Brian Saice as Arpad Lazlo, Zach Churchill as Mr. Maraczech, and Rebeccah Meyer as Amalia Balash.
Brian Saice as Arpad Lazlo did not really have anything antagonistic going on towards him, but was the comic relief of the show. The scenes between Saice and Churchill were heartwarming, as they seemingly shared a mentor and mentee relationship. Saice’s portrayal of Arpad Lazlo was heartwarming due to how innocent the character was. Lazlo is seen as innocent due to his efforts to become a clerk, such as memorizing every product and price for it. Lazlo’s work ethic is similar to Spongebob Squarepants.
Zach Churchill’s portrayal of Mr. Maraczech was sympathetic. At first he was shown to be quite harsh and unreasonably horrid, but then figuring out the circumstances leading to the subplot, it made the audience feel sympathetic towards him. Churchill pulled of the portrayal, placing the character in a positive light. It was surprising to find Churchill young as his makeup and costume made him look older than expected. The chemistry between Saice and Churchill made the performance emotional. They pulled off having a grandfather, grandson relationship even though the actors were nearly the same age.
Rebeccah Meyer as Amalia Balash was astonishing. Meyer’s first scene selling the musical “candy” box, she was full of charisma. The audience could capture and relate to how she felt, while she was singing “does he like me,” because of that nervous feeling someone would get when confronting their crush.
Overall, She loves me was a heartwarming performance. The performances of Brian Saice, Zach Churchill, and Rebeccah Meyer brung out the best of the characters, making the classic romantic comedy worth seeing during the holidays.
The UMD theatre department did an absolute amazing job of preforming She Loves Me. She Loves Me is a musical play directed by Michael Brindisi, who owns the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre in St. Paul/ Minneapolis.
ReplyDeleteThe story She Loves Me was about two characters who unexpectedly fall in love with each other. The members were all energetic and the romantic musical play kept everyone laughing most of the time and the actions the actors performed made it even better for the audience. I loved both act one and act two because both parts were entertaining. Amalia Balash and Georg Nowack relationship was interesting to see where it would end up cause of the actor’s costumes, something they made noticeable was that it was during the 1930s. Amalia Balash was played by Rebekah Meyer as a sweet and hopelessly romantic young girl. Amalia falls in love with Georg Nowack who was played by Ole Dack. One of the most memorable musical performance of the night was when Amalia being in “Vanilla Ice Cream.” This was a significant in the play because she founds out that Georg falls in love with her.
Another actor who caught the audience's attention was Luke Hanger who was played by Kodaly. As soon as he took on the stage, his facial expression made him slick. During his song he performed after being fired from the perfumery, he showcased his acting talent with captivating choreography and eye catching expressions. Also Brian Saice who played Arpad Laszlo, was great because the whole room seemed to have this exciting mood and he just brought joy to the whole place whenever he entered the room.
Overall, the production of the play was a success. She Loves Me was a wonderful musical with hilarious scenes and an overall great feeling. Though the story is a romance, it is still sure to entertain a wide variety, so whether a prospective audience member is looking to see this classic done right, or is simply looking for a few hours of great singing and good humor, It really was a joy to watch.
She Loves Me
ReplyDeleteUMD Theatre
Misrak Teka
She loves me was originally a play by Miklos Laszlo that opened last week Friday by the UMD Marshall Performing Arts Center. The show was directed by Michael Brindisi and a guest musical director Joe Masteroff. The Music was by Jerry Bock and lyrics were by Sheldon Harnick. She loves me was a romantic comedy that took place in Budapest, Hungary. The show was heartwarming and very entertaining.
The play writes intention was to capture the pride and denial of two hearts in love. The artist achieved in capturing the hearts and smile of the audience with the brilliant piece of writing. The attempt to provide a comedy and yet a sweet love story plot was blended very smoothly. The story line was about a love story between two pen pals who worked in a beauty shop but didn’t know their identity. The supporting characters also had their own charming story that made the play diverse. For example, the second female coworker story who had difficulty finding love was very touching and relatable. Even if the supporting characters were there to highlight the main characters in the play but their script showed their happy ending. The emotional relation with all the characters and the personal connection with the audience made the play balanced and successful.
Another significant contributor to the play were the group of talented actors that did an amazing job. All actors had amazing vocal skills and were brilliant and talented individuals that surprised the audience. One of the most outstanding performance was done by the character Ilona. She was captivating and entertain with the song “a trip to the library”. Another great example that made the audience bust out laughing was the song “where is my shoe” by Amalia and Georg. The orchestra in the show was magnificent throughout the show. They did part of the sound system with instruments and was very exact for every action. The orchestra and the actors were a perfect blend of harmony.
The colorful personalities in addition to the beautiful set design was out of the world. The costumes themselves made the heart fill with young and naïve kind of love. This show by far had the most colorful and bold patterns ever put on a set at UMD this month. The beautiful bright colored lighting system was the charry on top for the show. The lighting also created happy and sparkling moments at times of singing. the entire production of sound, light, and costume was a perfect blend of reach experience for a first timer to a musical show. The play was worth attending with every ounce of energy in one’s body. This is the show to go see to bighting up the day and smile ear to ear.
She Loves Me
ReplyDeleteReview by Casi Matelski
On December 4, the University of Minnesota Duluth performed the endearing musical, She Loves Me, directed by Michael Brindisi.
