Theater Review: Cape Rep’s ‘She Loves Me’ The Perfect Rom Com

 Who doesn’t love a good rom com? Cape Rep’s “She Loves Me” is just that. 

 It stars a boy and girl who are secret lovers through a lonely hearts classified ad. They’ve exchanged fabulous letters but have never met. But have they? They are also bickering coworkers. What will happen when the letter writers decide to meet in person? 

 It’s a familiar formula, and we can thank Miklos Laszlo’s 1937 play “Parfumerie.” It inspired movies such as “The Shop Around The Corner” and “When Harry Met Sally.” In 1963, Joe Masteroff (book), Jerry Bock (music) and Sheldon Harnick (lyrics) took Laszlo’s play and created the Broadway musical “She Loves Me.” 

 In Cape Rep’s production, director Maura Hanlon captures the musical’s appeal with both big splashes and tiny nuances. The cast is excellent. Even the myriad Maraczek's Parfumerie customers grab the spotlight in bewitching delight.

 The songs just flow along with the dialogue like a stream in the woods, and every cast member sings beautifully, hitting high notes perfectly again and again.

George Nowack (a dynamic Anthony Teixeira) is the shop’s manager and new employee Amalia Balash (a luminous Chelsey Jo Brown) is the thorn in his side. The two are totally unaware that they are the letter writers. Despite that, we soon witness their contentious interactions literally melt away because of some vanilla ice cream. Teixeira and Brown are splendid. There are many mesmerizing moments between the two, and they master some tricky wordplay, especially Brown. You can’t help but wish for a happy ending for the two. 

 As in most rom coms, there’s a subplot. Here we see that two other shop employees are involved in more than a simple flirtation. Ilona Ritter (the always scrumptious Trish LaRose) and the office cad, Steven Kodaly (Jakov Schwartzberg), are sneaking out on a regular basis except when he blows her off for some mysterious previous engagement. Schwartzberg plays the villain well, with a devilish grin and who-cares attitude. LaRose embraces Ilona with her signature sashaying, tantalizing style. She never disappoints.

 As for the rest of the cast, no weak links here! As Arpad Laszlo the delivery boy, Broedy Geary is charming, and Brian Ferrell’s Mr. Maraczek is relatable. Cam Torres was great in his roles as both a devious private detective and a distraught waiter. Then we have these three scene-stealers as the shop’s customers: Holly Hansen, Lynne Ruberti Johnson and Izzy Scampoli. The trio are a part of nearly every scene (and every scene change) in delightful fashion. What a hoot they are! What Hansen can do with just her eyes is magnificent! As always, Ari Lew is entertaining as Ladislav, the sensible employee who is the glue in the ensuing chaos of retail life especially during the Christmas shopping season.

 This is a tour de force performance for costume designer Robin McLaughlin. The detailed, colorful and fully accessorized costumes are great! The "customers" changed their look frequently, and McLaughlin made them shine. Details are McLaughlin’s forte. 

 The band punctuated every scene with panache. They are Susan Goldberg (bass), Chris Santos (percussion), Jonathan Ford (violin) and musical director Scott Storr (piano). Ryan McGettigan’s detailed set, with Christopher Ostrom’s lighting and Janine Perry’s props, was stupendous. We loved the clever way folks entered and exited the shop. Stage manager Maeve Moriarty and assistant stage manager Hannah McLaughlin kept it all rolling along seamlessly. 

 The show is about two and a half hours with a 15-minute intermission. On opening night the audience sprang to their feet with boisterous applause at the curtain call. No doubt you will too!