She Loves Me

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SHE LOVES ME

Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Book by Joe Masteroff
Based on a play by Miklos Laszlo

Director Peet Cocke
Music Director Daniel Thomas
Choreographer Leslie Waggoner^

JUNE 8-25, 2023
Gateway Theatre, San Francisco

From the songwriting team who brought you FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and FIORELLO! comes an “evening of sheer enchantment” (New York Times). Set in a 1930s perfumery, shop clerks Amalia and Georg are constantly at odds; but when they both unwittingly respond to the other’s “lonely hearts advertisement”, they set out to discover the identity of their secret admirer. Featuring such delightful songs as “Vanilla Ice Cream”, “Will He Like Me”, and the show-stopping “She Loves Me”, this celebrated musical promises an evening of irrepressible charm, and some of the most sensational music to have ever graced a Broadway stage.

Stage Manager Tanya Telson* • Assistant Stage Manager Emma Gifford*
Lighting Designer Brittany Mellerson • Costume Designer Brooke Jennings
Scenic Designer Kuo-Hao Lo • Technical Director Stewart Lyle

*Member of Actors’ Equity Association • ^Member of the Stage Directors ands Choreographers Society.

MEET THE CAST • Click on names for bios


SOPHIA ALAWI*
Ilona
Sophia (she, her, hers) is thrilled to return to 42nd Street Moon! She won the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle award for Best Featured Actress – Musical in 2019 for GROUNDHOG DAY THE MUSICAL and was named one of “five standout performances” in 2019 by the Houston Chronicle for the role of Wendla in SPRING AWAKENING. Regional credits include MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, FUN HOME (42nd Street Moon), AS YOU LIKE IT, TWELFTH NIGHT and GROUNDHOG DAY THE MUSICAL (San Francisco Playhouse), SPRING AWAKENING (Theater Under the Stars), and IN THE HEIGHTS (Playhouse on Park). New York credits include FAT KID RULES THE WORLD, and EMERSON LOSES HER MIND. TV credits include “Law & Order: SVU.” Sophia earned a BFA from Rider University and also studied at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting and The Barrow Group in New York. @sophiaintronaalawi

MILO BOLAND
Ensemble
Milo is excited to debut with 42nd Street Moon! Milo is a graduate of Oakland School for the Arts Musical Theatre program. After his time at OSA, Milo headed to Pennsylvania, where he graduated from Muhlenberg College, class of 2021. He received his BA in Theatre with a concentration in Acting. Milo was previously in Berkeley Playhouses Production of FUN HOME(U/S Roy/Pete/Mark/Bobby Jeremy) & MATILDA (Doctor/Escapologist). Milo has also performed in Ray of Light Theatre’s KINKY BOOTS (Harry/Crispin/Charlie & Don U/S) & Landmark Musical Theatre’s RENT (Roger). Milo was on the 20th season of American Idol, where he received a golden ticket and went to Hollywood Week. Next, Milo will be in the regional premiere of Ray of Light Theatre’s CRUEL INTENTIONS: THE 90’S MUSICAL(Ensemble/Swing/U/S Greg). Socials: MiloBoland

BEKAH LYNN BROAS*
Ensemble
Bekah Lynn (s)her(s) is over the *Moon to be making her debut here at 42nd Street *! Hailing from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado where she grew up and received her training from The Denver Center, she’s enormously proud to say she’s here to stay in the Bay after living here for the past two years. Training at A.C.T. this past summer and working with companies around the city like SF Playhouse, 3 Girls Theater, RX Productions, and SFBATCO has been literally like dreaming with eyes wide open. Some of her favorite roles and projects include Olive from 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, Frau Schmidt from THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Lady Death in SKETCH NIGHT and playing a variety of characters as a swing in AS YOU LIKE IT. When she’s not onstage, she’s behind the lens: @bekahlynnphoto. Enjoy this special show! ~ @bekah_lynn_b

BEN CHAU-CHIU
Ensemble
Ben is a Bay Area actor and director. He is excited to work with 42nd Street Moon for the first time! Recent credits include: POOR YELLA REDNECKS, THE HEADLANDS (A.C.T.); DELTA DAZE, MOMO, BEST CHRISTMAS EVER (Monday Night PlayGround SF/NY); MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (San Francisco Shakespeare Festival); BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Palo Alto Players); A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER (Lamplighters Music Theatre); THE ELIXIR OF LOVE, OTELLO (Livermore Valley Opera). He has also worked with Cal Shakes, Berkeley Rep, New Conservatory Theater Center, Town Hall Theatre, and Bay Area Children’s Theatre. Up next, Ben will be working on SF Shakes’ Cymbeline this summer! https://benchauchiu.com/ (he/any).

