A Happy Diversion in ‘She Loves Me’
The perfume shop where romance blossoms in “She Loves Me†must be located in one of those alternative realities where the employees are courteous and helpful, the boss is sincere and generous, and happy endings are inevitable.
In other words, it bears little resemblance to the world as we know it. Still, Actors Co-op makes the most of this charming, if unwaveringly innocuous, 1963 musical from composer Jerry Bock and lyricist Sheldon Harnick (the team behind “Fiddler on the Roofâ€) and writer Joe Masteroff.
Kelley Hinman and Treva Tegtmeier head an appealing cast as sparring shop clerks, each enamored with anonymous pen pals who turn out to be--surprise--each other. The thawing friction and eventual tenderness between them is thoroughly convincing. In whimsical, upbeat songs that pit romantic fantasies against everyday illusions, Tegtmeier’s voice is superbly expressive and musical. Amusingly abetting the romance are their finely sketched co-workers (Rachel Sheppard, Gus Corrado, John Allsopp, Louis Tucker and Welborn Ferrene) and Tom Hillmann as a stuffy waiter.
Bonnie Hellman’s direction brings the look and feel of a big stage musical to the 99-seat Crossley Terrace Theatre, aided by Alex Grayman’s inventively flexible set. Though the show overruns the confines of its slender premise, it’s a smart choice to usher in the holiday season.
* “She Loves Me,†Crossley Terrace Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m. Ends Dec. 22. $18. (213) 964-3586. Running time: 2 hours, 45 minutes.
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