The View By P.A. Meadows
When I asked my friend if she would like to go see a musical called, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," she burst out laughing or five minutes and said, "of course you thought of ME, and you are right. It sounds like my kind of deal!" Actually, this frankly titled musical revue about the quest, joys, and un-pleasantries of dating, falling in love, weddings, and marriage is drawing quite a few burst of laughter from knowing audience members. There are those too who are squirming quietly, while their faces turn red, holding back chuckles of germane exposure. " I Love You.." explores the progression of men and women's love relationships from the first date, through single life, and falling in love to the wedding in Act One, then in Act Two they take aim at the joys and pains of marriage, parenthood, divorce, video-dating, then proceeding audaciously through to picking up a widow at a funeral. This exceptional Musical Theatre West production is so perfect, you'll love it. The cast of four very strong singers and actors, plus two on-stage musicians, is outstanding. Lance Roberts is hilarious in every one of his scenes. In one scene he is a 'tough guy' reduced to tears when seeing a "chick flick" to patronize his date. In another he plays an inmate serving seven life sentences, and is single - go figure. Locked up for becoming so annoyed with so couples acting happy and calling each other "sweetie, and pumpkin," that he just had to blow them all away. Now, counseling overly cautious singles, they become " scared straight to the alter." Susan Hoffman shows forms herself from a happily single though hideously dressed bridesmaid to a prudish, aging widow. Tami Tappan Damiano makes us laugh hysterically as a censuring parent of a too long single son, then later comically spill s her guts on a date video until depressing herself and reducing us to tears while sharing about her divorce in a remarkable performance. Stan Chandler's wide range of characters were outrageously funny. One of the funniest moments was when he strutted about flesing his muscles beneath his polyester disco shirt, brown bellbottom pants, and glassed repaired with masking tape. Chandler also shined sweetly singing "Shouldn't I Be Less in Love With You?," in the show's touching scene about a couple married for thirty years. The set design by Kevin Clowes ( also Technical Director), and lighting design by Jacqui Jones Watson are also perfect. "I Love You..." is a perfect, and lighthearted show to take a date to. This kiss-and-tell of those secrets couples don't normally share but most will recognize is wildly fun, and brilliantly performed. I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE - The Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St. at the CSULB campus. April 20, 25, 26, 27, May 2, 3, 4 - 8PM ; April 28 - 7PM; April 24, 27, 28, May 4, 5 - 2PM. Tickets $20-$45 (Rush tickets for Students, Seniors, and Public) For tickets: (562) 430-2324; web at www.musical.org