"Guess who? I'm baaaaaaaack," says Playbill.com favorite Silber. " Alexandra ('Al') Silber here, to bring you the behind-the-scenes-comings-and-goings of the very special 50th anniversary, fully-staged concert production of She Loves Me up at The Caramoor Music Festival, featuring the Orchestra of St. Luke's, directed and conducted by Tony and Grammy Award winner Ted Sperling, with a starry super-dreamy Broadway cast (that probably could never have been assembled except for a summer weekend!)"
"So enjoy. There will be photos. There will be captions featuring my signature snarky wit. And, crucially: There will BE ICE CREAM! Sincerely Yours, Dear Friend."
Welcome to Caramoor! "Caramoor is the legacy of Walter and Lucie Rosen who built the luxurious Mediterranean-style villa and filled it with their treasures…"
Alexandra Silber
"...Caramoor is a cornerstone of the cultural life of Westchester. Since 1945 visitors have delighted in the exceptional music—from classical to opera to jazz—and the enchanting garden setting that makes Caramoor such a unique and treasured resource."
Alexandra Silber
![To celebrate the 50th anniversary of <i>She Loves Me</i>, the artistic director assembled an all-star Broadway cast to perform with resident orchestra The Orchestra of St. Luke's, directed and conducted by Ted Sperling. [PS: ...What a dump.]](http://assets.playbill.com/editorial/_embeddedGallerySize/1cc59b3af9b10dfe8cacc4e69f34bb9a-silbercaramoor3.jpg)
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of She Loves Me, the artistic director assembled an all-star Broadway cast to perform with resident orchestra The Orchestra of St. Luke's, directed and conducted by Ted Sperling. [PS: ...What a dump.]
Alexandra Silber
... NEVER, not in their entire history, has Caramoor ever done a MUSICAL. This historic event took place in Caramoor's beautiful outdoor amphitheater.
Alexandra Silber
Rehearsing "Good Morning, Good Day" at 42nd Street Studios.
Alexandra Silber
Brad Oscar and Montego Glover rehearsing "A Trip to the Library"
Alexandra Silber
Ted Sperling conducting the magnificent Orchestra of St. Luke's at the sitzprobe. (You should have heard them!)
Alexandra Silber
There I am! With Etai BenShlomo and Ryan Silverman
Alexandra Silber
John Cullum and Ted Sperling rehearsing "Days Gone By"
Alexandra Silber
HM: Hershberg, Oscar, BenShlomo and Silber... Which Bock & Harnick musical IS this?!
Alexandra Silber
...is this She Loves Me or Fiddler on the Roof?
Alexandra Silber
Rehearsing "Days Gone By"
Alexandra Silber
If you are sitting there going "is that a REHEARSAL CELESTE?" ... you would be right. Ten Points for Griffindor.
Alexandra Silber
Jonathan Freeman watching rehearsal.
Alexandra Silber
The Orchestra of St. Luke's rehearsing the overture at their home in The Baryshnikov Arts Center.
Alexandra Silber
Fontana panic. (No, but seriously, MAJOR professional double-duty going on here...we began rehearsing the MORNING AFTER THE TONY AWARDS for which Santino was nominated. Trooper.)
Alexandra Silber
![After rehearsals in town were complete we BOARDED THIS BUS. [*pause*] ...you heard me. WE BOARDED THIS VERY BUS LIKE WE WERE ON A SANDALS TOUR and they carpooled the cast and orchestra to and from New York City.](http://assets.playbill.com/editorial/_embeddedGallerySize/a2eeef24266dd06c10acaa5f51966f46-silbercaramoor18.jpg)
After rehearsals in town were complete we BOARDED THIS BUS. [*pause*] ...you heard me. WE BOARDED THIS VERY BUS LIKE WE WERE ON A SANDALS TOUR and they carpooled the cast and orchestra to and from New York City.
Alexandra Silber
Then, we had one day to set the show on the actual stage...
Alexandra Silber
"Christmas" in June.
Alexandra Silber
John Cullum and Santino Fontana share a laugh.
Alexandra Silber
Rehearsing "Romantic Atmosphere"
Alexandra Silber
BWAHAHA! Maestro John Cullum usurps the throne...
Alexandra Silber
This was a cast that LOVED a good photo op. Gavin Gregory, Montego Glover, Rebecca Eichenberger, Margot de la Barre, Barbara Marineau, John Cullum and Brad Oscar.
Alexandra Silber
Ryan Silverman contemplates. "Now hooooow doooo I pronounce my character's naaaaame...?"
Alexandra Silber
The view of the orchestra from Stage Left. Beautiful Mediterranean architecture.
