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Because Westport Playhouse's production of She Loves Me has struck a chord with audiences since its April opening, its run has been extended to May 15. But unbeknownst to delighted theatre-goers, a classic show business story has been taking place behind the scenes of the production. During previews, the violinist for She Loves Me," a key player in the five person ensemble that powers the Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock music, had to drop out for personal reasons. This last minute, sudden departure left a very big hole to fill. Who could take over at the eleventh hour, learn the challenging score and make it all seem seamless?
Luckily, an understudy was at the ready when the big break came. Except there was no understudy. Instead, Angela Marroy Boerger, the Playhouse's Education and Community Programs Coordinator, was encouraged to tryout for this challenging position. An accomplished violinist with many years of study, she auditioned for Artistic Director Mark Lamos and Wayne Barker, the show's musical director. The good news was she got the job. But, the bad news was, she had just one evening to prepare. Angela practiced the score on a Thursday evening and the next night, dressed in orchestra black, she played the first of eight shows a week in the pit.
And her performance was noticed; a reviewer singled out Angela's lovely violin solo. But she hasn't given up her original job. She plays in the pit in the evening but during the day, she's back at her full-time job planning educational programs for the Playhouse and working with the incoming intern class. Oh, and did I mention she's pregnant? Hear Angela and the rest of the musicians in the final week of She Loves Me at Westport Playhouse. For more information and tickets, visit the Playhouse's website.
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