Kenn Wheeler, front, directs “She Loves Me,” a musical that opens May 23 at Eastern Oregon University. The main characters are played by Nicholas Vece, center, and Abby Whitnah, who are both graduating this spring.

LA GRANDE — Eastern Oregon University invites you to step back in time to 1934.

The city is Budapest, Hungary.

The place is a parfumerie where two people must work together despite their animosity. And yet, as the audience discovers early, they are actually pen pals and falling in love — but the characters don’t discover this until the end.

“It’s a fun show. Definitely romantic comedy by every sense,” said Kenn Wheeler, associate professor of theater at EOU.

Wheeler is directing “She Loves Me,” and he’s also a cast member.

He said the musical was written in 1964.

“When it opened on Broadway it got good reviews, but it wasn’t a huge hit,” he said.

It was revived in 2016.

“I watched the show and immediately fell in love with it,” he said.

Abby Whitnah plays the lead woman, Amalia.

“Amalia is smart. She’s driven and a little past the age when you’re supposed to find someone,” Whitnah said.

Nicholas Vece plays opposite Whitnah as Georg.

“Georg is very much the same (as Amalia) — probably why they don’t get along,” Vece said.

The musical will be staged in EOU’s Schwarz Theatre, which features a revolving stage and moveable seating that can be arranged to best suit the production.

“This is the only revolving stage in a college in the Pacific Northwest and we’re taking full advantage,” Wheeler said.

The cast of 14 includes both EOU students and community members. Wheeler joined when another person had to quit the production.

“The easiest thing was just to step in,” he said. “It’s fun to be on stage with my students — it’s an opportunity to interact with them as actors. Plus, I still really like to act.”

For the students, having Wheeler on stage is a unique way to study theater.

“It’s a good learning opportunity. It’s fun to work with a professional energy,” Whitnah said.

Vece said Wheeler, who has acted for nearly 50 years, brings a level of experience to the stage.

“I enjoy working with someone who has been acting so long — so much of acting is experience,” he said.

Both Whitnah and Vece are graduating this spring, and “She Loves Me” is Vece’s senior project.

“There was a role that was perfect for him — but he still had to audition,” Wheeler said with a smile.

Shows

“She Loves Me” was scheduled late into the school year, so Wheeler had to work around other events already planned at EOU. The 10 performances are spread over three weekends, and times vary from past shows.

The first weekend of performances is May 23 (7 p.m.), May 24 (4 p.m.) and May 25 (2 p.m.). Additional shows are May 31 at 7 p.m. and June 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. The final chance to see the musical is 7 p.m. June 6 and 7, and June 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are $15 general, $10 for seniors/military and free for EOU students with an ID. Advance tickets can be purchased at eou.edu/theatre or by calling 541-962-3757. The theater is limited to 95 seats and advance tickets are encouraged, although Wheeler said some may be available at the door.

‘She Loves Me’

Shows are at Schwarz Theater in Loso Hall at Eastern Oregon University. Tickets are $15, $10 seniors/military and free for EOU students with an ID.

May 23: 7 p.m.

May 24: 4 p.m.

May 25: 2 p.m.

May 31: 7 p.m.

June 1: 2 p.m., 7 p.m.

June 6 & 7: 7 p.m.

June 8: 2 p.m., 7 p.m.