By Fran Syverson
What better time than Valentine’s month to see “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change?” Whether you are in the exquisite, agonizing throes of first love … or about to march down the aisle … or basking in the amber glow of decades together, you will relate to this satiric musical.
Two men and two women take us on a rollercoaster ride portraying 50 characters in vignettes of date-and-mate relationships from teens’ first shy attempts to late-in-life loves. Their nearly two dozen songs range from “A Stud and a Babe” to “Always a Bridesmaid” to “Shouldn’t I Be Less in Love With You?”
The four actors are simply Woman 1 (Mirai Booth-Ong), Woman 2 (Gloria Bennett), Man 1 (Troy Guthrie), and Man 2 (Jack J. Bennett). Each takes on a new persona as they play their dozen or so roles. Quick-change artists? Count on that, in both their costumes and their characterizations! With a twist of a hairdo, a svelte gown vs. a frumpy robe; a nuanced change in body language; a sloppy t-shirt vs. a natty jacket – they each become another person.
And the subtleties of facial expressions are joys to watch – a leer, a seductive smile, a frowning uncertainty … all four actors are in top form, just as they are with their singing. They project nicely in the small Fremont Theatre, so the audience truly hears both the brief narratives and the songs. Yukiko Elegino complements the lyrics with her piano accompaniment.
Staging is basic – a couple of clothes racks for the quick-change garments, tables, a backdrop of red and white paper valentines. But that is all that is needed.
The title “I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change” implies mature relationships of both loving and cynical aspects. Mostly you will be laughing at the love dilemmas’ hilarity, but poignant moments may find you with a tear or two in your eye.
By its very nature, the play is for adults. So we must include the caveat that ribald humor flavors a couple of the songs (still, you have likely seen racier scenes on primetime television). But, for the faint of sensitivities, be warned.
The actors play multiple roles offstage, too. The above-mentioned Jack and Gloria Bennett and Booth-Ong are credited with set design, choreography, and musical direction. The rolling tables are by David Alan Smith. Cody Sullivan and Matthew Golden are stage managers.
“I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change” premiered in New York in 1996 and is noted for being the second-longest running Off-Broadway musical, with 5,003 performances! Here in South Pasadena it is presented by Young Stars Theatre.
Time is fleeting, for you have only February in which to see the show. One must capture romance when it appears! So the Fremont has arranged a Valentine’s Day special for couples on Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. for $55, and $45 for senior couples, including a complimentary glass of wine.
Sunday matinees on Feb. 21 and 28 are at 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m. The Fremont Centre Theatre is at 1000 Fremont Ave. Tickets are $30 general, $25 for seniors (the play is not recommended for children). For reservations, go to www.fremontcentretheatre.com. Free parking is available on streets or behind the theatre.
