Who doesn’t like a good love story? She Loves Me, the Broadway musical based on Miklos Laszlo’s play, Parfumerie, just opened at the Morgan Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica. It’s romantic, entertaining and fun! The story became the basis of the classic film, The Shop Around the Corner and the hit film, You’ve Got Mail.

Photo courtesy of JDCPhotography and Brian Norris; the cast of She Loves Me

Book written by Joe Masteroff, and directed by Branda Lock, the setting is a European parfumerie in the 1930s where two shop clerks who can’t stand each other, both respond to a “lonely hearts” advertisement. Unbeknownst to either of them, they are writing to each other! And are both falling in love with their admirers who still remain unknown…until they make a date to meet in a café. With music and score by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, known for their work on Fiddler on the Roof, the story unfolds with great performances by Emily Rose Lezin as Amalia, and Aric Martin as Georg.

I really enjoyed this timeless story, the singing and dancing. The entire cast gave great performances. Logan Rice as Arpad Laszlo, is a real scene stealer and hard to believe he’s only 14 years old! Michael Heimos as Mr. Maraczek was funny and animated. Kristen Daniels as Ilona and Jordan Segal as Steven were also great. And I especially liked the dancing of Jenna Stocks as the busboy. The entire production with music direction by Daniel Koh, choreography by Michael Marchak, costume design by Marlee Candell and produced by Bouket Fingerhut was well done. The set design by Tristan Griffin, especially the interior of the parfumerie, felt elegant and authentic.

If you’re a sucker for a good romance, go see, She Loves Me at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre through October 14, 2018; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m. 2627 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica 90405; http://www.morgan-wixson.org