Many members claim that the musical production She Loves Me was a gem in the holiday season. In the most absurdist aspect, the show performed different from the typical kind of cheer related events that would associate a perfect Christmas production worth seeing.
Among the light hearted banter of working for retail in a more specific season such as the winter holidays, the story touched upon subjects that counteracted against the productions elevated preconceptions.
The show touched upon the topics of suicide, the insecurities of blind dating, adultery, work affiliated affairs, and dingy, money hungry connoisseurs. Presumably an interesting array of subjects for a so called, perfect holiday rendition of a seasonal production.
However, the director had the ability to get out of the serious situations to turn the production into a happy ending with the aid of the actors and the ultimate setup of events.
In the set up, most of the harder topics panned out in the beginning and were solved throughout as the performance moved forward. The more serious situations helped aid to the productions forward movement.
The actors were able to provide believable characteristics that fit well with their roles and had performed well on the musical numbers.
For instance, actor Ilona Ritter, retail clerk at Maraczek’s, was really able to accomplish the feelings that captivate what it feels like emotionally to be in an insecure relationship. She woefully fulfilled her duties of a woman wanting to fall in love with someone that had also equally loved her back. The comedic and romantically hopeful song “A Trip to the Library” gave hope to the idea of never giving up.
“A Romantic Atmosphere” performed by Erica VonBank, was styled as a glorified head waiter that had on an outfit similar to that of a conductor which had appropriately captured the comedic attempt to fulfill a romantic atmosphere. Her character, held the appearance and movements similar to that of a cartoon as she walked around while trying to keep people in order without ruining the romance.
“Where’s my Shoe?” performed by Amalia and Georg, was impressively chaotic and a little luny. Amalia had flailed around in a vain attempt to find her shoe so that she could convince Georg of her ability to work hard, while Georg all too willingly tried to get her to settle down. At this point, the chemistry began to blossom and their relationship was ready to be built.
Student set designer Jenna Mady had created a scenery that suited the main idea of love by painting the backdrop in light colors such as a pink and yellow. In the see through windows the orchestra was seen from the other side and had appeared to be playing within the confines of the parfumerie which created a neat effect.
The orchestra had played perfectly in sync with the actors and had done so in a way that aided to the characters movements, which added to the comedy of the show. For instance, in the dance number, “Ilona,” the cha cha was seductive and had randomly stopped when the actors did. Considering the conductor of the orchestra was facing the opposite direction of the actors, they did a good job at stopping and transitioning their music when needed to.
Although the production of She Loves Me touched upon taboo topics of the 1930s, the show was able to captivate the emotional ups and downs of the events that took place without having a negative affect.
Audience members with an interest of seeing relationships conspire in the midst of real life problems would have a great time relating to the events that take place and would ultimately leave on a happier note than having come in the beginning.
She Loves Me, performed in MPAC on the UMD campus, featured a cast of 16 talented actors. Throughout this sweet and charming musical, Rebekah Meyer, playing Amalia Balash graced the stage with her lovely voice. She was the perfect actress to play this determined yet lovable character. On the other hand, Ole Dack as Georg Nowack delivered a comical performance and shared a voice that complimented Meyer’s well. Emily Sue Bengtson was a spectacular choice for the role of Ilona Ritter, who spiced up scenes in Maraczek’s Parfumerie with her spunk and confidence. Brian Saice performing as Arpad conveyed a comical youthfulness and a happy go lucky attitude that balanced out the more serious tones that arose in the show. Erica VonBank playing the Head Waiter caused the audience to erupt in laughter by the end of her hilarious refrain of “A Romantic Atmosphere”. Each actor in She Loves Me gave a lovely and uplifting performance.
ReplyDeleteScenic designer Jenna Mady created a romantic set that glowed with an array of gentle pink and red lights designed by Wesley Darton. An adorable pastel colored set piece that could be spun around to reveal a new location was in the center of the stage and served the show well. Mady did a terrific job capturing the romantic essence of this musical in her set design. The heart shaped doors of the parfumerie in particular were just what this cutesy show called for. As for the far upstage space, a live band filled that area. It resided behind the large multipurpose set piece that consumed the majority of the stage. Though band members were in plain sight at all times, once the show began, it was as if they disappeared entirely. Audience members were far too entranced by the action and musical numbers to pay much attention to the musicians in the back. However they sounded wonderful playing alongside the strong voices of the cast.
She Loves Me was advertised as a romantic comedy, and that it was. Although, one weakness of the show itself was that at times it came off as a little too corny. When the Maraczek’s Parfumerie employees would bid their customers goodbye, it got to be a bit much. Between the dinky tune of their goodbye song to the awkward movements the actors did in unison while they sung, those moments were sickeningly cheesy. Aside from that, the storyline of She Loves Me was very easy to follow. There were not any confusing subplots or hidden themes. The show was just plain fun. It also included some romantic songs that were quite relatable. It was the perfect heartwarming musical for the holiday season.
She Loves Me was directed by Michael Brindisi, an accomplished director who is known for his work with the Chanhassen dinner theatre. Brindisi certainly brought with him a spectacular level of professionalism and set even higher standards for the UMD theatre department. It was clear that he had put a lot of effort towards constructing a meaningful show full of love and warmth. From the beautiful costuming work of Patricia Dennis that reflected the show’s time period wonderfully, to the efforts of the talented actors of UMD and all of the other behind the scenes wizards involved, She Loves Me turned out to be a darling musical and a true success.
