Occasionally, local fans of the arts are reminded of just how much talent fills the halls of Allen Community College.
One such reminder is on display this week, as the ACC drama and music departments present “She Loves Me!” at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center.
Headlining the ambitious musical production is the effervescent Katherine Terhune as Amalia Balash, a young Hungarian woman who seeks a job at a local parfumerie.
Little does she know, but the man who hires her — Emporia’s Ian Malcolm as Georg Nowack — is also her secret “dear friend” pen pal.
The intrigue about someday meeting keep the two on a delightedly nervous edge.
Alas, pressures in the office get in their way. As co-workers, the two bicker incessantly, and Georg must deal with his increasingly overbearing boss, the perfume shop’s owner, Mr. Maraczek, performed brilliantly by Garnett’s Austin Wickwire.
When Maraczek orders his entire staff to work late, it happens to fall on the same day Georg and Amalia had planned to rendezvous at a local restaurant.
Will Marazcek’s increasing irritability with Georg et al ruin their date night? Will Georg succumb to his inner frustration and leave the business altogether?
Those questions are answered tonight through Saturday at 7:30 at the Bowlus auditorium. Tickets sell for $6 — $4 for students and children — and are available at the door and in advance at Iola Pharmacy.
TERHUNE is no stranger to local theatergoers, having performed in several Allen, Iola HIgh School and Iola Community Theatre productions.
But rarely has she been allowed this chance to shine as the leading lady.
Her boisterous enthusiasm is mixed with just the right touch of insecurity. That she’s endowed with a singing voice capable of bringing audiences to their feet makes her the perfect foil to Malcolm’s Georg.
Malcom, too, is superb as the put-upon store manager as he nimbly tries to work in a social life while overseeing his ambitious perfume sales staff, and its feisty newcomer Amalia, while trying to please his burdensome boss. Equipped with a rich baritone voice, Malcolm’s charisma carries the day in each of his scenes.
A SUPREMELY talented cadre of actors, singers and dancers fill the production.
Judd Wiltse, Aaron Terhune, Brogan Falls and Catherine Huskey all get opportunities to take center stage at various points.
None disappoint.
Wiltse shines as Georg’s faithful sidekick, a bit nervous that his supervisor will resign and leave him in charge. Aaron Terhune — Katherine’s brother in real life — as another parfumerie worker confirms that stage talent is a family affair in the Terhune household.
Huskey sparkles as another sales clerk, who finds herself dealing with a duplicitous coworker. Falls, likewise, is a young delivery boy eager to show he, too, could ably sell perfume with his older colleagues.
Wickwire is worthy of the heartiest praise for his memorable portrayal of Mr. Maraczek, especially as the audience grows aware of the source of his growing frustration and anger.
Alex Smith and Drew Tucker as a waiter and busboy, will draw laughs as they attempt (somewhat futilely) to create a romantic atmosphere for Amalia’s and Georg’s planned get-together.
Complementing the production are ensemble actors Glenn Riddle Daniesha Stoner, Joie Whitney, Chloe Bedell, Lindsey Temaat, Padyne Durand, Aaron Huskey and Drew Parker.
THE ACTORS, of course, are just part of the story in a musical production.
New Allen music instructor Jeffrey Anderson serves as conductor and pianist for the four-piece orchestra. He’s joined by Bryan Gentry on trumpet, Haley Carlin on bass and Andrew Oatman on drums.
Their pitch-perfect music and impeccable timing paves the way for the production to flow from scene to scene.
Overseeing the production are Allen drama instructor Tony Piazza as the stage director and the aforementioned Anderson as musical director.
With their guiding hands, theater fans can rest assured knowing the upcoming ACCC theatre season will be a memorable one indeed.
PHOTO: Katherine Terhune, above, and Ian Malcolm, shown at right to the left of Judd Wiltse, have starring roles in the Allen Community College production of “She Loves Me.” REGISTER/RICHARD LUKEN
