From left, Rachael Fine, Alicia Braxton, and Lori
And you thought your Christmases were hectic! Guurrrll….you hadn’t seen nuthin’ yet ‘til you see the dancers and singers whizzing through the 12 days of Christmas at light speed like they do in She Loves Me, a delightful musical comedy now on stage at Little Theatre of Alexandria.
It’s one of the funniest scenes in the show with a big cast of 17, and all of them, royal entertainers.
At Maraczek's Parfumerie, the clerks are constantly on the prowl for needy customers who fill the store before Santa arrives, with the pace accelerating as the reindeer draw closer and it's a frenetic chase to find the finest gifts.
The whole play is lots of fun and entertainment. It's a predictable script: boy meets girl; they grimace, they hiss; they howl...whoa! They are meeting whom for dinner?
Which takes place in my second favorite scene, at the restaurant with black sexy tablecloths and red curtains where the waiter (Evan Arellano) goes down on the floor for the count, while the headwaiter (Stephen Yednock) sings the humorous A Romantic Atmosphere, delighting the ears of the audience, his voice, one of the best and strongest in the show.
Shelby Young is the jilted Amalia waiting at a table meant for two since her “blind” date never shows (to the best of her knowledge). (Young performs at LTA via the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall, no less. You'll hear why.)
The setting is a 1934 shop in Budapest, that city chosen because She Loves Me is based on a 1937 play by Hungarian playwright, Miklós László which was adapted for the 1949 musical In the Good Old Summertime and later, the 1998 movie You’ve Got Mail. (Also, Rupert Holmes's early 1980s song, Escape! The Pina Colada Song may have found its roots in Hungary, too.)
Phil Krzywicki is the realistic Mr. Maraczek, the owner of the Parfumerie and the typical retail boss trying to squeeze every last dollar from his customers who come in single file to shop.
The story centers on George (Anthony Galace), a natural in his role as the assistant store manager and later, a paper starstruck lover, who doesn't particularly cotton to Amalia as her career in the shop launches.
It's through a lonely-hearts club that their true matches turn up.
Mr. Maraczek and Georg have disagreements but none as bad as the false rumor flying that a clerk, Steven Kodaly (Brandon Schenk), is sleeping with the boss's wife! Hold on for an (almost) tragedy.
Handsome Steven is also a not-so-good boyfriend of the cutest, peppiest clerk there could ever be, Ilona (Maura Lacy) whom Steven strings along, but Ilona has good luck at the library and delivers one of the greatest hits of the night with the strange and you’ve got-to-be-kidding title, A Trip to the Library. (Folks, it really is good.)
Meanwhile, everybody should have a helpmate like Michael McGovern who as Ladislav (emphasis on the last syllable) helps Georg sort through conflicts and make everyone feel good, like the frisky Arpad (Mylo Cluff) who pops up often to make things right.
The ensemble includes Dale Dwyer, Lori Bonnette, Alicia Braxton, Rachael Fine (dance captain), Gavin Hubbard, Jordan Lohmeyer, Jennifer Thomas, and Brett Womack.
Mitchell Aiello directed and choreographed the show with music direction by Isabel Hernandez-Cata. Eleanore Tapscott produced, assisted by Cassie Cope.
Julie Fischer has designed two stunning levels of colorful parfumeries and cosmetics. (Where did Brooke Angel Markley and Jennifer Rubio find all those bottles?) Ari McSherry's shadow lighting accentuates the presentation.
Fashionistas will admire the many stylish period costumes by Juliana Cofrancesco and Farrel Hartigan and those hats! Love 'em!
And for seasons changing? A dropping of leaves and snow will suffice, if you please.
Matthew Brown plays the piano and conducts the hidden orchestra of 11 members who bring welcome live music to the theatre.
Monique Mormon and Alais Reiter are stage managers. Alan Wray, sound director; Diana Almeida, hair and makeup
The preview of Christmas coming will ease minds that ours are not exactly like theirs...or are they?
Harold Prince directed the original Broadway show She Loves Me in 1963, and 1993 and 2016 revivals produced a total of 22 Tony Award nominations!
What: She Loves Me by Joe Masteroff, Jerry Bock, and Sheldon Harnick
When: Now through Nov. 7, 2026 on Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m. Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
Where: Little Theatre of Alexandria, 600 Wolfe St., Alexandria, VA 22314
How much: $36 + $4 service fee.
Parking: On the street and at the nearby Capitol One Bank.
Audience: Themes are best suited for younger teens on up.
Language: Rated "G."
For more information: Box Office: 703-683-0496; Main Office, 703-683-5778 or boxoffice@thelittletheatre.com.
patricialesli@gmail.com
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