Opera House Players, Broadbrook, CT
through September 27, 2015
by Michael J. Moran
Composer Jerry Bock and lyricist Sheldon Harnick are best
known for their monster hit “Fiddler on the Roof,” which this company presented
last season. But its more modest sibling, “She Loves Me,” has long been
respected, in the words of this production’s resourceful director, Meghan Lynn
Allen, as a “crown jewel of the golden age of musicals.” And “Good Morning,
Good Day” is among the greatest of all opening numbers.
Based on a 1937 play by Miklos Laszlo, the story also
inspired several films, including "The Shop on Main Street" and "You’ve Got Mail".
The plot focuses on a romance between two pen pals, Amalia and Georg, who’ve
never met but later find themselves as fellow clerks in a pre-World War II
Budapest perfumery who are often at odds with each other. Other employees
provide not only comic relief but contrasting dramas of their own.
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| J. McCann & M.G. Morales |
Bock’s lush score often evokes the Hungarian sound world of
Franz Lehar’s operettas, while Harnick’s clever lyrics recall the patter of
Gilbert and Sullivan. The cast of 20 singing actors is consistently engaged and
compelling. Michael Graham Morales brings a wide emotional palette and a fine
singing voice to Georg. Few scenes are more stirring than his exuberant
rendition of the title song. The versatile Brad Shepard is avuncular and
poignant as Mr. Maraczek, the shop manager.
The standout vocalist is Jennifer McCann, who perfectly
captures the neurotic charm of Amalia. Her touching “Dear Friend” and winsome
“Vanilla Ice Cream” echo the gorgeous lyric soprano of Barbara Cook, who
originated the role on Broadway in 1963, and her comic acting chops make “No
More Candy” a highlight of the evening. In smaller roles, Martina Haskins is a
hoot as the lovelorn Ilona, Thom Knightlee haughty as the caddish Kodaly, and
Joshua Prouser endearing as the ambitious Arpad.
Greg Trochlil’s set design is elegant and simple. Karen Anne
McMahon’s choreography is imaginative, particularly in a delightful “Twelve
Days to Christmas.” And musical director Steven Cirillo leads a well-drilled and
impressively larger-sounding band of four.
This lovely production will appeal to musical theatre
audiences of all ages.
