‘She Loves Me’ Vintage Charm Meets Modern Relevance
I attended She Loves Me at the Players Guild of Dearborn, Friday evening and left the theater both charmed and unexpectedly reflective. As someone in my 30s seeing this musical for the first time, I didn’t walk in with nostalgia for the show or its era—I came in with curiosity. What I found was a production that felt at once delightfully vintage and surprisingly relevant.
[Warning: spoilers from She Loves Me are below!]
Classic meets current in She Loves Me
Set in a 1930s European perfumery, She Loves Me follows Amalia Balash (Kristen Dittus) and Georg Nowack (Ben Wetzel)—co-workers who constantly clash at work, unaware that they’ve been falling in love with each other through anonymous letters exchanged via a “lonely hearts” ad. The story unfolds like a romantic puzzle: witty, tender, and deeply human. What caught me was how timeless its themes are. Beneath the old-world setting and musical charm lies something we still chase today—the desire to be seen, understood, and loved for who we really are.
The culture of the show’s time feels like another world compared to ours. In the 1930s, social interactions were slower, letters were sacred, and relationships unfolded with a kind of formality that now feels foreign. People dressed up for work, respected hierarchy, and measured their words carefully. Watching that unfold, I couldn’t help thinking about how dating and communication have transformed. If Amalia and Georg were alive today, they’d probably be on a dating app, agonizing over text bubbles and emojis instead of waiting by the mailbox. The perfumery might be a sleek boutique with curated Instagram posts and influencer clients. And yet, despite all the modernization, the emotional core remains the same—connection, longing, awkwardness, and hope.
There’s also something poignant about how the show handles waiting. In our world of instant gratification, the act of writing a letter and waiting days or weeks for a reply seems radical. The production beautifully captures that tension between anticipation and discovery, reminding us that love—real love—often unfolds at its own pace.
Players Guild of Dearborn’s She Loves Me is guided by a talented team
Director Nathan Vasquez, assisted by Leah Frazier, deserves special credit for guiding the show with both energy and restraint. The pacing kept the banter between Amalia and Georg snappy and believable, while still allowing quieter emotional moments to land. Music Director Paul Abbott brought warmth and precision to Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick’s score, making the songs feel like extensions of the characters rather than set pieces. And Choreographer Kristen Sonberger added a graceful rhythm that suited the period while remaining accessible to modern audiences.
The cast delivers heartfelt performances that ground the show’s old-world charm in genuine emotion. Ben Wetzel brings an endearing mix of exasperation and vulnerability to his role, while Kristen Dittus(Music Man) radiates sharp wit and vocal warmth, making every song she sings feel personal. Mike Moseley adds emotional depth with a performance that’s quietly poignant, revealing the humanity beneath his character’s stern exterior. Juliette Delabbio-Abbott lights up the stage with magnetic energy and comic timing, playing a woman navigating love and self-worth with both humor and honesty. Michael Phair embodies cunning, giving his character a slick edge that contrasts nicely with the others’ sincerity. Brian Townsend offers steady comic support, grounding scenes with a veteran’s ease, while Noah DeRay brings youthful enthusiasm and natural charm that make his scenes sparkle.
What’s the magic of a letter?
As someone who grew up on the edge of smartphones, fast messaging, and algorithmic matchmaking, it was oddly moving to watch a story where people fall in love through letters. She Loves Me reminds us that connection doesn’t need to be instantaneous to be meaningful. This production at the Players Guild of Dearborn proves that an old-fashioned love story can still speak to a modern heart. Vasquez, Abbott, and Sonberger have crafted something that feels timeless—a musical about patience, discovery, and the beautiful unpredictability of love. In a world that moves too fast, sitting in that theater felt like taking a deep, necessary breath
She Loves Me runs at the Players Guild of Dearborn through November 23, 2025, with performances on weekends at the Guild’s historic theater located at 21730 Madison Street in Dearborn. Tickets are available online at The Players Guild’s website or at the box office before each performance. Whether you’re a longtime fan of classic musicals or discovering this gem for the first time, this charming and heartfelt production is well worth adding to your fall theater plans. Let us know your thoughts on this production @BoxSeatBabes on all social media platforms!
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