Alexandra Silber
![All of us had our scripts and scores IN THE WINGS in case of emergency. We are clearly losing our minds as the evening of tech wears on.<br><br> [Also: YES. We ALL used those prop cosmetics... by Day 10 it was more repugnant than SEPHORA...]](http://assets.playbill.com/editorial/_embeddedGallerySize/f678d19478f27549fb5903a077c3370f-silbercaramoor29.jpg)
All of us had our scripts and scores IN THE WINGS in case of emergency. We are clearly losing our minds as the evening of tech wears on.
[Also: YES. We ALL used those prop cosmetics... by Day 10 it was more repugnant than SEPHORA...]
[Also: YES. We ALL used those prop cosmetics... by Day 10 it was more repugnant than SEPHORA...]
Alexandra Silber
Whilst rehearsing "Christmas," Santino and Brad contemplate the "box throwing" situation...
Alexandra Silber
Gimme FACE, peeps.
Alexandra Silber
Then before any of us it CONCEIVED TO TO BE POSSIBLE, it was time for mics and costumes. Check out some of our lovely customers Margot de la Barre, Rebecca Eichenberger, Carmen Ruby Floyd and Jessica Hershberg.
Alexandra Silber
Ladies.
Alexandra Silber
"Amalia" with John Cullum and Jonathan Freeman
Alexandra Silber
Carmen Ruby Floyd giving us her "Pollyanna" face.
Alexandra Silber
![Dressing Room antics with Montego Glover. We were terrified of the air conditioner but needed it so badly... the heat made us loopy.<br><br>We laughed our faces off.<br><br> [**DISCLAIMER: Faceless-ness obviously occurred after this photo was taken...**]](http://assets.playbill.com/editorial/_embeddedGallerySize/4550502b0703783b6d24b71e948f04ef-silbercaramoor36.jpg)
Dressing Room antics with Montego Glover. We were terrified of the air conditioner but needed it so badly... the heat made us loopy.
We laughed our faces off.
[**DISCLAIMER: Faceless-ness obviously occurred after this photo was taken...**]
We laughed our faces off.
[**DISCLAIMER: Faceless-ness obviously occurred after this photo was taken...**]
Alexandra Silber
Dapper men Bernard Dotson, Joseph Medeiros and Gavin Gregory.
Alexandra Silber
Sooo maybe we had a few too many ladies per men in the ensemble and decided to have a more PROGRESSIVE "Romantic Atmosphere..." ... it was a HIT. Check out the looks of Jessica Hershberg and Margot de la Barre.
Alexandra Silber
Ryan Silverman: CANADIAN PROFESSIONAL.
Alexandra Silber
Santino Fontana may be Laura Osnes' "Prince Charming," and he may be my "Dear Friend," but the lady kind enough to share him with us all is his real life leading lady-- actress and singer Jessica Hershberg. What a beauty.
Alexandra Silber
Ryan Silverman and a sensible boater...
Alexandra Silber
QUICK CHANGE MADNESS!
Alexandra Silber
"Hey Old Friend." Did you guys know Santino and I have known one another since we were teenagers at summer camp?
...this would be *that* embarrassing reality... circa 1999.
...this would be *that* embarrassing reality... circa 1999.
Alexandra Silber
...ANYWAY, a few years ago we did a benefit with Ted Sperling and discussed all doing She Loves Me together. A dream come true! (Plus: nothing like knowing one another since summer camp to help bring a fully-staged musical together in 10 days...)
Alexandra Silber
Jonathan Freeman is a CLASSIC.
Alexandra Silber
John Cullum prepares for Act 2.
Alexandra Silber
WHOA. Bernard and Gavin mean BUSINESS.
Alexandra Silber
John Cullum as Mr. Maraczek looks on as Santino Fontana's Georg and Montego Glover's Illona attempt to waltz...
Alexandra Silber
You probably can't even imagine the stories we all ate up from the legendary John Cullum. Some of them included how he booked his first Broadway show (um, Camelot) by singing for strangers in a dark theater.
Alexandra Silber
...or how about the time he missed his entrance in 1776 and he entered late as Senator Rutledge from the only viable entrance: THE ONSTAGE LATRINE...(with suitable pompous Congressional dignity OF COURSE.)
Alexandra Silber
PRICELESS.
Alexandra Silber
We're all so used to seeing Ryan Silverman break our hearts that NO ONE KNOWS HE IS not merely golden-throated, HE IS *HYSTERICALLY* FUNNY. His Kodaly was a treat on stage and off.
Alexandra Silber
EVIDENCE.
I give you Exhibit A:
"Ilona"
I give you Exhibit A:
"Ilona"
Alexandra Silber
![Exhibit B:<br> Kodaly and Ilona Photo-booth...<br> [They clearly *HATED* each other...]<br>](http://assets.playbill.com/editorial/_embeddedGallerySize/f540f8b496ad9916785fa57cd81ccf53-silbercaramoor56.jpg)
Exhibit B:
Kodaly and Ilona Photo-booth...
[They clearly *HATED* each other...]
