“She Loves Me”

[rating=3]It is always nice to find yet another “storefront” in Chicago ( even though Jane finds them a little uncomfortable) and the venue located at 1106 West Thorndale, known as the Reginald Vaughn Theatre is truly what one might expect from a storefront. It is indeed a store. However, it has been converted to a theater and several companies call this their home. Tonight, we saw “She Loves Me” presented by the Blank Theatre Company. This musical with a book by Joe Masteroff and music by Jerry Bock with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick is based on a play by Miklos Laszlo ( “The Shop Around The Corner” telling a story about two people, who wrote to each other and fell in love, but did not know who they were. As it turns out, they work together and are at odds all the time, but as many musicals do, they end up happy. For the modern version, think “You’ve Got Mail” and you will get the idea.

This production, directed by Danny Kapinos takes us on an interesting trip. The theater is tiny, and so in order to bring us a musical, they have eliminated a set! The seating is on three sides with a square stage area and on the back wall a set picture with some curtains that can be open or closed, but to be honest, none of this has any importance to the story or the production. The actors start the show with the opening number “Good Morning, Good Day” on chairs, benches and stools all over the stage area. Instead of just some of the principals, the entire cast of 11 actors take part, including the shop owner Zolton Maraczek (Mike Weaver). I have played this role in my past years and he doesn’t enter until much farther into the script. I guess this was a clever way of getting the opening number into the play without an actual “shop” and props.

Again, the story is about the workers in the shop, the manager, Georg (Austin Winter is charming but his vocal range cannot hit some of the notes- perhaps an octave lower would help) and his desire to meet the love of his life. He has  placed an ad in the periodical that was answered by a young lady with whom he has become smitten . The workers in the shop, a perfumerie, are Ilona Ritter ( charmingly played by Rachel Guth who is adorable and when she does her  “A Trip To The Library” you will fall in love with her), Steven Kodaly ( Korey White, the ladies man who has no scruples), Ladislav Sipos ( the charming and funny Aaron Mann) and last but not least, the adorable Arpad ( played by the adorable Bryce Ancil) the delivery boy.

Despite not needing any additional help, in walks Amalia Balash ( played to perfection by Brandy Miller) who shows her natural talent as a sales clerk and is hired ON-THE-SPOT, despite Georg protesting. Thus starts the hate hate relationship. It turns out that she is the young lady who answered his ad and they are soon to meet in person, for the first time. This is the gist of the story. How the love hate relationship is converted into a love love at the end of the show.

The ensemble is composed of Gabrielle Beider, Laura Deltis, Karylin Veres and Jona Cochin. They are customers, diners and Mr. Cochin a sterling Head Waiter in  “A Romantic Atmosphere”. As I said earlier, the set is nothing to speak of, but somehow, Kapinos pulled off working with limited furniture and the limited choreography by Tori James was effective. Cindy Moon’s costumes were terrific and the lighting by Benjamin Carne, effective. The musical Director is Aaron Kaplan and the two keyboards were handled by Sachio Nang and Anna Wegener. Despite being a small space, there were times that the sound was rough. Not when singing, but because they played three different sections of audience, they had their backs to some areas during some scenes, and they are not miked, thus they need to make sure they speak to the “back row”.

“She Loves Me” is a delightful little show that runs for 2 hours and thirty minutes ( including the 15 minute intermission) The run will continue thru May 1.

Performances are:

Thursdays 7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  7:30 p.m.

Sundays 3 p.m.

MONDAY, APRIL 11th special show7:30 p.m.

Tickets run$10- $30 and are available at  www.blanktheatrecomapny.org

Parking on the street is metered and residential parking spaces are available ( sometimes). Taking the “red line” is probably the easiest as the Thorndale Station is 40 years from the theater door.

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “She Loves Me”.