‘She Loves Me’ is a long time favorite of theatre people, based on a Hungarian play written in 1937. The UMD theatre department premiered ‘She Loves Me’ on December 1, 2016 and performed through December 10, 2016, directed by Michael Brindisi. This tasty tale of love lost and also love found at the workplace all seems to work together in the end and creates a night full of love, comedy and lively music.
ReplyDeleteThough the show may seem simple to put on, it is everything but that. ‘She Loves Me’ succeeds in making the audience feel personally engaged with every one of its seven principal characters, who all work together at Maraczek’s Parfumerie and somehow convinces the audience that the best way to get to know people is through the melody of song.
This is not just sunshine and some songs put together. The harmony is not all pervasive, this is a place of business, inhabited with an assortment of personalities that all seem to clash in some sort of way. For reasons unknown, Mr. Maraczek begins acting nastily at his trusted employee George Nowack (Ole Dack), who in turn cannot seem to get along with the newest employee Amelia Balash (Rebekah Meyer), and that is where the whole story begins.
Dack and Meyer created nothing but a realistic tone to the production and stole the shows heart and soul. But yet, every performer still brought their own style to the performance and did an outstanding job working the pieces together.
Emily Sue Bengston (Ilona) and Meyer’s glorious voices reached throughout the whole theatre that kept everyone on their toes. Meyer’s voice was clear cut which made her fit for her character almost foolproof.
On the other hand, costume and makeup designer Patricia Dennis did an excellent job in recreating the illusion of another time and place with the help of Scenic Director, Jenna Mady. Even though Mady may have lacked the elegance and richness of a Hungarian Parfumerie in the 1930’s, she still managed to get the point across.
With the 9-piece orchestra under the wings of conductor Patrick Colvin, the music was set on point and never off-beat. Which created a smooth feel to performances.
Choreographer, Rebecca Katz Harwood did an impeccable job creating the Cafe Imperiale scene mixing together a combination of romance and swing dance.
Guest director Brindisi writes in his notes within the play bill that he hopes “you fall in love, or fall in love all over again.” Finding this as one of the main themes with this performance, as some characters seem to lose their way on the love rollercoasting as others find themselves just jumping on. ‘She Loves Me’ was a day dream of the ordinary. It was hard to believe that college students were able to come together and put on such an alluring production.
UMD theatre put on a wonderful production of She Loves Me this winter. This show is uplifting, hilarious, and entertaining. The show had many highlights, some of those features include the cast, choreography, music, and stage set up.
ReplyDeleteThe cast of this show was outstanding. Each member was able to dance, sing, and act extraordinarily. One actress that stood out tremendously was Rebekah Meyer who played the woman lead, Amalia Balash. She had one of the best voices on the stage and was able to hit very difficult notes along with an astonishing vocal range. Not only Rebekah had a good voice but the main cast all had strong singing abilities. Each major character performed a solo in a song that they were able to show off their voice. Another character that stood out positively was a minor character played by Erica VonBank. Erica played a very impressive head waiter. She not only was humorous but she did a good accent and was able to dance well.
The show had excellent choreography done by Rea Katz Harwood. Along with ballroom dancing most of the cast beautifully danced the tango. Whenever there was a dance scene the music went really well with the dance moves going on.
All the music in the show is catchy. There were also many songs that contained funny lyrics that were able to constantly keep the audience entertained. The orchestra of this show was talented and played strongly.
Because of the thrust stage the orchestra was placed on the stage behind the big set piece that remained on stage throughout the show. This big set piece represented a wall on the outside and inside of the store and represented other rooms. They not only used the stage during the performance but they also used the stairs going up to the stage as well as the rows between the audience. The use of the extra space as well as the thrust stage made the performance seem closer making everything easily visible.
She Loves Me was an outstanding production at UMD. This show was definitely worth the price considering that there was no bad seat in the house! The choreography was good especially along with the superb music. Of course, the show would not have been as good as it was if it wasn’t for the exceptional cast! This uplifting show was definitely one to see!
She Loves Me at The University of Minnesota Duluth was as brilliant as it was charming. From the singing to the set, this show will sweep you off your feet!
ReplyDeleteThe set and overall mood were excellent. The rotating store front with the cute heart cut-out door and the ribbon that framed the whole stage created a pretty picture with every scene. The lighting was also a major part of the show. It turned the store front different colors and shades giving each setting in the show its own flavor. There was also a fair number of spotlights used in the show. They were used when characters would go into the aisles to sing which intelligently distracted the audience from the set changes as well as highlighting the actor. The set was humble and did not have the bang you would expect from a musical like She Loves Me, but that subtlety was a good choice because the actors did not need an elaborate set to dazzle their audience.
The two lead characters Amalia Balash (Rebekah Meyer) and Georg Nowack (Ole Dack) were wonderful. Meyer and Dack were popping with charm. Both carried their own unique energy to the stage. Erica VonBank as the Head Waiter was a pleasant surprise and perhaps one of the funniest characters. “Romantic Atmosphere” was one of the highlights of the show because of VonBank’s hilarious acting. Another stand out supporting actor was Brian Sacie who played Arpad Laszlo. He was casted perfectly for this role not only because of his looks, but because he had that child-like energy and innocence down to a T. Everyone who walked onto the stage brought the kind of acting quality and talent that you would expect to see at the Guthrie or Chanhassen Theatres.
