As it did in March and last year, the Off-Broadway musical revue, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, is sponsoring a series of Authors' Evenings devoted to writers on the subject of dating and marriage.
Four evenings are scheduled in May:
May 5 (Brendan Baber, co-author of "A Guy's Guide To Dating,")
May 12 (Kate White, author of "9 Secrets Of Women Who Get Everything They Want")
May 19: (Jenny Lyn Bader, co-author of "He Meant, She Meant")
May 26: (Jenny Lombard, author of "How To Stay Single Forever")
The revue about singlehood and coupledom is gearing up for its second anniversary, Aug. 1, at Off-Broadway's Westside Theatre, and now has more than 700 performances under its belt. Still packing them in, 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."
Cheryl Stern recently succeeded Melissa Weil, one of the original cast members. Stern appeared Off-Broadway in That's Life as well as in national tours of A Grand Night for Singing, Evita and Les Miserables. Stern joins Adam Grupper and original cast-members Jennifer Simard and Robert Roznowski. Joel Bishoff directs, with Neil Peter Jampolis designing the set. Bishoff has also staged the show at NJ's American Stage, CT's Long Wharf, in Toronto, and on the West Coast. Previously, He served as associate director on the national tours of My Fair Lady and The King And I (with Stacy Keach).
Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts' songs in Perfect/Change, 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.
Apr. 22, 1997 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, 407 West 43rd St., call (212) 239-6200.
-- By David Lefkowitz