WILL GIAMMONA
Kodaly
A San Francisco native, Will is happy to be returning to 42nd Street Moon after playing Franklin Shepard in MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG earlier this year. He has recently been seen in other Moon productions, such as Herbie in GYPSY, Carl-Magnus Malcolm in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Ivan Molokov in CHESS, and Tommy Albright in BRIGADOON. Other favorite roles include: Ron/Cat in IRON JOHN (TheatreWorks), Robert in COMPANY (Altarena), Carl-Magnus Malcolm in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Lamplighters, Hillbarn), Napoleon/Alex in SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (SF Playhouse), Leo Frank in PARADE (Palo Alto), Thomas Weaver in THE STORY OF MY LIFE (NCTC & CCCT), Billy Flynn in CHICAGO (Hillbarn), and Princeton/Rod in AVENUE Q for four sold-out seasons (NCTC). He has originated roles in world premieres of three plays: STILL AT RISK, EVERYTHING THAT’S BEAUTIFUL, and American Dream (all NCTC). Find out more at www.williamgiammona.com.

DANIEL GILMER
Ensemble
Daniel is excited to step onto 42nd Street Moon’s stage for the first time in their production of SHE LOVES ME. As a student at Las Positas Community College and member of their Actor’s Conservatory program he is grateful for this opportunity to perform in a new setting, and at a theater he’s heard so much about from one of his professors, Dyan Mcbride, who has played many roles on this stage. If you saw XANADU at Las Positas earlier this spring, you may recognize Daniel as a member of its ensemble. Before coming home to California at the beginning of last fall, Daniel spent some time overseas performing a number of shows at KMC Onstage, a military community theater in Germany. It was an invaluable experience, one whose lessons he hopes to put forth on the stage for you tonight.

RILEY MCFARLAND*
Georg
Riley is an actor based out of New York City making his 42nd Street Moon debut. Special thanks to his mom and dad, Lori and Andy, and his partner, Elisabeth for their support. National Tours: A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER; Off-Broadway: BEFORE THE FLOOD, THE SORCERESS. BFA Musical Theatre from The University of Michigan. rileymcf.com

NICK NAKASHIMA*
Sipos
Nick recently appeared on 42nd Street Moon’s stage as Evelyn Oakleigh in ANYTHING GOES and in TheaterWorks’ production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORROS as Orin Scrivello, DDS. Mr. Nakashima has also had important roles in other productions, including A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, IRMA LA DUCE, THE GOLDEN APPLE, THE PAJAMA GAME (42nd St. Moon), RAGTIME, SENSE & SENSIBILITY, EMMA, THE LEARNED LADIES OF PARK AVENUE, and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (TheatreWorks). Workshops of BURNT PART BOYS, UNLOCK’D, EMMA (TheatreWorks) SONS OF MAUI (SF Playhouse). His regional theater credits include PUTTING IT TOGETHER (Villa Montalvo), NEXT TO NORMAL, SUDS, ME AND MY GIRL (Jewel Theatre), CHILDREN OF EDEN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (AMTSJ), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE PRODUCERS, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (Woodminster).

ROEEN NOORAN
Arpad
Roeen is making his 42nd Street Moon debut, and is excited to invite you to Maraczek’s!! He recently has been in Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 at Shotgun Players as well as going on as a swing in Octet for Berkely Rep/Signature Theatre. He hopes you have a wonderful time and Do come again!

DEBORAH ROSENGAUS
Ensemble
Deborah has performed across the US and internationally in such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Beijing Center for the Performing Arts, and Suntory Hall in Tokyo. She’s performed locally with West Edge Opera, Livermore Valley Opera, Lamplighters, Opera San Jose, Teatro Vision, Pocket Opera, West Bay Opera, Los Altos Stage, Hillbarn, Island City Opera and Solo Opera. She’s received critical acclaim for her performance as Jo in the Opera Little Women and a Theater Bay Area nomination for Ruth in the Pirates of Penzance. For more information: www.DeborahRosengaus.com