The music was also amazing. The Orchestra, located behind the set, played Sheldon Harnick’s and Jerry Bock’s brilliant music. You can tell by the score that they also composed Fiddler on the Roof by the occasional nuances of that distinct Fiddler sound found in She Loves Me. Everyone that sang had wonderful voices. Emily Sue Bengtson who played IIona Ritter really stood out as having her own tone of voice specific to her character. She sang in tune, but had an unshakeable nagging character voice which propelled her performance even further. Meyer also had a wonderful voice. “Vanilla Ice Cream,” one of the most popular songs in the show, was performed flawlessly with her clear and crisp soprano voice. The chorus was also dazzling. Their voices blended fully and brought unique character to the stage. Overall, the music in She Loves Me was impeccable. The classic and incredibly catchy tunes will bounce around in your head for hours!
She Loves Me was simply excellent. Every aspect of the show was so well done and detailed. No matter if you have seen this show a million times or never, you will certainly fall in love with this production of She Loves Me!
University of Minnesota Duluth put on the Tony award winning musical She Loves Me from December 1st and closing on December 11th. A charming musical about two anonymous pen pals who fall in love, but don’t realize that they see each other every day while working at Mr. Maraczek parfrumerie. Directed by director Michael Brindisi from the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, made the production energetic and broke the wall between audience and actors by having some scenes almost in the audiences’ laps.
ReplyDeleteWhere would any production be without the leading lady and man; Rebekah Meyer portraying Amalia Balash and Ole Dack portraying as Georg Nowack. Dack’s was enthralling enough but when singing “She Loves Me” the enthusiasm and joy that his was portraying was almost so real one almost forgot that he wasn’t actually Georg Nowack. Dack’s energy was matched perfectly with the energy of Meyer played Amalia Balash as a stubborn headed, passionate young woman. Meyer was able to show Balash’s temper and utter stubbornness throughout the show, but it was most apparent when she was sing “Where’s My Shoe?” an uproarious scene in which Dack is trying to get Meyer to calm down and rest. Meyer’s spontaneous energy and stubbornness to prove that she can get to work while having a childlike temper tantrum was sidesplitting. Meyer acted like any child who wasn’t getting their way and even resorted to jumping on the bed to make her point across.
Another charming character in the musical was Steven Kodaly, portrayed by Luke Harger. Harger really made the flirtatious and suave Kodaly a lovable character all the way up to the end when found out his true intentions. Harger was fun to watch when trying to re-seduce Ilona in the song “Ilona” and “Grand Knowing You” with his double meaning moves and actions. In direct contrast a younger more innocent man Arpad Laszlo, played by Brain Saice. Saice portrayal of Laszlo in his desire to grow and become a cashier in the song “Try Me” was adorable and was difficult to hide a smile when he was able to “short change” his boss in his pursuit of the position.
An interesting aspect of the show that was interesting to see was the see through set that showed the orchestra in the background. Although seemingly confusing notion for an audience member to see the orchestra rather than have them in the pit, the idea actually gave the performance a larger since or romance. Almost as if a full orchestra followed these two lovers where ever they went.
By: Kjersta Unzen
University of Minnesota Duluth put on the Tony award winning musical She Loves Me from December 1st and closing on December 11th. A charming musical about two anonymous pen pals who fall in love, but don’t realize that they see each other every day while working at Mr. Maraczek parfrumerie. Directed by director Michael Brindisi from the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, made the production energetic and broke the wall between audience and actors by having some scenes almost in the audiences’ laps.
ReplyDeleteWhere would any production be without the leading lady and man; Rebekah Meyer portraying Amalia Balash and Ole Dack portraying as Georg Nowack. Dack’s was enthralling enough but when singing “She Loves Me” the enthusiasm and joy that his was portraying was almost so real one almost forgot that he wasn’t actually Georg Nowack. Dack’s energy was matched perfectly with the energy of Meyer played Amalia Balash as a stubborn headed, passionate young woman. Meyer was able to show Balash’s temper and utter stubbornness throughout the show, but it was most apparent when she was sing “Where’s My Shoe?” an uproarious scene in which Dack is trying to get Meyer to calm down and rest. Meyer’s spontaneous energy and stubbornness to prove that she can get to work while having a childlike temper tantrum was sidesplitting. Meyer acted like any child who wasn’t getting their way and even resorted to jumping on the bed to make her point across.
Another charming character in the musical was Steven Kodaly, portrayed by Luke Harger. Harger really made the flirtatious and suave Kodaly a lovable character all the way up to the end when found out his true intentions. Harger was fun to watch when trying to re-seduce Ilona in the song “Ilona” and “Grand Knowing You” with his double meaning moves and actions. In direct contrast a younger more innocent man Arpad Laszlo, played by Brain Saice. Saice portrayal of Laszlo in his desire to grow and become a cashier in the song “Try Me” was adorable and was difficult to hide a smile when he was able to “short change” his boss in his pursuit of the position.
