Laguna Beach, CA's Laguna Playhouse is mounting the Off-Broadway musical revue, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, opening Nov. 4 and running through Nov. 30.
On Aug. 1, the revue about singlehood and coupledom reached its one year anniversary at Off-Broadway's Westside Theatre, with Oct. 12 marking the show's 500th performance. Still in an open run in NY, Perfect/Change is the longest-running show ever at the Westside Theatre.
Asked why Perfect/Change has remained a strong seller while other productions have fallen by the wayside, NY production spokesperson Jim Randolph said, "It's the ultimate date musical. Couples young and old can find things to relate to in the piece, as it ranges from having a baby to old age. There's even a pick-up at a funeral. It's a show for lovers of all ages."
Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts' songs, including "Cantata For A First Date," "Tear Jerk," "A Stud And A Babe," and "I Can Live With That," are available on the show's original cast recording on Varese/Sarabande. Neil Peter Jampolis has designed the Perfect/Change scenery at Laguna, just as he did with the New York set. At Laguna, Dwight Richard Odle is the costume designer, with Diane King Vann serving as musical director.
The show's original director, Joel Bishoff, again does the honors -- as he has at NJ's American Stage, NJ's Long Wharf and in Toronto. He's also served as associate director on the national tours of My Fair Lady and The King And I (with Stacy Keach). On April 22, Di Pietro received the New Voices In American Theatre Award, given by the William Inge Theatre Festival in Independence, KS. He took the honor as an outstanding newcomer to the field.
For tickets and information on I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at Laguna Playhouse call (714)497-ARTS. For information on the Westside Theatre, NYC, production call (212) 239-6200.
Perfect/Change is the second show of Laguna's season, following Travels With My Aunt. Coming up:
The Boise Club, a world premiere comedy by Bernard Baldan (Jan. 6 Feb. 1, 1998. Directed by Doug Jacobs, co-founder of San Diego Rep, Boise follows a bunch of middle-aged guys forming a self-help group to discover "what makes men tick."
Inside Out, a revised version of the 1989 musical Roleplay, about six women in group therapy. Doug Haverty & Adryan Russ' show has been "completely revamped" and will be staged by Jules Aaron, March 3 29, 1998.
Laughter On The 23rd Floor, Neil Simon's valentine to his days working for TV's "Your Show Of Shows." This 1993 Broadway comedy will be directed by Laguna artistic director Andrew Barnicle, May 5-31, 1998.
Laguna will also offer the special holiday show, A Child's Christmas In Wales (Dec. 9-24), and three more plays in its Youth Theatre series: The House At Pooh Corner (Feb. 13-22, 1998), Tuck Everlasting (April 17-26, 1998) and You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown (June 12 21, 1998).
Performances at The Laguna Playhouse, dubbed "the West Coast's oldest theatre company," take place at the Moulton Theatre in downtown Laguna Beach. The theatre was founded in 1920 when a group of Laguna Beach citizens met in a living room to establish a local theatre. They began with readings and performances in private homes and storefronts, and in 1924 built the first venue (with $5,000). The Moulton space was constructed in 1965.
For information on Laguna Playhouse call (714) 497-ARTS or check out the theatre's website at http://www.ocartsnet.org/laguna_playhouse.
-- By David Lefkowitz
