A new production of "She Loves Me," a musical that first opened on Broadway in 1963, made its debut Thursday night, courtesy of the Roundabout Theatre Company. NY1’s Roma Torre filed the following review.
Two musicals from the 60's with scores by the great Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick are revived in stellar fashion this season.
The more famous of the two is "Fiddler on the Roof.” But equally satisfying is "She Loves Me," which is about as consummate as a musical can be. And with Joe Masteroff's masterful book, you are guaranteed to fall in love with this most charming of musical gems.
This is the Roundabout's second revival of the show. Scott Ellis directed the 1993 production and he is at the helm again staging the intimate work with romantic fluency and comic nuance. Of course, it helps to have a cast the likes of this bravura company.
And if the central plot based on a 1936 Hungarian play seems clichéd by now, do not be put off. The story, set in Maraczek's Parfumerie, sheds any scent of mothballs. The focus – on a pair of feuding workers unaware that their anonymous lonely hearts letters are addressed to each other – inspired the Tom Hanks film “You've Got Mail” and the 1940 movie "The Shop Around The Corner,” starring Jimmy Stewart.
Perhaps it is no coincidence then that Zachary Levi in the lead role as Georg captures Stewart's infectiously giddy charms. Even his physicality brings to mind the lanky star in a thoroughly winning performance.
Jane Krakowski, as the flirty Ilona, and Gavin Creel, as her cad of a boyfriend Kodaly, are equally sublime. Supporting players Byron Jennings, Michael McGrath and the wide-mouthed Peter Bartlett do that thing they do so well. And Laura Benanti as Amalia is stunning in every way. And she looks terrific too! Her vocal chops matched by her skills as a seasoned comedienne put us in her thrall.
Maraczek's may only sell perfumes and fancy creams, but there is a magical alchemy that is taking place on that stage and it is aimed right at our not-so-lonely hearts.