This week Jes reviewed the BBC version of one of my all time favorite shows, She Loves Me. After reading her review, I'm sure you'll want to see it as well! Click here for access to the full BBC version.
Musical Musings: She Loves Me
A few weeks back, my wonderful vocal coach, aka voice of the Prepared Performer extraordinaire, Molly, told me about a play she is crazy about called, She Loves Me. Within minutes of it starting, I fell in love!! It was not a live performance, but the 1978 BBC movie musical version—another musical freebie! (I’m so thankful we have so much available on the internet to watch for free!) This version of She Loves Me was filmed and broadcast by BBC’s Great Performances. It was produced on Broadway by Harold Prince, with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joe Masteroff.
What an unexpected treat this musical is! I LOVED all the characters, but the stand out performances in this production had to be Gemma Craven as Amalia Balash, Robin Ellis as Georg Nowack, Diane Langton as Ilona Ritter, and Nigel Rathbone as Arpad Laszlo. Each was filled with energy, performed their songs with vigor, AND brought life to their characters, filling them with vivacity. I really enjoy every song, therefore it was a little hard to choose a favorite, so I’ll give you my top fiveJ: “No More Candy,” “Will He Like Me,” “I Don't Know His Name,” “Try Me,” and “Where's My Shoe?”
My favorite scene has to be when Amalia (Craven) and Georg (Ellis) sing “Where’s My Shoe?” I love how crazy Amalia acts when she assumes Georg is at her house to prove she doesn’t care about her job. She attempts to prepare herself for work, but cannot find her shoe. Finally, she gets out the door, but Mr. Nowack, realizes how sick she is, lifts her upside-down kicking and screaming and puts her back in bed. When the two finally stop arguing, Georg hands her some vanilla ice cream, and she calms down.
She Loves Me is exceptionally sweet, and the characters are lovable in their own special ways. My advice is this: plan to watch it on a lazy Sunday afternoon, scoop yourself up a big bowl of vanilla ice cream, snuggle down into a comfy spot, and lose yourself in the world of Maraczek’s Parfumerie!
If you’d like a sneak peek at the music from the revival version of She Loves Me, (not the movie musical), I posted them below. I also added two more favorites as a bonus!
No More Candy
[leadplayer_vid id=”533348E52B176″]
Will He Like Me
[leadplayer_vid id=”533348B39370F”]
I Don’t Know His Name
[leadplayer_vid id=”533349210B006″]
Try Me
[leadplayer_vid id=”53334950F15FD”]
She Loves Me
[leadplayer_vid id=”53348D6E8CCAB”]
Where’s My Shoe
[leadplayer_vid id=”53348DAD35C1D”]
Good Morning, Good Day/ Prelude
[leadplayer_vid id=”53348DF9E16FF”]
Sounds While Selling
[leadplayer_vid id=”53348E409F429″]
-A kid who likes to shimmer, shine, sparkle and glimmer!
Jes DeGroot