An interesting aspect of the show that was interesting to see was the see through set that showed the orchestra in the background. Although seemingly confusing notion for an audience member to see the orchestra rather than have them in the pit, the idea actually gave the performance a larger since or romance. Almost as if a full orchestra followed these two lovers where ever they went.
By: Kjersta Unzen
UMD’s theatre department put on yet another great production this past week titled “She Loves Me” directed by Michael Brinidisi. This romantic comedy was filled with catchy music with a live orchestra, great dance numbers, and tremendous acting that beautifully portrayed this lighthearted love story.
ReplyDeleteThe scenery was absolutely beautiful. The massive prop was so effective to double as both inside and the outside of Maraczek’s Perfumeries. The props clearly had a great deal of thought put into them also. From the little perfume and lotion bottles in the shop, to the books on Amalia’s desk and the clothes hanging in her wardrobe, they all fit the story and time period perfectly.
Lighting designer, Wesley Darton, did a wonderful job with the lighting. By using cool colors to reflect the cold of winter nights, it contrasted well with the pink and red tones to reflect the warmth of love.
But what is good aesthetics without the acting? Fortunately, this cast did a tremendous job, with not only their acting, but singing and dancing as well.
The two most obvious characters that stood out were Ole Dack and Rebekah Meyer who played the main characters, Georg Nowack and Amalia Balash. They both did a great job at transitioning between loathing each other and slowly falling in love. The whole audience was able to laugh and cry with them as they stumbled their way into love. Another actor that stood out was Luke Harger who played Steven Kodaly. It seemed almost effortlessly transitioning from a random store clerk to almost the story’s new villain.
Playing opposite him, Emily Sue Bengston did a tremendous job playing the ditzy character, Ilona. One of her songs “A Trip to the Library”, where she explains that she met an optometrist one day at the library, she left the audience on Wednesday night hysterically laughing.
Brian Saice as Arpad Lazlo served as the comedic relief for this show. He played the hopeful and overly optimistic delivery boy for the shop, but Saice provided the comedic moments and liveliness when needed.
She Loves Me is simply a lighthearted romantic comedy, but with the right cast, it is something truly spectacular, which is what it turned out to be. Michael Brinidisi did a wonderful job bringing this musical to UMD. The actors did a great job at connecting with the audience and everything else involved made this production something you wouldn’t want to miss.
Guest director Michael Brindisi’s production of She Loves Me was a one of kind romantic comedy that played in the Marshall Performing Arts Center from December 1st through December 10th. This romantic comedy included the story of two characters falling in love without realizing it till the very end.
ReplyDeleteShe Loves Me couldn’t have been the successful production it was without the lighting designed by Wesley Darton. Darton created effects to show different seasons, settings, or the time of day with no props. Just lights. For example, it was always obvious what time of day and you could tell when it was winter. He did an excellent job of depicting things without having to change the set which was very unique. In addition to this, the setting inside of the parfumerie was bright which is exactly how you would expect a parfumerie to be.
Sound designer Alex Flinner had an interesting approach to what kind of music and sounds were used. The sounds in She Loves Me weren’t the same as some ordinary play. The sound and music of this play were played live by an orchestra of nine conducted by Patrick Colvin. Colvin and Flinner connected very well in the music portion of this play. In addition to Flinner and Colvin, choreographer Rebecca Katz Hardwood also worked well with the music in this play. The mood seemed to be shown through singing and dancing very well. From a type of square dancing in the café to intimate dancing in the parfumerie, the chemistry between the characters in this play was presented very well.
Scenic Designer Jenna Mady and Props Master Kia Lor, created an older feeling set. Mady and Lor did a great job of getting the idea across that it was an old parfumerie without making everything look too old to the point where it would look cheesy. The set may have been missing some 1930’s features but the idea was still obvious and appealing to the eye.
Without the unique personalities of the performers in this play, this production wouldn’t have been the same. Each character made it seem like the play was a reality. The emotions were believable. Luke Harger, playing as Steven Kodaly, brings his character to life through his smoothness and finess in each scenario he was a part of. Never missing a step or stuttering a single line, Harger was comfortable and able to play his character very well. Amalia Balash played by Rebekah Meyer, and Georg Nowack played by Ole Dack, had chemistry on stage from the first dispute over Amalia getting hired at Maraczek’s all the way to them ending up together in the end of Act Two. Their connection was obvious and it was the typical scenario of nothing getting in the way but their own stubbornness. This added another level of grabbing the audience’s attention. It was known that they would end up together, but when and how? Michael Brindisi carried out this plot line very well.
From the set and everything that changes the image of it, to the orchestra and actors, Michael Brindisi’s She Loves Me had its own unique characteristics. Throughout the whole emotional rollercoaster of this play, there was tragedy, love, and of course laughs along the way, which is what should be within a romantic comedy and this play couldn’t have depicted it any better.
She Loves Me was a classic musical about two people falling in love over letters, but hating each other publicly. The play is based off of a Hungarian play written in 1937 by Miklos Laszlo. The story was popularized by the movies “The Shop Around the Corner” and “You’ve Got Mail”. This production, under the direction of Michael Brindisi, was an enticing romantic comedy that included stellar vocals, acting, and costume design.
