By Jordan Beach
Nick DiPuma and Katie Hartel will star in Reinhardt University Theatre’s upcoming performance of “She Loves Me.”
DiPuma, sophomore musical theatre major, plays Georg Nowack, an employee at Maraczek’s Parfumerie. Georg corresponds with a “dear friend” by writing letters. One day, Amalia Balash—who also writes to a “dear friend” and is played by Hartel, arrives at the store and is hired on the spot. The two do not get along as employees, but on paper, it’s another story.
One of DiPuma’s favorite parts of depicting Georg is that he has the opportunity to work with almost everyone in the cast while performing.
“I love watching my peers work, and playing Georg gives me the opportunities to be onstage and interact with just about everyone in the show. That luxury is a gift that comes from playing him.”
Hartel, sophomore musical theatre major, played the role of Amalia Balash in her high school’s production of the show, and it remains her favorite role to portray because she finds the character inspiring and relatable.
“Amalia is remarkably headstrong and outspoken, especially for the time period of the show, and is such a sassy and fun counterpart to Georg,” said Hartel. “However, the audience also sees a more vulnerable side of Amalia as she anxiously awaits meeting her love throughout the show. I think the core of why I love stepping into Amalia’s shoes so much is because I relate to her. I think we all can.”
Most recently, DiPuma and Hartel performed in “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised], “The Good Times are Killing Me” and “The Secret Garden.” Hartel also played a role in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
“She Loves Me” will run at Reinhardt University Theater for two weekends. Tickets for can be purchased for Nov. 15-16 and 22-23 at 7:30 p.m., and 16-17 and 23-24 at 3 p.m.
“In a dark period of time in our world, we all need a reminder that love will always come out on top,” Hartel said. “I believe that a show with such a heart as ‘She Loves Me’ provides hope and has the power to make one believe in love again.”
“This story is elegantly simple in its presentation of situations and ideas that I feel we can all identify with,” said DiPuma. “That, and it’s fun! Come to have an enjoyable night, that’s all any of us wish to give you.”