Hayes Theatre Co is thrilled to present the delightful romantic comedy, She Loves Me. Chosen for the inaugural Artist Led Production Initiative, this feel-good musical will charm audiences at Hayes Theatre Co from 24 August with tickets on sale now at hayestheatre.com.au.

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.

As Christmas approaches and the staff of Maraczeks deal with demanding customers and complicated inter-personnel relationships, Georg and Amalia continue to clash, while pouring out their troubles to each other in letters. What will happen when the two finally decide to meet? Will love triumph when the truth is revealed?

Returning to the Hayes Theatre playing the lead roles of co-workers Georg and Amalia are Rowan Witt (Book of Mormon, Dogfight) and Caitlin Berry (Melba, South Pacific). Zoe Gertz (High Fidelity, Les Miserables) plays unlucky in love, Ilona Ritter while Kurt Phelan (Dirty Dancing) makes his Hayes debut as the suave Stephen Kodaly. Jay James Moody (The Book of Mormon, The Drowsy Chaperone) plays the role of Ladislov Sipos while Joel Granger (Big Fish) plays the role of Arpa Laszlo. Georgina Walker (Alice in Wonderland) and Suzanne Steele (Dream Lover) complete the cast as the ensemble.

She Loves Me is based on the original 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. This heartwarming 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.

Director Erin James says “She Loves Me is a timeless story about relationships, communication and the fantasy worlds we create to escape the daily grind. Anonymous messaging and online dating are the younger cousins of the lonely-hearts columns of old, and although our current communication methods have advanced beyond the handwritten letters we see in the show, the hearts of humans have not. Whether communication be instantaneous or via snail mail in the post, hearts skip a beat when reading a message from someone special. Even if that someone is a stranger.” 

James continues, “I am thrilled and honoured to be directing this gorgeous musical for Hayes Theatre Co’s inaugural Artist Led Initiative, supported by a wonderful team. I love it, and I can’t wait to bring these ‘Dear Friends’ to life.” 

Director Erin 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 The King and I. Joining James is musical director Steven Kreamer (ASSASSINS, Little Shop of Horrors), choreographer Leslie Bell (Big River) with costumes and set design by Isabel Hudson (The View UpStairs, Dry Land).   

Featuring the songs Vanilla Ice-Cream, Tonight at Eight and Will He Like Me, She Loves Me is a witty and enchanting chamber musical that will charm everyone’s socks off.