I went to opening night of Covenant’s production of She Loves Me on Thursday, February 20, at 7:30 PM.
The cast was smaller than that of other shows I’ve seen at Covenant, but that allowed every single actor to shine. Stand out performances from the principal cast included Virgina Barnes as Ilona Ritter, and Lukas Carlson as Mr. Marasczek. Barnes and Carlson truly embodied the roles and brought personal flair when appropriate. Leads Michael Cooke (Georg Nowack) and Emmaline Mountain (Amalia Balash) had impeccable chemistry and owned the stage.
Directed by Frank Mihelich, the actors brought the romantic comedy to life on stage and in the audience. Their breaks of the fourth wall and interactions with the audience were well timed and executed. During the scene changes, Mihelich chose to have the actors interact with one another in character, delighting the audience and avoiding any awkward pauses that would affect the flow of the story.
The set, constructed to look like a 1930s European parfumerie, was floor to ceiling with a pastel color palette and windows. Part of the set could be wheeled open to show a lower level storage area for a couple of scenes. The set design team effectively backdropped an elegant cafe/diner scene with curtains, and used the stage floor to store beds for a hospital and bedroom scene. Considering the small size of the Sanderson Hall theater, the set was simple and well executed.
Like the set, all costumes and makeup were period appropriate. They reflected character storylines, including new outfits as Georg and Amalia met the “dear friends” from their letters, and demonstrated character development through the gradual addition of modesty to Ilona’s costumes as she realized that she desired to be less promiscuous and pursued the man she met in the library. Overall, I appreciated their attention to detail.
The lighting and sound were innovative and impressive. Lights in the windows of the set were used to signify the time of day and weather in some of the scenes. A strobing effect added to the intensity of a frantic Christmas shopping scene. A live band of electric keyboardists, a trumpeter, violinist, and percussionist accompanied the show. While this was an exciting and impactful addition, the band’s proximity to the audience may have overpowered some of the stage performances. The music in general, however, was expertly performed.
The opening night audience was full of the cast’s friends and family, who brought strong energy and encouraged engagement with the show. Some seating options included cafe tables, making some audience members feel as if they were part of the story. This arrangement allowed for interaction between the actors and the audience, which only increased the entertainment value. It was a very fun and joyful experience.
Overall, this production of She Loves Me was excellent and remarkably professional. I look forward to what Covenant’s Theatre department has next!