ReplyDeleteThe singing during the performance was nothing short of entrancing. As Amalia Balash, Rebekah Meyer captivated the audience with her gorgeous soprano singing voice. She also demonstrated her acting range by inducing laughter during her comedic song “Where’s My Shoe?” and quieting the theater when she sang “Will He Like Me?”. Her love interest George Nowack, played by Ole Dack, was utterly charming. Dack’s vocals during the titular song was breathtaking, and his chemistry with Meyer was apparent during almost every scene they were together. It was especially notable during “Where’s My Shoe?”, as their interactions elicited laughs all through the scene.
The leads performance was enhanced by a very strong supporting cast. Brian Saice as Arpad gave every scene energy with his enthusiastic movements and facial expressions. Luke Hangar as Steven Kodaly was a perfect villain, and his goodbye song, “Grand Knowing You”, was executed fantastically. The actress of Ilona Ritter, Emily Sue Bengtson, was not as standout as her surrounding cast. Her voice sounded delicate in her song “I Resolve”, and it was difficult to understand her at times. Her acting was fine, and her character finally telling off Kodaly drew cheers from the audience.
The work by Costume Designer Patricia Dennis was noticeable in every scene. Her designs were the key to detecting the time period of the play since the set was not very extravagant. In the opening number, “Good Morning, Good Day”, Saice rode out on a bicycle dressed in a newsboy hat and overalls and tie like he was in the 1930s. This instantly told the audience what time period the play was in, and the ladies who visited the perfumery were all dressed to the time period as well. The costumes also indicated a change in season. In the beginning of the play, characters were dressed in light clothing. But after Arpad not so subtly announced that it was winter, actors were always seen in winter coats anytime they were outside a building.
She Loves Me had a typical cliche plotline about love, but despite this managed to have an engaging story, ripe with a combination of humor and more serious moments. Impressive performances by the leads and their supporting casts along with clever costume design contributed to the charming aspect of the show, making it one to remember.
The play She Loves Me put on by the University of Minnesota School of Fine Arts was an unexpected surprise to the senses that showed off everything great about the theater program in Duluth. The musical centered around the love story of Amalia Balash played by Rebekah Meyer and Georg Nowack played by Ole Dack, and was an inspiring story of the ability to find the best in people despite first impressions. Accompanying the actors singing voices was a live orchestra conducted by Patrick Colvin, which perfectly complemented to the singing voices of the actors, and the music fit the mood of each scene perfectly. The set design of the play was also very impressive with a great storefront opening with functioning doors that rotated as to display that the actors were either in the inside or the outside of the shop. It’s true that the music, set design, and lighting are all extremely important to the success and atmosphere of the play but what really grabbed the attention of the audience was the acting and singing capability of the students in the play.
ReplyDeleteWith She Loves Me being a romantic musical the singing was a crucial part of the play, and during the entire performance all the songs were spectacular. The singing of the students on stage was great for three main reasons. Firstly, the tone, pitch, and volume that the students were able to produce was very unexpected in a college level production, surely there were numerous people in the audience that were not expecting the fantastic voices that the actors possessed out of a college level production. Secondly, the amount of expression and emotion that the actors were able to put into each and every one of the songs really helped portray the emotion of their character in that scene. For example, in the song “She Loves Me” which some would say was the most impactful song of the entire play. The song was about Georg discovering that he loved Amalia and that Amailia loved him, and it was about the joy and terror that he felt because of the love he knew that Amalia had for him and knowing that Amalia didn’t know that she loved him. Ole Dack who was able to show the turmoil that his character was feeling trying to come to grips with that fact that he was deeply in love and that another also loved him in the same way, but he knew that she didn’t know that she loved him performed the song. Another reason for why the singing of the play was great is because of the harmony that the actors were able to achieve in the songs that they all sung together. For example, in the song “Good morning, Good Day” which was the opening song of the play showed off the cumulative talent and singing ability of all the actors as they all sang together. They all sang in tune, the timing was perfect, and all their voices fit so well together. Overall because of the surprise of quality of the singing, the amount of emotion that the actors were able to put into it, and the actors ability to harmonize perfectly together made the songs where they all sang together much more impactful. However, the play was not 100% sung, in order for it to be a successful play the acting had to be just as good as the singing, and Duluth School Of Fine Arts was able to succeed in that as well. The acting of the play was of equal quality of the acting of professional grade theaters for a few reasons, such as how clear they presented their lines, the palpable emotion in the lines, and the professionalism of never messing up a line.
In conclusion, the play She Loves Me was a fantastic play. The singing was fantastic because all the actors had great tone, pitch, and volume, you were able to feel the emotion behind both the singing and acting, the actors were able to achieve such great harmony when singing together, and there were no dialogue mistakes that I could see.
On the night of December 2nd, 2016, two young human beings professed their love for one another in She Loves Me, a musical directed by Michael Brindisi. Initially taking place at a perfume shop in 1930’s Hungary, audiences had the privilege of witnessing a relationship build itself upon the denial of two stubborn individuals. Even though the musical comedy reached success, the performance may not have been as convincing as it was without realistic scenery.
