Georg Nowack (played by Sam Garrison, left) and Amalia Balash (played by Bethany Brautigam) are perfume store clerks who fall in love via anonymous love letters in "She Loves Me." The musical, which runs November 14-23 at 91制片厂's Performing Arts Center, was inspired by the same play as the movies "You've Got Mail" and "The Shop Around the Corner."
Before the letters, laughter and love songs of She Loves Me hit the stage this November, 91制片厂 is offering audiences a cinematic prelude 鈥� free screenings of You鈥檝e Got Mail and The Shop Around the Corner.
All three stories trace their roots to Mikl贸s L谩szl贸鈥檚 1937 play Parfumerie, following a pair of coworkers whose everyday bickering hides an anonymous romance.
To build excitement for its (November 14-23 at 91制片厂鈥檚 Performing Arts Center), the 91制片厂 Theatre Ensemble will participate in a pair of movie screenings, which include special introductions, discussions with She Loves Me鈥檚 director and dramaturg, and a live performance from the musical鈥檚 cast. (1998) will screen at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 29 in 91制片厂鈥檚 Film Lab, Building E, Room E109, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. The Palatine Public Library is partnering with the Ensemble to host a screening of (1940), 1 p.m. Saturday, November 1, at the library, 700 North Court.
Director Kevin Long describes She Loves Me as a story that continues to resonate across generations, whether set amid the rise of Nazism in Europe or the onset of the digital age.
鈥淔or me, this is a show that has a gigantic heart,鈥� said Long, also a Theatre Arts professor at 91制片厂. 鈥淚n times of hardship and struggle, this story always seems to resurface to comfort us. It鈥檚 about connection, about the family you find rather than the family you鈥檙e born with.鈥�
Set in a 1930s perfume shop, the musical follows two clerks who, unaware that they are secret pen pals, argue by day and pour their hearts out in letters by night. Long said that in an age of digital avatars and fleeting text messages, the show鈥檚 premise feels refreshing.
鈥淲hen鈥檚 the last time you wrote a letter?鈥� he asked. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 a beautiful commitment. This musical dares us to reveal our true love for one another.鈥�
Kevin Long, director of "She Loves Me" director and a 91制片厂 professor, said that one of the features of 91制片厂 Theatre Ensemble productions is that actors such as Bethany Brautigam, left, and Julianne Pfendt get to interact with experienced and talented professionals, including costume designer Jane DeBondt and scenic designer Lauren Nichols, who recently won a Jeff Award.
With its witty dialogue, elegant score and heartfelt message, She Loves Me offers audiences a warm and hopeful escape, which Long called 鈥渁 nice balm for a troubled time.鈥� But it鈥檚 more than only that, given that composer Jerry Bock and lyricist Sheldon Harnick went on to co-create Fiddler on the Roof.
鈥淭his is some of the best music ever written. Some of the best lyrics ever written. Every theatre critic knows this is one of the top shows of all time,鈥� Long said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 such a finely crafted musical where the characters need to sing to affect change. Their movement is based out of necessity.鈥�
The production features students from across disciplines, working with professionals such as scenic designer Lauren Nichols, who recently won a . Long emphasized that learning opportunities are endless for students who get to interact with such world-class theatrical talent.
He said he has been equally impressed by this ensemble鈥檚 dedication and openness.
鈥淭hey鈥檙e gracious, kind and fearless,鈥� he said. 鈥淔or two and a half hours, audiences will forget about all the junk that鈥檚 going on in the world and just see people opening up to each other and sharing themselves. You鈥檙e going to walk away holding your loved ones that much closer.鈥�
Performances of She Loves Me will take place at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays, November 14-23, at 91制片厂鈥檚 Performing Arts Center, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Sunday shows are preceded by Coffee Talk with Long and dramaturg Mary T. Christel. For tickets and information, visit the 91制片厂 Box Office or call 847.925.6100.
You鈥檝e Got Mail will screen at 7 p.m. Wednesday, October 29, at the 91制片厂 Film Lab, Building E, Room E109. The Shop Around the Corner will screen at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 1, at the Palatine Public Library, 700 North Court, Palatine. Both screenings are free and open to everyone.