The original ‘it’s complicated’: Centerstage presents ‘She Loves Me’
Published 5:30 am Saturday, May 23, 2026
Anonymous letters and mistaken identities entwine with a gorgeous score and wonderful characters in this delightful, elegant musical comedy.
In a bustling European city, a small perfume shop sees its fair share of colorful clients, to say nothing of the staff. Shop clerks Amalia and Georg tend to clash more often than not; both are competitive, customer-focused and all business. But outside of work, each has a secret: a romantic pen pal they write rapturous letters to — someone they’ve never even met. … Or have they?
“She Loves Me” was nominated for five Tony Awards when it debuted on Broadway, and both revivals garnered awards of their own. Join Amalia, Georg and all their coworkers as they try to discover the secret identities of both lovers and liars alike.
Rating: All ages. The show runs May 22 to June 14, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.
This production features local actors Brad Alemao as Arpad Laszlo/Ensemble, Sam Barker as Mr. Maraczek, Travis Tingvall as Georg Nowack, Sophia Emanuel as Amalia Balash, Elizabeth Fuller as Ilona Ritter, Mandela Gardner as Ladislav Sipos, Guy Simpson as Steven Kodaly, Atlas Peek as Waitress/Ensemble, Jonna Nguyen as Busboy/Ensemble, Jake Nix as Mr. Keller/Ensemble, Big Anderson as Ensemble, Shelleigh-Mairi Ferguson as Ensemble and Heidi Carrell as Ensemble.
“She Loves Me” is written by the musical geniuses Joe Masteroff, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, and is directed by Michelle Blackmon. Ashley Roy is the choreographer, Lindsay Delmarter is music director, Niclas Olson is technical director, Bruce Haasl is set designer, Darren McCroom and Eva Nguyen are lighting designers, Jeffrey Swiner-Weaver handles props, Blake Miller is costume designer, Ashlyn Bagocius is stage manager, Chelsea “Mo” Moniz is sound designer with Evan Rees as sound engineer, J. Wheeler is assistant stage manager, Dean Marshall is a stagehand, Tuppence Cooney is spotlight operator, Jeff Wallace is in charge of set dressing, and the band consists of Elise Rodrigues and Daniel Self on piano; Lin Chen, Stephen Hegg and Jeremy Lynch on violin; Peter Nelson-King on trumpet; and Eric Parchen on percussion.
The Knutzen Family Theater is located at 3200 SW Dash Point Road, Federal Way, WA. General admission tickets are $40 in advance (online or over the phone) and $43 at the door. Group, student, military and senior ticket discounts are available. More details are available online at www.CenterstageTheatre.com or by phone at 253-661-1444.
The Pay What You Will performance is Saturday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.
About Centerstage Theatre
Centerstage Theatre has served as a South Sound arts community feature since 1977 and has performed inside the Knutzen Family Theatre on beautiful Dumas Bay since 1998. The company employs locally based professional and semi-professional cast and crew members and believes theater serves to make change, build community and expand our collective knowledge base.
Centerstage Theatre is committed to enhancing the lives of Western Washington community members by presenting a family-friendly holiday panto each season, as well as a full season of theatrical favorites and cutting-edge new works. More information is available at www.centerstagetheatre.com
