She Loves Me – Synopsis and First Thoughts

Welcome to She Loves Me! We are very happy to have you here for this one!

This show takes us to a 1930s perfumery, (or, “parfumerie,” if you’re being fancy), in Budapest, Hungary. The story follows two shop clerks, Amalia and Georg, (pronounced like we would say “George”), who don’t get along at work; they constantly clash and misunderstand each other, leading to both being irritated and tired at the end of each work day. The thing that gets them through is that each of them have found an anonymous pen pal, via a newspaper ad looking for a friend to write to. That might sound a bit odd to us now, but at the time, it wasn’t really that strange. In the absence of social media and dating apps, personal ads for a prospective partner, pen pal, friend, or missed connection were common, and had their own spot in the newspapers.

Tone-wise, this one is warm, funny, and very human. It is not big spectacle. It lives in the small stuff: side comments, awkward pauses, or that moment where someone almost says what they mean and then absolutely does not. It is charming in a way that sneaks up on you.

The stakes are not “save the world.” They are smaller and, honestly, sharper. Pride gets in the way. People misread each other. Loneliness makes everyone a little more guarded than they want to admit. The risk here is being seen for who you actually are, which is terrifying even when things are going well.

Also, quick note on why this still matters. We spend a lot of time communicating quickly and not always clearly. This show slows that down. It is about intention. About taking the time to say something real. About what happens when you hide behind a version of yourself that feels safer, and what it takes to step out from behind that.

So yes, it is a romantic comedy. But it is also about connection in a way that feels very current. In our next post, via video, Trista will talk a bit more about that, and about another character you might connect with.

Classroom Work – Building the Skills First

Since students have not seen the show yet, these exercises focus on core skills they will need when they do. Think of this as training the muscles before game day. We will have a few suggestions per post, and you can use what makes the most sense for where your class is.

Anonymous Communication

• Students write a short note to someone in the room without revealing who they are
• Notes can be kind, funny, or observational, but must be specific
• Deliver and read them aloud without guessing the author

In-Person vs. Written

• Pair students up
• Round one: communicate a simple message by writing only
• Round two: same message face-to-face
• Discuss which version felt easier or more honest

Quick Reflection

Ask students:

When do you communicate more honestly, when you have time to think, or when you have to respond in the moment?

Have them hold onto that question as they head toward the performance.