Kentwood Players announces open auditions for
She Loves Me
The celebrated, multi-award-winning 1963 Broadway musical
Book by Joe Maseroff, Music by Jerry Bock, and Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
on September 12 and 13, 2026
at the Westchester Playhouse
This non-equity, non-paid production is directed by Brian Pirnat, with music direction by Elizabeth Bouton Summerer and choreography by Alison Boole, produced for Kentwood Players by Jeremy Palmer and Shawn K. Summerer, and presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Open auditions will take place on Saturday, September 12 from 10am - 2pm and Sunday, September 13 from 6pm - 9pm.
Callbacks by invitation only will take place on Monday, September 14 from 7pm - 10pm.
Video submissions will be accepted until Friday, September 11. Please email shelovesme@kentwoodplayers.org for video submission instructions. Anyone who is called back from a video submission must be prepared to dance at callbacks.
Performance dates are Friday, November 13 through Saturday, December 12, 2026, on Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm with Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm. Saturday matinees, also at 2:00 pm, will be added November 21 and continue through the end of the run. There will be no performances during Thanksgiving Weekend, November 27-29.
In-person auditions, callbacks and performances take place at the
Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
She Loves Me is widely considered one of the most charming romantic comedies ever written. Written by the same team behind Fiddler on the Roof - the show is highly praised for its old-world elegance, endearing innocence, and lush score.
The intimate and touching story is set in a 1930's European perfumery where shop clerks Amalia and Georg, more often than not, don't see eye-to-eye on anything. Both respond to a "lonely hearts advertisement" in the newspaper by addressing them to "Dear Friend" and now live for the love letters they exchange. But the identity of their admirers remains unknown. Join Amalia and Georg to discover the identity of their true love... with all the twists and turns along the way!
If the "enemies-to-lovers" plot about anonymous pen pals who cannot stand each other in person sounds familiar, it is because this story has inspired several major Hollywood films, including The Shop Around the Corner (1940) starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, In the Good Old Summertime (1949) a musical version starring Judy Garland and Van Johnson, and You've Got Mail (1998) the modern tech adaptation starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.
AUDITION PROCESS
Kentwood Players is committed to fostering an inclusive environment, and encourages actors of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, and identities to audition.
Appointments are not necessary for in-person auditions, but please allow time to sign in and complete any required paperwork during scheduled audition times. Bring a current headshot, resume, and your calendar, as you will be asked to note any potential conflicts with the rehearsal schedule on Mondays-Thursdays 7pm - 10pm and Saturdays 10am - 2pm.
Please prepare 16-32 bars in the style of the show. Please do not sing from the show or anything contemporary. (i.e. no Pasek & Paul, Jason Robert Brown, Sondheim, etc.) Please bring sheet music in the correct key and appropriately marked for the accompanist.
Everyone should be prepared to learn a brief movement call at auditions. Please bring shoes that you can move in.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN
Amalia Balash: Female identifying, Lead, 25-35, Attractive, bright but nervous at times. Highly romantic. Becomes a sales clerk at the Parfumerie. Legit (glorious) Soprano (H-B5 to L-C4).
Georg Norwack: Male Identifying, Lead, 25-35, personable yet shy, soft spoken, and capable. The Manager at the Parfumerie. Secretly a bookworm and romantic. Legit Baritone (H-F4 to L-B2).
Arpad Laszlo: Male Identifying, Supporting, 17 or 18 years old (in appearance) - an errand boy on a bike and in knickers. Charming/quirky and ingratiating; Dreams of being treated like an adult and moving up in the world. Baritone (H-E4 to L-A#2/Bb2).
Illona Ritter: Female Identifying, Supporting, 30-35, a wisecracking, flirty gal who's been around and loves male attention. Sales Clerk at the Parfumerie. Dance background a plus, must be an excellent mover. Legit/Belt Mezzo-Soprano (H-E5 to L-F#3/Gb3).
Ladislov Sipos: Male Identifying, Supporting, 45-50 but possibly looks older. A veteran salesclerk at the Parfumerie. Funny character actor. A pacifist with a good heart. Baritone (H-E4 to L-A2).
Mr. Maraczek: Male Identifying, Supporting, 60-65. Genial looking owner of the Parfumerie. Capable of being difficult when the occasion arises, he's secretly distressed by his wife's infidelity. Baritone (H-C4 to L-B2).
Steven Kodaly: Male Identifying, Supporting, 30-35, handsome, dapper, and shallow. A salesclerk at the Parfumerie. A ladies' man. Sleek, crafty and an excellent mover. Legit Tenor (H-A4 to L-B2).
Keller: Male Identifying, 30-50 in age. The quintessential investigator in raincoat & hat. Character actor. Also, part of the Ensemble.
Maitre D': Male or Female / Non Binary Presenting. Featured, 40-60 in age. Head waiter at the Cafe Imperiale. Snooty, fussy and easily irritated. An extremely funny and fearless character actor. Legit/Falsetto Tenor (B4 to B2). Also, part of the Ensemble.
Busboy: Featured in Cafe Imperiale, 20-30 in age. A klutzy, comic character actor. Good with pratfalls and physicality. Also, part of the Ensemble.
Ensemble: Male or Female identifying, 20's - 50's in age. All quite distinctive character types. Townspeople, Shop Patrons, Cafe Couples, Carolers, etc.
For questions about this production, the rehearsal process or the audition process, please contact the director and production team via email to
shelovesme@kentwoodplayers.org
Kentwood Players holds auditions for its main stage shows 6 times a year.