PULLMAN, Wash. — The musical “She Loves Me” is set to open next week on the Washington State University campus. The performance will be held July 19, 20, 26 and 27 in Bryan Hall Theatre. Each show begins at 8 p.m.
WSU Opera Workshop students are cast members in the musical, which is a School of Music and Theatre Arts production. It is directed by Julie Anne Wieck, WSU music faculty member and workshop director.
Tickets, all for general seating, will be sold at the door at $8 for adults and $4 for students and senior citizens.
Set in the 1930s, the musical’s story is about seven workers in a European parfumerie. Two of them, Georg and Amalia, are closet romantics. They bicker incessantly, while unknowingly carrying on a passionate correspondence as penpals. The characters discover the values of love and life, secret and truth, youth and age. “This charming story, told with humor and wonderful music, is a treat for all ages,” Wieck said.
Wieck produced the musical because the university’s Summer Palace is not being held this summer. She directs its music preparation and staging. Lauren Quock is rehearsal accompanist. A small orchestra, assembled by Keating Johnson, WSU music faculty member, will play during the performances. The set is designed and built by George Caldwell, WSU theatre faculty member.
Student performers, chosen by audition, include Quinn Roberts, Mary Beth Brewer, Tony Rosetti, Marlene Berner, Zac Van Brunt, Mark Hansen and Chris Wang. Ensemble members include Jessica Abbott, Kate DeFrancesco, Kathrine Jansen, Teresa Jansen, Stephanie Thomas, Heather Raco, Heather Zosel, James Payne and Craig Beebe.
“She Loves Me” originally opened on Broadway in 1963 to rave reviews. It was revived in 1993. It is based on Miklos Laszlo’s play and was also the basis for the movie musical “In the Good Old Summertime,” starring Van Johnson and Judy Garland, and the movie, “You’ve Got Mail,” starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. The musical is a collaboration by the team of Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock. They wrote “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Tenderloin,” “Fiorello” and “The Apple Tree.”
