Can you love a revival just from the casting announcement of the leading lady?
The news that Roundabout Theatre Company is producing a revival of She Loves Me in the Spring of 2016 as part of its 50th Anniversary Season is made only sweeter by the news that Tony winner Laura Benanti (Gypsy, Women on the Verge) will be heading the production as Amalia opposite Josh Radnor (Disgraced).
She Loves Me (a musical version of The Shop Around the Corner) first premiered on Broadway in 1963 starring Barbara Cook and Daniel Massey and has endured over the decades as one of the finest musical comedies for the stage (with one of the finest scores). Scott Ellis who directed the Tony winning revival of 1993 will be return to direct the revival but our excitement is at peak height mostly because of the presence of Ms. Benanti.
Amalia will be Laura’s first official leading role on Broadway (she was an understudy and replacement for Rebecca Luker in the 1998 revival of The Sound of Music, and I wouldn’t call Julia in The Wedding Singer a lead role). After numerous excellent turns in featured roles it’s great that Laura’s leading role is one that plays both to her gifts for comedy and drama. Amalia is a hell of a role with some excellent songs. I’m already excited to hear Laura’s gorgeous soprano voice taking on “Dear Friend” which is not just my favourite song of the score, but my choice for one of the most beautiful theatre solos ever.
I already know I’m going to overplay that cast recording whenever it comes out. Laura will be added to a list of excellent Amalia’s like the original Barbara Cook and the London revival Amalia Ruthie Henshall. Alas, one of the greatest tragedies in musical theatre cast recording history was that Judy Kuhn (who played Amalia in the 1993 revival) was unavailable for the cast recording.
As we wait for the rest of the cast to be announced, I suggest Jane Krakowski for Ilona, Cheyenne Jackson for Kodaly and Tom Wopat for Mr. Maraczek.
All of a sudden I’m already tired of the 2014/2015 theatre season and can’t wait for next year.
