Though titled I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, that Off Broadway musical needn't change a thing -- it reached its 300th performance at the Westside Theatre, April 20, and plans to continue indefinitely.
Fans of Perfect/Change will be happy to know the four-person company will perform selections from the show at the 53rd annual Theatre World Awards, May 29, at the Roundabout Theatre.
Asked why the show has remained a strong seller while other productions have fallen by the wayside, 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."
Meanwhile the musical is continuing its series of "Author's Evenings," which began Feb. 18. The idea is that since the musical revue, by composer Jimmy Roberts (A...My Name Is Still Alice) and lyricist/librettist Joe DiPietro (Over the River and Through the Woods) offers a satirical examination of "the last surviving special interest group in America: Hopeful Heterosexuals," a perfect tie-in would be to have best-selling authors of books devoted to dating and romance offer their expertise to audience members.
Champagne will be served before the show, and the authors will be in the lobby at intermission to mingle, chat and answer questions about finding and keeping love. The upcoming schedule features Comedy Central's Susan Shapiro, May 22; and author Sharyn Wolf ("Guerilla Dating Tactics"), May 27.
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After productions at Long Wharf and NJ's American Stage Company, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change opened Aug. 1, 1996 at the Westside Theatre on West 43rd St.
The musical, which is being produced by James Hammerstein, Bernie Kukoff and Jonathan Pollard, stars Danny Burstein (Company; Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh), Jennifer Simard, Robert Roznowski and Melissa Weil. Musical director is Tom Fay, sets are by Neil Peter Jampolis.
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 cast recording on Varese/Sarabande. Joel Bishoff directs the show, which has musical direction by Tom Fay and vocal/instrumental arrangements by composer Roberts. Sets are by Neil Peter Jampolis, lighting by Mary Louise Geiger, costumes by Candice Donnelly.
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 the Westside Theatre, call (212) 239-6200.
--By David Lefkowitz and Robert Viagas
