You’ll love the cast of She Loves Me at Hayes Theatre Co
We LOVE the cast of She Loves Me, set to open at Hayes Theatre Co in August this year!
This chamber musical, chosen to be the first show in the Artist-Led Initiative at Sydney’s dedicated musical theatre and cabaret venue, has confirmed 8 talented actors to bring the much loved characters to life.
Starring as unassuming Parfumerie clerk Georg Novak is Rowan Witt. Fresh from treading the boards in his Helpmann nominated role of Elder McKinley in the smash-hit The Book of Mormon, Rowan is well known at the Hayes after his mesmerising portrayal of Bernstein in the Australian premiere of Dogfight. The role of Amalia, Georg’s co-worker, will be played by Caitlin Berry, who returns to the Hayes after her scene stealing role in Melba. Caitlin has also appeared in many major Australian musical productions including South Pacific, Dr Zhivago, Lola Montez and Grey Gardens.
Also returning to the Hayes after her knockout performance in High Fidelity is Zoe Gertz, who will play unlucky-in-love Ilona Ritter. Making his Hayes debut is the suave Kurt Phelan (Dirty Dancing), alongside the hilarious Jay James Moody (The Book of Mormon) playing the roles of Stephen Kodaly and Ladislov Sipos respectively. Joel Granger (Big Fish) plays Arpad Laszlo while Georgina Walker (Alice in Wonderland) and Suzanne Steele (Dream Lover) will round out the cast in featured roles.
“The people who know this show rate it as one of their favourites. First up, it’s a genuinely funny, beautifully smart, classic piece of theatre with a killer score to boot”, said the show’s star, Rowan Witt.
“Secondly, the team that have somehow, magically been assembled for this production are pure Australian theatre gold. I can’t wait to play with them. They have a really clear and clever vision for what they want to create with this piece – it’s gunna have brains and heart… and grunt!”
Set in 1930’s Europe, co-workers at Maraczek’s Parfumerie, Amalia and Georg are in love – just not with each other. In fact, you could say that in their case, it was loathe at first sight! Whilst engaged in their ongoing and bitter feud, the pair unknowingly find solace in one another by conducting an anonymous and passionate correspondence through a lonely-hearts column.
She Loves Me boasts a stellar Australian creative team including up and coming director Erin James. James is the recipient of the inaugural Artist-Led Initiative and is a highly esteemed performer in numerous large-scale productions including GFO/ Opera Australia’s My Fair Lady and South Pacific.
“I am so excited to finally announce this amazing cast, who will all bring something incredibly special to this beautiful, charming and heartwarming show”, said Director Erin James.
“I am so fortunate to have such a brilliant team of performers and creatives surrounding me in this exciting project. Bringing these ‘Dear Friends’ to life is going to be an absolute joy”, she said.
Joining James is musical director Steven Kreamer (Assassins, Little Shop of Horrors) and choreographer Leslie Bell (Big River) with costumes and set design by Isabel Hudson (The View UpStairs, Dry Land) and lighting by Matt Cox (A View From the Bridge, Hamlet). This production is proudly sponsored by Frederic Marguerre and Rodrigo Martino.
Based on the original Hungarian stage play – Parfumerie – which was later adapted into the films The Shop Around the Corner, In the Good Old Summertime and most recently the 1994 film You’ve Got Mail with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, this feel-good romantic comedy features a book by Tony Award winner Joe Masteroff, music by Tony Award winner Jerry Bock and lyrics by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Sheldon Harnick.
Tickets for She Loves Me are available now at hayestheatre.com.au or by calling the Hayes Theatre Co box office during business hours on (02) 8065 7337.
Photo by Noni Carroll Photography
