‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ at SCPA

'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' at SCPA

A light-hearted evening of comedy and song, not to be missed





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June 04, 2009 | 11:10 AM
For a light-hearted evening of comedy, one need only go to Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts to see the hysterical hit musical, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" directed by Peter Mussared. This production explores the stereotypical male/female phenomenon of dating, marriage, in-laws, divorce and more. What makes audiences erupt in laughter is that anyone can find something in themselves, their past or present that they can find relatable.

Running Off-Broadway from 1996 until 2008, this musical sensation — with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts — has played over 4,500 performances surpassing such Broadway productions as "My Fair Lady," "Annie," "Oklahoma," "Grease" and "Man of La Mancha," to name a few. This is a show which pokes fun at the lies told during dating, and the outlandish pitfalls of finding that "right one."

The tongue-in-cheek humor is delightful and reminiscent for many of past experiences. It is brash and direct with no apology necessary. The reminders of what marriage means; that it is forever and ever and ever or that his or her family is now your family, is just a taste of the pearls of humorous wisdom this show offers.

The "wedding vows" number is a saucy reminder of everything that can go wrong in marriage and the audience roared with laughter. Of course, fast forward to parenthood when it turns your brain to mush and you are so sleep deprived that you have resigned to a flannel wardrobe and a preschool vocabulary. You will find this familiar phase of life among the hilarity of the show. As you take this comical journey of dysfunction between man and woman, it doesn't seem to be at all irreverent to find that in the winter of our lives looking for love at a funeral parlor isn't such a crazy idea. In fact, in this show, it becomes fertile ground to find that second-time love.

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Solid performances were delivered by the four person cast who take us on a wonderful and lively journey through the suburban mating game. Steve Corbellini takes us through the full range of bad dates playing the consummate dork and the attorney from Jacoby and Meyers and Masters and Johnson, advertising for services to represent clients who wish to sue partners for bad love making. It is the height of ridiculous which is what makes it so funny.

Christina D. handled the myriad of edgy personalities with great humor throughout while delivering strong vocals. Frankie Gabriel offered the most range in his character portrayals from that awkward guy with a hint of a Paul Lynde laugh to the serial murderer in jail who scares people straight into relationships with a heavy-handed style. In another scene he is authentically sickened by his now-married friend — with a baby — who speaks baby talk and plays with stuffed animals. He can't get out of there quick enough. Gabriel successfully injects a whole new persona into each of the numerous characters he portrays. His vocals were a standout with such amusing numbers as "Stud and a Babe".

Laura Meade delivered the widest range of emotions as she portrays the adorable tennis player who sheepishly describes how she "pummeled" her date in tennis. Meade runs the gamut from adorably funny to a soberingly compelling divorcee shooting a video-dating tape. Her comedic timing is brilliantly consistent, and her vocal range is beautifully engaging. She has a youthful effervescence which keeps your eyes drawn to her whenever she is on the stage.

I found the strength of the performances was not well served by the set design. It seemed busy and a bit distracting from the action happening on stage and I felt it pulled focus more than a few times. There was a lot there in the musical score and dialogue for the audience to enjoy that, visually, the backdrop seemed to be competing. The show may have been better served with a "less is more" approach. Between the busy visual backdrop and the musicians' placement up and center stage, I extend additional credit to the performances of the cast. That being said, music director Cara Dobie on keyboards made an outstanding choice of violinist Susan David to accompany her to create a full musical backdrop. It perfectly complemented the vocals.

The idiosyncratic ugly bridesmaid dress was also represented in this witty collection of relationship parody. Costume designer/director, Mussared pulled out all the stops with an outrageously gaudy bridesmaid's dress. D.'s performance of "Always a Bridesmaid" while wearing this garish dress was one of the show's many highlights.

This high-energy, musically packed evening of laughs is not to be missed. There is something in it for everyone. "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" will run through June 28. For tickets and information call 724-3700 or log onto www.smithtownpac.org.

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