For the cast of Lyric Opera Theater's recent production of "She Loves Me," hours of rehearsing and preparation were spent not just with fellow theater majors, but with friends.
The show, which closed Saturday, was the result of efforts by graduate and undergraduate musical theater students over five weeks. Performances were the work of students for students, since the show was performed at the Evelyn Smith Music Theatre on the Tempe campus.
In addition to rehearsing together, the group of students working on the show sees each other during class hours. Courtney Andrews, a teaching assistant for the department and music director for the show, said it was not unusual for the cast to spend eight to 10 hours together in a day.
"We're our own small family," Andrews said.
As a pianist for the department as well as music director, Andrews has worked with many of the cast members before. She said her relationship with the other students was one of the reasons she enjoyed working on the play.
"It's another place for me to see how far they can go in their talent," Andrews said.
Putting together a show in five weeks can be challenging, and Andrews said it worked because the people involved were "determined and willing."
"You have to give so much of yourself," Andrews said.
To Lyndsey Miller, one of the romantic leads, dedicating herself to working on musicals is a life-long dream. Miller said she has been performing since she was 5.
There was never really a question about what she would do in her future, she said.
"I always knew I wanted to do something with my singing," Miller said.
Even though theater is a big time commitment, Miller said working with a strong cast makes it fun.
"We're such good friends off stage that it's just fun to be with them," Miller said. "The people make it a good experience."
Ashley Ball, a junior who played one of the comedic roles, said that in her experience, spending time at rehearsals always brings casts together. Ball is a transfer student from Canada and has experienced theater both on the professional and university levels.
"You kind of create new families each time you start a show," Ball said.
Like a real family, Ball said some casts tend to disagree and have difficulty with compromise. However, for "She Loves Me," Ball said the cast found common ground.
"We definitely all agree that we want to create a successful show," Ball said. "I think the show had a really good group dynamic."
Based on a 1937 play by Hungarian playwright Miklos Laszlo, the show has a familiar story that was the inspiration for the 1998 film "You've Got Mail."
Ball said that while the story might not be groundbreaking the way more modern theater is, it still resonates with the audience.
"I think you leave a little bit happier," Ball said.
Other cast members agreed that the show was simply funny and enjoyable to watch.
"It's just a really nice show," said Colte Julian, the lead actor.
Julian said he enjoyed playing a character with a range of emotions, even though being on stage most of the time required him to learn many lines. In addition to learning lessons about acting, Julian said the production taught him humility.
"You're no more important than anybody else," Julian said. "For the 20 people on stage, there are probably 30 people you never see."
Reach the reporter at claudia.koerner@asu.edu.
