“She Loves Me,” the play that the movie “You’ve Got Mail” was based on, opens Friday at Renton Civc Theatre.

The play, by Joe Masteroff, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, runs through Dec. 21. It’s the story of two feuding European perfumery clerks, Georg and Amalia, during the 1930s. The two secretly find solace in their anonymous romantic pen pals, only to discover their respective correspondents are none other than each other.

Chris Nardine directs Renton Civic’s production of “She Loves Me.”

Nardine said the play “is an endearing romantic musical comedy that captured my heart 30 years ago when first I had the pleasure of working on it with my mentor and friend, Ron Daum.”

“In fact, I like it so much that I integrated much of his original production here at Renton Civic Theatre,” he said.

According to the director, the story has been told in many different versions as books, plays, musicals and movies. The storyline is a nice set-up for some comic circumstances and lovely music, Nardine said.

The cast that he’s pulled together really makes you believe, he said.

“She Loves Me” takes the stage 7:30 p.m., Thursdays; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m., Sunday, through Dec. 21. Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors.

For more information call the box office at 425-226-5529 or visit www.rentoncivictheatre.org.