Rediscovering She Loves Me: A Stripped-Down Production for a New Era

Long Wharf Theatre is set to celebrate its 60th anniversary season with a production that promises to capture the hearts of its audiences, much like its source material has done for decades. This fall, the beloved musical She Loves Me will take center stage at The Lab at ConnCORP, but not in the way audiences might expect. Under the direction of Artistic Director Jacob G. Padrón, this new interpretation strips away the layers of traditional staging to reveal the raw emotional core of the story—a story that has resonated through multiple adaptations over the years.

A Tale As Old As Time—Or at Least the 1930s

The narrative of She Loves Me is one that has stood the test of time. Originally based on the 1937 play Parfumerie by Hungarian playwright Miklós László, the story has been adapted into multiple formats, each bringing its own flavor while retaining the heart of the tale. The play's first foray into film came in 1940 with The Shop Around the Corner, directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan. The story then saw a revival in the 1949 film In the Good Old Summertime, a musical adaptation starring Judy Garland and Van Johnson, set against the backdrop of a 1900s Chicago music shop.

However, it wasn't until 1963 that She Loves Me, the musical we know and love today, took the stage. With music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and a book by Joe Masteroff, this adaptation captured the charm and whimsy of the original play while adding a delightful musical score. Over the years, She Loves Me has become a cherished piece of musical theater, praised for its endearing characters, romantic plot, and timeless music. The story made its way back to the big screen in 1998 with the Nora Ephron-directed film You've Got Mail, starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, which brought the narrative into the digital age, transforming letters into emails but keeping the essence of anonymous romance alive.

A Fresh Vision for a Timeless Story

So what makes Long Wharf Theatre's production of She Loves Me different? For one, it's the setting. The Lab at ConnCORP will be transformed into an intimate performance space, a choice that immediately signals a departure from the grandiosity often associated with musicals. Artistic Director Jacob G. Padrón, known for his bold and thought-provoking interpretations, has chosen to focus on the story's emotional truth rather than its traditional trappings. This production will be stripped-down, not in the sense of being minimalist for minimalism's sake, but as a means of honing in on what truly matters in the narrative: the connections between ordinary people.

Set in 1934 Budapest, the backdrop of She Loves Me is a world in flux, filled with love, longing, and the tensions of a society on the brink of change. Padrón's approach will highlight these elements, offering audiences a chance to see the story through a contemporary lens while still honoring its historical context. The decision to stage the musical in a more intimate setting is a deliberate one, aiming to draw audiences into the lives of the characters and the emotional journeys they undergo. This isn't just about romance; it's about the universal human experience—the hopes, dreams, and fears that unite us all.

A Collaborative Effort

Joining Padrón in this endeavor is Grammy Award-nominated orchestrator Andy Einhorn, whose expertise in musical theater brings a level of musicality that will elevate the production. Einhorn's involvement ensures that while the staging may be stripped down, the music will remain as lush and captivating as ever. His collaboration with Padrón is a testament to the importance of marrying strong artistic vision with exceptional musical direction, ensuring that this production of She Loves Me will be both sonically and emotionally resonant.

Einhorn and Padrón's partnership is a key component of what makes this production special. Their combined efforts aim to peel back the layers of spectacle to expose the simple, beautiful core of the story—the connections between people. In a world where technology often distances us from one another, this production reminds us of the power of human connection, of the beauty in the everyday, and of the hope that love, in all its forms, can bring.

An Invitation to Experience

As Long Wharf Theatre embarks on its historic 60th anniversary season, this production of She Loves Me serves as a reminder of the enduring power of theater to connect, to move, and to inspire. It's a love letter to the art form itself, to the stories that have shaped us, and to the new interpretations that keep those stories alive.

For audiences familiar with the musical, this is an opportunity to see it in a new light, to experience the story not as a period piece, but as a reflection of our own time. For those new to She Loves Me, this production offers a perfect introduction—a chance to fall in love with a story that has captured hearts for nearly a century.

In a world where we are often encouraged to move quickly, to focus on the grand and the spectacular, Long Wharf Theatre's She Loves Me invites us to slow down, to look closer, and to find beauty in the small, seemingly insignificant moments that, in the end, are anything but. This is a show about regular people, living regular lives, and finding something extraordinary along the way. It’s an evening of romance, connection, and hope—a perfect way to begin a new chapter in Long Wharf Theatre's storied history.

Come, take a seat, and let She Loves Me remind you that even in the most ordinary of settings, love can blossom, connections can form, and hope can prevail.