By Sarah Emmerling
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – “She Loves Me,” the third show of the 2017-2018 NU Theatre season, runs Nov. 30 through Dec. 10. This 1963 Broadway hit is sure to please all musical theatre enthusiasts. The production has a total of ten performances and one post-show discussion for audience members who want to meet the cast and crew.
The show takes place in a Budapest parfumerie in the 1930s. Employees Georg Nowack and Amalia Balash frequently argue with each other, unaware that they are actually each other’s secret
pen pals. They exchange romantic letters back and forth, and call each other “dear friend.”
Doug Zschiegner, an acting and directing professor at Niagara, directed the production. Rehearsals began in the middle of October and took place six nights a week for four hours. Terri Filips Vaughan, who directed last year’s Gala show, served as the production’s choreog- rapher.
David Wysocki, a senior theatre performance major, plays Georg Nowack.
“Doug is very collaborative and engaging with his ideas and his vision of the story,” he stated. “I worked with him in The Drowsy Chaperone during my sophomore year, and I’m very glad I was given the opportunity to do a show with him again. Terri has also provided some great dances that have really enhanced the show.”
“She Loves Me” also features the musical direction of Bridget Moriarty. Moriarty is new to the NU Theatre Department this year as a full-time voice instructor.
“Bridget is a wonderful addition to this production,” Wysocki com- mented. “She is so grounded and down-to-earth, but keeps us on our feet and makes sure we’re always focusing on what we’re singing and what it actually means to our characters.”
The characters in the show often hide their true feelings, which is something Wysocki finds applicable to today.
“In a time when we consistently hide from other people and mainly communicate through the use of cellphones and text messages, this show is about learning not to put on masks or convey a sense of false identity,” he explained.
“She Loves Me” is perfect for anyone who loves musicals. It also ties into Christmas and is a great way to celebrate the holiday season. The show is cheerful and fun, and is a sweet depiction of two people discovering their love for each other.
“Audiences will love the musical numbers, but they will also get to enjoy a story about the rediscovery of love and the joy of being honest and true to yourself as well as the freedom and human connections that come along with it,” Wysocki stated.
NU students are encouraged to come see this final show of the semester. Each student is entitled to one free ticket when they present their NU ID at the box office.
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