A charming musical comedy filled with romance, mistaken identities, and timeless songs brings a little holiday magic to the stage.
New Jewish Theatre (NJT) will close its 2026 season with She Loves Me, the beloved romantic musical featuring music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and a book by Joe Masteroff. Based on Parfumerie, a play by Hungarian Jewish playwright Miklós László, the musical is a heartwarming holiday treat filled with witty dialogue, memorable music and the timeless excitement of discovering true love.
“This is the perfect show with which to conclude our 2026 season and celebrate the many joys of the holidays!” said Rebekah Scallet, NJT Artistic Director. “It is a delight from start to finish, and with this stellar company of creatives, St. Louis audiences are in for a real treat!”
Set in a 1930s European perfumery, She Loves Me follows shop clerks Amalia Balash and Georg Nowack, who rarely see eye to eye. Unbeknownst to them, both have answered the same lonely-hearts advertisement and begun exchanging heartfelt letters with anonymous admirers. As their correspondence blossoms into romance, the two must navigate workplace rivalries, unexpected revelations and a series of delightful twists before discovering whether the love they have found on paper can become reality.
The story behind She Loves Me has inspired generations of audiences. László’s Parfumerie also served as the inspiration for the classic films The Shop Around the Corner and You’ve Got Mail, making this musical part of a cherished tradition of romantic storytelling.
Often celebrated as one of the most charming musicals ever written, She Loves Me features a score by the celebrated songwriting team behind Fiddler on the Roof and a book by the writer of Cabaret. The original Broadway production earned five Tony Award nominations in 1964. Its 1993 Broadway revival received the Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival, the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical and the 1994 Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. A celebrated Broadway revival followed in 2016.
“This production also celebrates the incredible depth of talent in our St. Louis arts community,” Scallet added. “Eighty percent of this cast are making their NJT debuts, and I’m thrilled to welcome these talented artists to our stage for the first time.”
Cast
- Bryce A. Miller as Georg Nowack
- Hannah Geisz as Amalia Balash (NJT debut)
- Sara Rae Womack as Ilona Ritter (NJT debut)
- Aaron Fischer as Steven Kodaly, winner of the St. Louis Theater Circle Award for Outstanding Supporting Performer in a Musical for Cabaret
- Richard Harris as Mr. Maraczek (NJT debut)
- Patrick Blindauer as Ladislav Sipos (NJT debut)
- Elijah Paruzynski as Arpad (NJT debut)
- Mark Saunders as the Head Waiter (NJT debut)
Ensemble
- David Hall (NJT debut)
- Annalise McCann (NJT debut)
- Natalie Sannes (NJT debut)
- Molly Stout (NJT debut)
Creative Team
- Director Lee Anne Mathews, returning from the 2024 NJT Production of First Date
- Music Director Larry D. Pry, winner of the 2024 St. Louis Theater Circle Award for Outstanding Musical Direction for NJT’s 2023 production of Into the Woods, and First Date
- Choreographer Ellen Isom, NJT credits: Cabaret, Into the Woods, and Jerry’s Girls
- Set Designer Katherine Stepanek
- Lighting Designer Denisse Chavez, winner of the 2026 St. Louis Theater Circle Award for Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical for Cabaret
- Sound Designer Justin Smith
- Costume Designer Michele Friedman Siler, NJT’s resident costume designer and winner of the 2026 St. Louis Theater Circle Award for costume design for Cabaret
With its enchanting score, endearing characters and romantic surprises, She Loves Me invites audiences to embrace the warmth, humor, and wonder of the holiday season. Whether experiencing the musical for the first time or returning to a longtime favorite, audiences will find plenty to love in this festive season finale.
Production Sponsor for She Loves Me is The Silk Foundation: Kofkoff & Godwin Families. NJT’s 2026 season is generously sponsored by Mary Strauss. She Loves Me is licensed by Music Theatre International
She Loves Me runs at the J’s Wool Studio Theatre (2 Millstone Campus Drive, St. Louis, MO 63146) December 6-20. Performances are Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with one Wendesday Showing on December 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available by phone at 314.442.3283 or online at jccstl.com/shelovesme.
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ABOUT NEW JEWISH THEATRE (NJT): New Jewish Theatre (NJT) is dedicated to exploring Jewish themes and celebrating Jewish writers while examining the full range of the human experience. We present universal work through a Jewish lens, using our productions to enrich lives, promote inclusivity, and build community. In 2025, NJT productions earned 14 St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, recognizing excellence in acting, directing, design, and production. Mary Strauss generously sponsors NJT’s 2026 Season.
ABOUT THE JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER (THE J): The J is an interactive, multigenerational gathering place that offers educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building, and recreational programming to both the St. Louis Jewish community and the community at large. The Jewish Community Center provides two state-of-the-art fitness facilities and a wide variety of programs designed to promote physical, cultural, and spiritual growth. Everyone is welcome at the J.