Review: 'She Loves Me' at The Arts at Angeloria's

Southington, CT - SHE LOVES ME is a warm romantic comedy musical with an endearing innocence and a touch of old world elegance. In this case of mistaken identity and letter writing, two feuding perfume clerks in a 1930s European perfumery have no idea that they are in love. The charmingly unique venue of The Arts at Angeloria is proudly presenting a wonderful production in their indoor blackbox theatre.

Featuring music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick (yes of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF fame) and book by Joe Masteroff (CABARET), SHE LOVES ME was nominated for five Tony Awards in 1964 and was revived on Broadway in 1993. The musical is based upon the play PARFUMERIE written by Miklos Laszlo.

Join Amalia and Georg to discover the identity of their true loves... and of all the twists and turns along the way!

Considered by many, including this reviewer, to be the most charming musical ever written, this heartwarming piece is an ideal Christmas show for this Victorian setting in Southington. Lori Holm, the delightful “Angeloria” who is the owner and artistic director of the unique venue, directed and produced this production with a touch of Art Nouveau and plenty of heart. I was invited to attend a final dress rehearsal of the show, and despite the fact that the weather had caused a shortened rehearsal process, this cast is more than ready to begin their performances on Friday, Dec. 6 and run weekends through Dec. 15. Definitely try to secure one of the tickets to the remaining performances in this intimate venue; if you have never visited this impressive Victorian setting (and even if you have,) you don’t want to miss this chance to see it decorated for Christmas. Trust me that it is beautiful both inside and out.

Hopefully, this creation, lovingly crafted by the storytellers, music director, accompanist, costumer, technical director, and stage manager will help you remember to take time this holiday season for that which truly matters. - In gratitude, Angeloria

Ed Rosenblatt was the able music director and taught himself to play violin for this show. Bill D’Andrea performed the challenging accompaniment on a piano stage left festively dressed in a red velvet top hat and the singers kept up with the tough musical timing and tight harmonies. Chris Zajaz was in usual spot running the board as the technical director and lighting and sound worked wonderfully for the space. One patron remarked that she was pleased that the volume did not overwhelm the audience in this very intimate space and she was seated closer to the stage than I was.

Choreography and the set were designed by Ms. Holm; the period set was delightfully authentic to the tiniest detail and pink, green and white Art Nouveau style. Stacy Lupo was the organized stage manager and Renee Andrzejczuk is the always helpful house mistress. The cast members performed all of the scene changes in the black box between scenes and actually during one scene behind a movable black curtain. Everything about the “look” of the two acts was very impressive.

The costumes at A@A are always top-notch and these were certainly up to the usual standard. Kim Turret served as costume mistress and I got to meet the young Alanna Hart, who was her costume assistant intern. Kudos to both ladies on fabulous costume ensembles complete with hats of the era, my favorite outfit being the jade green dress worn by one of the ensemble members.

The cast of 13 were perfect for their roles and all of them had a lot to do to make the action come together as well as it did. Sara Fabrizio (CITY OF ANGELS) of Plainville returned to this venue to fully embody the role of Amalia Balash, the spitfire employee at Maraczek's Parfumerie who has been exchanging letters with a man she has never met. And what a magnificent soprarno voice she displayed for her solo “Will He Love Me?”

Georg Nowack, the long-time employee of Maraczek's Parfumerie who is a shy but hopeful romantic, is played with charm by Charles Clark of Vernon. The actor, who is a senior theatre major at CCSU, makes his A@A debut in this role.

The very talented Amelia Nemeth (an Angel City 4 member in CITY OF ANGELS) portrays Ilona Ritter, a clerk in the Parfumerie engrossed in the game of love. Ms. Nemeth, a Berlin resident, was the perfect choice for this important supporting role and it was a joy to take “A Trip to the Library” with her. Steven Kodaly. a dashing employee who is a shallow womanizer, was played with dash and a wonderful vintage walking stick by Taylor McGloin in his A@A debut.

Arpad Laszlo, the delivery boy at Maraczek's Parfumerie looking for a promotion from his boss in “Try Me,” was brought to life by Max Blumenstock of Wallingford, a freshman at Lyman Hall HS who studies theatre at the Educational Center for the Arts. Tony Lamberto of Southington shines as Georg’s loveable confidant named Ladislav Sipos; his performance made for a great debut at this theatre.

Mr. Maraczek, the Parfumerie’s dedicated owner, is portrayed by the one and only Steve Sorriero THE FANTASTICKS and CITY OF ANGELS) of Waterbury and the script even made mention of his signature mustache. Ed Rosenblatt (CROOKED HOUSE, CITY OF ANGELS) of Southington donned a trench coat once again to make a great cameo appearance as Keller, the investigator, as well as an accordian-playing gypsy and a French violinist.

Nicole Zolad of Rocky Hill, in her A@A debut, stepped out of that fabulous jade dress to portray The Restaurateur in a perfectly fitted pair of black pants. This commanding woman struggles to maintain the perfect atmosphere at the Cafe Imperiale.

Ensemble member Kate Kovacs Luurtsema of Torrington played both a nurse and a frequent shopper at the perfume store and Elyse Lachapelle of Wolcott, who made her directorial debut with CLEAN HOUSE at A@A, and Tara Blumenstock of Wallingford (in her first time on this stage) play the roles of customers throughout the show in authentic costumes.

“She Loves Me” will run December 6-15, 2019 at the Arts at Angeloria’s LLC located at 223 Meriden Waterbury Turnpike in Southington, just off the 691 exit. There are ample parking spaces that are well-lit.

DON’T MISS “SHE LOVES ME”! It’s the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. Tickets are nearly sold out for two of the performances already, so Visit theartsatangelorias.com for your tickets today.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theatre Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.

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