"She Loves Me" BroadwayHD Livestream Review

  On June 30 2016, history was made when the the 2016 Broadway revival of "She Loves Me" became the first Broadway musical to be live streamed on to the internet. Streaming service, BroadwayHD, is a new streaming platform that is similar to Netflix but BroadwayHD provides filmed versions of musicals, plays, etc.. When I first heard of BroadwayHD, I was very excited since they claimed that they would stream shows currently running on Broadway and more. The first time I ever went to their website, I was very disappointed since all of their shows were just the stuff from BBC, PBS, and a few other things. So, I went through life barely caring about BroadwayHD. Then, my hope for them was reclaimed when it was announced that they would do a livestream of the most recent production of  Roundabout Theatre Company's "She Loves Me" on Broadway!

  "She Loves Me" is a show about two people, Amalia and Georg, who work in the same parfumarie. Both of them are a part of a Lonely Hearts Club, in which they write anonymous love letters to another anonymous person. Amalia and Georg don't get along at work, but little do they know that they are writing love letters to each other! All of this happens as drama between the boss and some of his workers unfolds at the parfumerie. "She Loves Me" really is a delightful little show. The score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick is really clever and sweet, and the book by Joe Masteroff is hilarious. The Roundabout production is  splendid. It was cast perfectly and the production value is divine.

(Left to Right) Zachary Levi as Georg, Laura Benanti as Amalia, Michael McGrath as Laidslav, Nicolas Barasch as Arpad and Jane Krakowski as Illona

    As Amalia Balash, Laura Benanti is flawless. She is able to stay true to the material, while still being able to bring a touch of herself to the role. It almost seems as if Benanti was born to play the role of Amalia. Zachary Levi's portrayal of Georg is very energetic and Levi puts a lot of passion into his performance. You can really tell that he is thrilled to be a part of this production. Benanti and Levi are an enchanting onstage pair, even when they aren't getting along.
Gavin Creel (Steven Kodaly) and Jane Krakowski (Illona) performing "Illona"


   Another great onstage pair is Jane Krakowski and Gavin Creel who play the roles of Illona Ritter and Steven Kodaly. Krakowski's Illona is priceless, she steals the show and has an excellent onstage presence, in addition to being super flexible. Creel is very dashing as Kodaly, he has a marvelous voice and his big number with Krakowski stops the show cold. Other standouts in the show include Nicolas Barasch as Arpad Laszlo, Byron Jennings as Mr. Maraczek, and Tom McGowan as Laidslav Sipos.

  David Rockwell's Tony Award Winning set for this show is unbelievable. It looks absolutely stunning and could see all of the little detail that went into it. Even the show's scene changes are fascinating, that is how good the set is. In the age of projections and fake sets, it is really refreshing too see such a beautiful and intricate set.  

  This production of "She Loves Me" is gorgeous and I am so glad BroadwayHD is finally working on bringing Broadway shows to people who cannot always make it to New York to see them.  I can't wait for them to do more, so wonderful productions like this can be properly preserved and viewed for many years to come. 

Image result for 4 and a half stars




 ROUNDABOUT THEATRE COMPANY'S PRODUCTION OF
"SHE LOVES ME"
Book by Joe Masteroff
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Based on a play by Milkos Laszlo
Directed by Scott Ellis

For more information on this production of "SHE LOVES" me visit:
https://www.roundabouttheatre.org/

For more information on BroadwayHD, visit: https://www.broadwayhd.com/


The cast of the live streamed version of Roundabout Theatre Company's "SHE LOVES ME" consist of:
Amalia Balash- LAURA BENANTI
Georg Nowack- ZACHARY LEVI
Illona Ritter- JANE KRAKOWSKI
Steven Kodaly- GAVIN CREEL
Mr. Maraczek- BYRON JENNINGS
Laidslav Sipos- TOM McGOWAN
Arpad Laszlo- NICOLAS BARASCH




    

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