MONICA ROSE SLATER
Ensemble
Monica is a Brazilian-American singer-actor based in San Francisco, and she is excited to be making her 42nd Street Moon debut. Since her 2021 cross-country move from Virginia, you may have seen her around the Bay Area as Iolanthe in IOLANTHE (Lamplighters Music Theatre), Sister Sophia/ Maria US in SOUND OF MUSIC (Throckmorton Theatre), Bella Chagall in the world premiere Jon Anderson’s THE COLOR OF LOVE (SF Conservatory), Marmee in LITTLE WOMEN (SF Conservatory) and Violet u/s in VIOLET (Foothills MT). In May 2023, Monica graduated with a Master of Music from San Francisco Conservatory and in 2021, she was a Fulbright Semi-Finalist for the Franz Liszt Academy of Music Award. Monica spends her free time on too many hobbies, among them rollerblading, biking, cooking, painting, and writing. Check out her website at www.monicaroseslater.com or her instagram @monicaroseslater!

MARAH SOTELO
Amalia
Marah is thrilled to be part of this amazing production! Recent Bay Area roles include Louise in GYPSY (42nd Street Moon), Cinderella in INTO THE WOODS (Berkeley Playhouse), Catherine Hastings in A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Center Repertory Company), Kei Kimura in ALLEGIANCE, Cathy in THE LAST FIVE YEARS and Linda Low in FLOWER DRUM SONG (Palo Alto Players), Candela in WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN (Town Hall Theatre), and Sally Bowles in CABARET (Pacifica Spindrift Players). Other favorite roles include Mimi in RENT and Marta in COMPANY (Station Theatre), Lady of the Lake in SPAMALOT and Rosa Bud in THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD (Parkland Theatre), Eponine in LES MISERABLES, Amneris in AIDA, and Christmas Eve in AVENUE Q (Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company), and Johanna in SWEENEY TODD (Danville Light Opera). Hugs, kisses, and all my love to Chris & Pepper! Instagram: @marahsotelo

LEE STRAWN*
Maraczek
Lee is delighted to make his Moon debut with SHE LOVES ME. He has appeared with: TheatreWorks (Judge Turpin in SWEENEY TODD, Brockelhurst/Vicar in JANE EYRE); Diablo Theatre Company (Pickering in MY FAIR LADY); AMTSJ (FDR in ANNIE, R.F. Simpson in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN,); Sierra Repertory Theatre (Don Quixote in MAN OF LAMANCHA, Papa Charlie in SHENANDOAH); Willows Theatre (Von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC); and many others. For five years he appeared in the First National Company of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (LeFevre). For Willows Theatre he created the role of John Muir in MOUNTAIN DAYS – for which he won a Shellie Award for best actor in a musical. Lee lives in SF with his talented wife and daughter. Lee teaches singing in his private studio, and at City College SF.

TED ZOLDAN
Headwaiter
Ted is thrilled to return to Moon, where he went down with the ship in Titanic and spent three Christmases in Scrooge in Love as Mr. Fezziwig. A graduate of San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he was recently seen in San Francisco Playhouse’s award-winning production of Paula Vogel’s Indecent, and as Charles Guiteau in Sondheim’s Assassins at Hillbarn Theatre. He has appeared at Custom Made Theater (Middletown, Book of Liz), NCTC (Avenue Q), Ray of Light Theatre (Into the Woods, Yeast Nation), Berkeley Playhouse (Annie, Ragtime), Town Hall Theater (Mystery of Edwin Drood), and West Edge Opera (The Return of Ulysses) and spent two years touring schools throughout California with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival. @Intheroleofted

PHOTOS
By Ben Krantz Studio • click on image for larger version

Lee Strawn as Mr. Maraczek

Will Giammona as Kodaly, Riley McFarland as Georg, Marah Sotelo as Amalia, and Nick Nakashima as Sipos

Bekah Lynn Broas as Ilona (understudy) and Marah Sotelo as Amalia

Roeen Nooran as Arpad

Riley McFarland as Georg and Nick Nakashima as Sipos

Marah Sotelo as Amalia

Will Giammona as Kodaly and Bekah Lynn Broas as Ilona (understudy)

Bekah Lynn Broas as Ilona (understudy) and Marah Sotelo as Amalia

Ted Zoldan as the Headwaiter

Deborah Rosengaus, Ben Chau-Chiu, Meredith Fox, Daniel Gilmer, Milo Boland, and Monica Rose Slater

Marah Sotelo as Amalia

Riley McFarland as Georg

Will Giammona as Kodaly

Lee Strawn as Mr. Maraczek and Riley McFarland as Georg

Riley McFarland as Georg and Marah Sotelo as Amalia

The Company