A special version of the show's final (and title) song was staged by the show's author, Joe DiPietro. When the current cast — of Adam Arian, Anne Bobby, Ron Bohmer and Amy White — began the tune's lyric, "Keep coming back," members of the original 1996 cast members entered onto the stage and joined in. The crowd greeted this with applause as more and more former cast members entered as the number continued. By the end, more than 20 actors filled the stage singing "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change!"
Among the past employees who returned were Jordan Leeds, Jennifer Simard, Kevin Pariseau, Lori Hammel, Darrin Baker, Jamie LaVerdiere, Erin Leigh Peck and Charlie Pollack.
The evening concluded as DiPietro and collaborating composer Jimmy Roberts took to the boards to thank all the people who helped to make their long-running show continue its life Off-Broadway.
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New York City's West 43rd Street — where the musical plays — was renamed "I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change Way" in honor of the anniversary. The cast were on hand at 6 PM in front of the Westside Theatre, at 407 West 43rd Street, to unveil the new street sign boasting the (albeit lengthy) title. James Hammerstein Productions, Bernie Kukoff and Jonathan Pollard produce the work directed by Joel Bishoff which just reached its 4,000th performance March 14.
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change features music by Jimmy Roberts with a book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro. The musical comedy that delves into the world of dating, love and marriage is the longest-running musical revue in New York history, having broken the record set by Smokey Joe's Cafe.
The scenes-and-songs show has enjoyed success throughout the world, having opened in over 300 different cities including Los Angeles, Boston, San Francisco, Toronto, Chicago, London, Tel Aviv, Mexico City, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Budapest, Sydney, Prague, Seoul, Milan, Rio de Janeiro and Johannesburg.
Tickets to I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at The Westside Theatre, 407 West 43 Street (between Ninth and Tenth Ave.) can be purchased by calling (212) 239-6200. For more information, visit www.loveperfectchange.com.