ReplyDeleteScenic designer Jenna Mady performed at the best of her abilities in producing a lifelike perfume shop. Though modeled after a perfume shop in the 1930’s, all shops of this type contain inherited characteristics. Present day perfume shops contain squeaky clean environments, brightly illuminated settings, and formal workstations for all employees. Similarly, the onstage scenery formed a spotless environment, contained well-lit areas, and provided tall lined up workstations for several characters. The workstations contained visible coats of white paint; thus, acting as intense reflective surfaces for different shades of light. The end-result was a bright environment that ensured the customers they were not being mislead into buying phony products. Together, all of the elements within Mady’s scene design formed a unique psychological trap for the storylines customers. A trap reinforced with yellow interior-walls, pink exterior-walls, a pair of doors for the entrance and exit, and a beautiful outdoor sign advertising Mr. Maraczek’s perfume shop. Evidently, the scenery cannot be the only element within a theater production. A production must contain life in order to strive for success.
Rebekah Meyer, as Amalia Balash, and Ole Dack, as Georg Nowack, came together to form the featured lovebirds of She Loves Me. With Meyer and Dack portraying two of the most prominent figures, decent acting techniques were expected from both of them; after comparing their relationship to most individuals in the pre-dating phase, their acting job was considered well-suited for the musical. Much of Meyer and Dack’s actions towards one another revolved around amateur behavior. Such behaviors involved portraying dominance towards one another, childlike put downs, and evil glares. At one point the premature couple was arguing over the indecency of asking too many questions. Right when the peak of the fight was reached, Amalia started screaming. All in all, much of the couple’s actions were not far off from the behavior of school children, a characteristic that made up many aspects of the production’s humor. The most impressive part of Meyer and Dack’s performance was their ability to convince the audience in an exponential way. Love may be ugly at times, but when a connection is made, the feelings only continue to grow; making it a challenging phenomenon to mimic. Near the end of She Loves Me, Meyer and Dack were able to produce such an act through their friendly gazes and polite manners towards one another; ultimately leading to an intimate relationship. Though acting skills aided in entertaining the audience, Amalia Balash and Georg Nowack were favored too much.
The beginning of She Loves Me was interesting and hilarious, but once the future couple first interacted with one another, it was only about them. It was near the musical’s midpoint when Amalia and Georg started writing letters to their anonymous individuals. After much foreshadowing on the status of Amalia and Georg, unknown plot twists had no chance of making an impact. The main surprise in the storyline was the attempted suicide of perfume shop owner Mr. Malaczek. However, with the storyline being heavily pinpointed on the dynamics between Amalia and Georg, the attempted suicide had no effect. So perhaps script revisions should be taken into consideration.
The production She Loves Me was a fun and entertaining show. Even though the overall idea of love between two characters was exhausted, it was the perfect storyline for families to come and see. The storyline was simple, funny, and provided insight on the reality of love.
She Loves Me
ReplyDeleteKevin Hendrickson
One of the most under appreciated musicals in the American theatre, the UMD theater department production of Joe Masteroff’s, She Loves Me, is a truly classic American rom-com centered around the lives of two unassuming people who fall in love through love letters they write to each other, all while despising each other in person. This very light-hearted, uplifting romantic comedic presented by the UMD Department of Theatre, and under the esteemed direction of one Michael Brindisi of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, was a truly enticing production that included stellar vocals, acting, and costume design. The mesmerizing musicality was a strong attention grabber from beginning to end. This production really knows how to make the audience fall in love, and then fall in love all over again.
UMD actress Rebekah Meyer as Amalia Balash has one of those crystal clear, perfect soprano voices that very much fir the bill for a truly stellar musical theater performance. Her renditions of “Dear Friend,” “Vanilla Ice Cream” and “Will He Like Me?” are the show’s biggest standout pieces because of her crisp, clear, and flawless interpretation of the music’s melody, articulation of vocals, and astute attention to harmony, along with her astonishing ability to belt out high notes that most female vocalist probably don’t even think of in their dizziest daydreams. Mr. Brindisi could not have chosen a better young lady to fit the female lead role.
Another aspect of musicality that too the stage by storm was the nine-piece stage orchestra directed by Mr. Patrick Colvin, a local pianist. This small group of mixed instrumentalists was more than prepared to take on the demanding numbers this production entailed. From the mysteriously enticing violin solo played by Rebecca Farmer, the dramatic percussion playing done my Jonathan Sickerdick, and to the dynamic father-daughter duo of Joe and Emily Kasperik with their very well played soloist performances, these proud few pounded the stage with a strong musical performance that impacted the audience member’s ears from behind the scenes.
The scene design done my UMD Theatre major Jenna Mady coupled with the lighting design done by UMD Theatre major Wesley Dalton created the perfect dynamic duo of the drama stage dominated the visual aesthetic of this classic romantic comedy in a way that presented the perfect atmosphere for a humorous date night or a good old-fashioned couple’s night on of live entertainment. The spotlight work done by Dalton was spot on in highlighting specific musical numbers such as “Will He Like Me?”, “Tonight at Eight” and “I Resolve”, but was also well done in it’s overall role in this production. Dalton managed to pull off the perfect lighting design for a perfectly light-hearted romantic musical. Mady did a flawless job capturing the simple romantic essence of this work in her flexible set design that could easily be transitioned from sidewalk storefront, parfumerie lobby, to even a romantic café with ease.
As whole, this UMD Theatre production was a smash hit. She Loves Me was a hilariously adorable musical filled with light-hearted romanticism, amazing vocal and instrumental musical performance, and a high level of dramatic showmanship that only enhances the reputation of the UMD Department of Theatre high than any in the area.
