Musical comedy 'She Loves Me' runs through Dec. 3
Nov. 28, 2000
KALAMAZOO -- WMU's University Theatre presents the endearing musical comedy "She Loves Me" Thursday, Nov. 30 through Sunday, Dec. 3. The musical will be produced in the style of a 1940s radio show in the Multiform Theatre of the Gilmore Theatre Complex.
Evening shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday begin at 8 p.m.. There is also a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Sunday, Dec. 3.
Ticket prices are $14 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $5 for students. To purchase tickets, call the Gilmore Theatre Ticket Office at 616 387-6222 weekdays from noon to 5 p.m. The ticket office is also open two hours before the performances. Tickets may also be purchased at the Epic Center ticket office on the Kalamazoo Mall.
Because the musical has such a nostalgic atmosphere, director Todd Neal decided to stage this production as a 1940s radio show.
"It adds to the quaintness of the show," comments Neal. "Presenting it in a radio show format will allow the audience to focus more on the music. It simplifies things, allowing the music to be heard with ease."
Period costumes and props will add to the nostalgic feeling, and vintage recording studio items such as "On Air" signs will be used to give the production an authentic atmosphere. The audience will sit in chairs placed in front of the stage to add to the intimacy of the show.
"She Loves Me" is based on a book by Czech author Miklos Laszlo and follows the love story of two fueding clerks in a European parfumerie during the 1930s. Georg and Amalia despise each other at work; little do they know they have been carrying on an anonymous pen-pal relationship for some time.
"It's an age-old story," says Shauna Thieman, director of arts management in the Department of Theatre. "Love always seems to come from the most unlikely places."
Laszlo's book was also the basis for the recent blockbuster movie "You've Got Mail" and the classic Jimmy Stewart film "The Little Shop Around the Corner."
The student cast features seniors Jamie Earls, Betsy Blake, and Esther Triggs; juniors Jonathen Rincon and Eric Zang; sophomore Mathew Leland, and freshmen Michael Van Gemert, Brian Wilson, Graham Kurtz, Rachanee Keovorabouth, Heather Beck, Dan Spagnuolo, and Anna Bonde. All of the performers are majors in the Music Theatre Performance program, under Neal's direction. The student production team includes Tricia Nichols and Tom Cavanar (systems assistants), Allison Hendrix (accompanist), Tara Matkosky (assistant director), Katy Jacobs (dramaturg), and Jeff Potter (stage manager).
Media contact: Shauna Thieman; 616 387-6222; shauna.thieman@wmich.edu