With catchy songs, unexpected romance and a little holiday magic, The Theatre at Marietta College is bringing the classic musical “She Loves Me” to the stage this November, inviting audiences into a charming story of love, self-discovery and new beginnings.
Set in 1930s Budapest at Christmastime, the musical follows two coworkers who seemingly cannot stand each other, only to discover that they have more in common than they originally thought. The production blends humor, romance and mistaken identities, creating a lighthearted experience for audiences.
Riley Matchinga ’27 takes the lead as Amalia Balash, the newest addition to the staff at Maraczek’s Parfumerie. A bright and determined saleswoman, Amalia finds herself navigating a complicated relationship with her coworker, Georg.
“My favorite part about playing Amalia would have to be combining the classic princess ingénue character with a kind of spastic, funny girl,” Matchinga said.
Kaira Gulett ’29 plays the role of a customer as part of the ensemble. For Gulett, the most challenging aspect of the role has been building the confidence to be vulnerable on stage. She sees rehearsals as an opportunity to conquer those fears and grow alongside her castmates.
“Rehearsals are where magic comes to life. We bond over the mistakes and push each other to be the best we can at our craft,” Gulett said.
Cashia Felt, assistant professor of performance and artistic director of The Theatre at Marietta College, said the production offers an opportunity to present a Golden Age musical while showcasing the talents of Marietta College students. The show was chosen for its cheerful storyline, memorable music, and the creative opportunities it offers students both on and off the stage.
Although audiences will only see the finished production, preparing for the show’s run has required months of planning and countless hours of work. Auditions were held in mid-September, following the musical’s selection in February, and rehearsals began immediately afterward. Since then, students have rehearsed five days a week, spending up to six hours at a time perfecting their performances. Felt noted that at least 50 individuals have contributed to the production in some capacity.
Collaboration extends beyond the performers on stage. Students and crew members work together behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly, from set and costume design to managing technical aspects of the production.
Maddie Sherrod ’28 has taken on multiple responsibilities as part of the production’s stage management team. Now in her third production as an assistant stage manager, Sherrod is also serving as rehearsal stage manager for the first time. Her responsibilities include coordinating props, tracking stage activity and helping manage rehearsals alongside the director. She also assists with line readings, scheduling breaks and communicating notes to the cast.
“I am so excited to be a part of ‘She Loves Me’ because it is such a fun musical to watch come together, especially when we have such an amazing stage management team, director, musical director and actors, making all of our hard work pay off!” Sherrod said.
Felt emphasized that a successful musical requires both a creative vision and collaboration from everyone involved. While the directors help shape the production, students also have opportunities to contribute their own ideas and creativity. Beyond the hard work, the Theatre Department hopes audiences leave the performance feeling happy and entertained.
Performances of “She Loves Me” are scheduled for Nov. 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. in the Friederich Theater, located in the Hermann Fine Arts Center at Marietta College. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit mariettacollege.yapsody.com.