She Loves Me is a romantic comedy set in the 1930’s. It revolves around the developing relationship between Amelia Balash and George Nowack. The two fall in love via letter correspondences, but when they unknowingly meet each other in real life the two despise one another. UMD’s theatre department invited Michael Brindisi, artistic director and co-owner of Chanhassen Dinner Theatre, to come and direct the play. His experience paired with the wonderful orchestra conducted by Patrick Colvin and an energetic and fun cast created a wonderful production and made for a fun night.
ReplyDeleteBrindisi’s skill as a director is very evident in this production, and his casting choice is one such example of this. Each actor seemed well matched and convincing in their roles. Looking at some of the main cast, Rebekah Meyer and Ole Dack, who played Amelia Balash and George Nowack respectively, did an amazing job in their roles. Each an excellent of capturing their characters as well as the budding and often hectic romance between the two. Looking at Meyer especially, she did amazing in her singing roles and seemed very well matched to her character. Another gem brought out in the play was Brian Saice, who portrayed Arpad Laszlo. Arpad, a delivery bod turned sales clerk, provided an oft needed bit of comedic relief to some of the more serious portions of the play. Saice took this characterization in stride, and clearly became a crowd favorite in his role.
The set, designed by Jenna Mady, was also another highlight. The set itself was multifunction, allowing both inside and outside of the perfumery to be covered at once. The design was also very precise and well done, complementing the feel of the play very well. Patricia Dennis and her skill with both costuming and makeup really brought the scenes to life, and did an excellent job of capturing the 1930’s style.
All in all, the play was very light-hearted and fun. The skill and dedication of everyone involved made for an entertaining and lively evening. This lighthearted and romantic piece was skillfully done and makes and excellent send off into the holiday season.
"She Loves Me" might not move you as deeply as a tragedy, but move you it will, with an instantly affecting blend of charm, wit, musicality, and just the right amount of artifice to put its emotional authenticity in high relief. The UMD Theatre production, directed by Michael Brindisi, has the sort of striking design you might expect on Broadway. It is special in every way, a near-flawless realization of one of the most delightful musicals of the 20th century.
ReplyDeleteStill, what you both see and get here is a set of warm, openhearted performances. Ole Dack plays up Georg's edgy irritability while still making him the shy guy we root for.
Rebekah Meyer is bright and lovely as Amalia, nervous and sensitive yet entirely sympathetic.
There's a contrasting chemistry between Emily Sue Bengston as a good-hearted but gullible sexpot (and dig the subtly flattering costumes they get from designer Patricia Dennis) and Luke Harger as a slick but shallow ladies' man. One doesn't have to strain to see the two of them as a pair of wallflowers who make each other blossom. Bengston is no less believable as Ilona, the shopworn office vamp, and even the smallest parts are imaginatively, even luxuriously cast. In each of these star performances, magic is created onstage.
Moving on up, Zach Churchill plays the delivery boy in Maraczek’s Parfumerie. He has the presence and talent to make his every appearance count, and when his musical moment arrives with “Try Me” in Act II, he takes the stage with it.
Simon VanVactor-Lee returns as the older clerk at the parfumerie. His contribution is enormous, for he can sing, dance and act with assurance, comic timing that’s impeccable, and a most amiable personality to project them out front to a very happy audience.
Not all musicals gain from being produced on a small scale, but "She Loves Me" was made to be done in so intimate a setting. The Marshall Performing Arts Center gets the job done. There are several songs, in fact, that don't advance the plot at all, yet come to seem as essential as they are fun, because of the work they do expanding and supporting that theme.
But when embodied by a cast as expertly attuned as this one, it has a lingering and deeply satisfying sweetness usually lacking in brassier shows. It is also remarkably free of the shadows and subtexts that contemporary directors, keep uncovering in their reconceptions of vintage musicals. The cheerful seamlessness of “She Loves Me” defies deconstruction.
The University of Minnesota School of Fine Arts has done it again! The theatre put on a great show called She Loves Me directed by Michael Brinidisi. There was a live orchestra, it was very funny and “cute” in a sense. It was a very touching love story despite it being a romantic comedy.
ReplyDeleteThe orchestra did a fantastic job and so was the music all around. From the singing of the cast to the chorus that really brought it all together. The orchestra played very familiar music that you could almost recognize anywhere which was very nice to hear. It was all very catchy and you caught yourself tapping to the beat. You will very much love all the classical tunes during the play.
The acting skills of the cast were amazing! They are a very talented group of people. The lead characters Georg Nowack and Amaelia Balash did an outstanding job. Their uniqueness was very refreshing and it just made you feel good and mushy inside. I think the funniest character would have had to been the waiter, Erica VonBank, because everything she said and did just made you crack up. Like I said before the cast was very gifted and everyone did a remarkable job.
The choreography was fantastic too! All the ballroom dancing was very classic and a nice touch to the musical. It was choreographed by Rea Harwood. She did a great job and deserves a big round of applause. Every scene that had dancing going on looked flawless and just matched the music so perfectly it all just went together.
In conclusion, She Loves Me was a very cute and funny production put on by the University of Minnesota Duluth theatre. It was very professionally done and I had no negatives to say about it! It is a great show to bring a date to, looking for a good laugh or even a good time. I encourage anyone and everyone to go and check it out before it is too late and you miss a great show!