Kodaly and Ilona Photo-booth...
[They clearly *HATED* each other...]
Alexandra Silber
Lemme. Tell. YOU:
Montego Glover RESOLVED.
Montego Glover RESOLVED.
Alexandra Silber
Brad Oscar offering his "Perspective" with signature panache.
Alexandra Silber
Jonathan Freeman revisits his Tony-Award winning portrayal of the Headwaiter. (PS: Etai Benshlomo took this during our dress/tech because multi-tasking is how we all started to roll...)
Alexandra Silber
"Dear Friend"
(PS. ...UM: when The Orchestra of St. Luke's swelled at the end of Act 1? Yeah, it was pretty difficult not to feel your feelings...)
(PS. ...UM: when The Orchestra of St. Luke's swelled at the end of Act 1? Yeah, it was pretty difficult not to feel your feelings...)
Alexandra Silber
Etai's Arpad was so adorable some members of the audience went into a diabetic coma...
Alexandra Silber
When I told Etai in a text message that he was going to be singing "Try Me" to one of his heroes John Cullum, his reply was one of these:
"…"
followed by "HOLY S***BALLS..."
"…"
followed by "HOLY S***BALLS..."
Alexandra Silber
![I'm going to let the good readers of Playbill provide the caption to this one…<br><br>[but all I can say is that expression is one Santino has been giving me for YEARS...]](http://assets.playbill.com/editorial/_embeddedGallerySize/9e980b166be28c33f5badba8b5111dd6-silbercaramoor64.jpg)
I'm going to let the good readers of Playbill provide the caption to this one…
[but all I can say is that expression is one Santino has been giving me for YEARS...]
[but all I can say is that expression is one Santino has been giving me for YEARS...]
Alexandra Silber
Okay. So this was NOT the rehearsal where I nearly broke Santino's face. But there was one where I made him BLEED. What? I apologized to Laura Osnes.
Alexandra Silber
Such as in the movie "Ghost," it's nice to know that a show has a "potters wheel" shot-- Amalia over Georg's shoulder in "Where's My Shoe?" is the She Loves Me version.
Alexandra Silber
Never has there been:
1. more profoundly melted lemon sorbet masquerading as "Ice Cream"
2. Cuter pajamas.
1. more profoundly melted lemon sorbet masquerading as "Ice Cream"
2. Cuter pajamas.
Alexandra Silber
Montego telling us all about her "Trip to the Library"
Alexandra Silber
Ryan tells Brad it's been "Grand Knowing Him..." well.. at least for the last 9 days...
Alexandra Silber
"Thank you, Madam."
Honesty box: Brad Oscar heard the doorbell chimes and walked into place like PAVLOV's DOG EVERY. TIME.... whether we were meant to sing it or not. Bless.
Honesty box: Brad Oscar heard the doorbell chimes and walked into place like PAVLOV's DOG EVERY. TIME.... whether we were meant to sing it or not. Bless.
Alexandra Silber
Are you wondering if we were sweltering in an outdoor amphitheater wearing winter coats in JULY...? 'Cuz yes. Yes we were.
Alexandra Silber
There was a part of "Twelve Days of Christmas" in which all the clerks had to toss packages to one another. Poor Montego, she had to "catch" ALL of the ones that the rest of us PANIC THREW.
Alexandra Silber
Ted Sperling conducting the Orchestra of St. Luke's in the original 1963 orchestrations-- to think that Broadway used to sound as rich and stunning as this all the time! What a treat for modern ears.
Alexandra Silber
The 50th anniversary of the award-winning musical starred Alexandra Silber (Amalia), Santino Fontana (Georg), John Cullum (Mr. Maraczek), Montego Glover (Ilona), Ryan Silverman (Steven Kodaly), Brad Oscar (Ladislav Sipos), Etai BenShlomo (Arpad Laszlo) and Jonathan Freeman (Headwaiter) with Bernard Dotson, Rebecca Eichenberger, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Gavin Gregory, Jessica Hershberg, Margot de La Barre, Barbara Marineau, Lauren Mufson and T. Oliver Reid.
Tony winner Ted Sperling led the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and directs the production in the Venetian Theater. Assistant director Michele Lynch choreographs. With a score by Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick and a book by Joe Masteroff, She Loves Me was first seen on Broadway in 1963. The musical is based on the play Parfumerie by Hungarian playwright Miklos Laszlo, which became the basis of the classic film "The Shop Around the Corner."
The musical, according to press notes, "follows Amalia and Georg, two feuding clerks in a European parfumerie during the 1930s who secretly find solace as anonymous romantic pen pals, little knowing their respective correspondents are actually each other!"
The production team also included production manager Scott Schneider, associate music director Shawn Gough, stage manager Natalie Burns, costume designer Tracy Christensen and assistant costume designer Jennifer Raskopf.
