GLENVIEW, IL—Although times were different when “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” first opened in 1996 Off-Broadway, and the dating game it depicted has since changed, romance is still very much the same. As the musical, now playing at the Oil Lamp Theater in Glenview, Illinois, demonstrates, love is timeless, still very funny, and oftentimes very poignant.
Of course, over the years a few changes have been made to the musical revue, such as the modern use of cell phones, texting, the Internet, and the style of clothing, but, no matter the time, human nature remains the same. Men and women are still motivated by love.
The revival of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” the first musical presented by Oil Lamp Theater, is as funny as its title suggests. The show doesn’t have a continuous plot but rather a series of vignettes that revolve around couples meeting, falling in love, getting married, and advancing to their senior years.
Directed by Jay Pastucha, with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts, the show tracks romance through the lives of many couples. From the anxiety of blind dates, to marriage, to parenting, and to the golden years (which can sometimes be less than golden), the show moves with fast-paced wit and charming humor.
A few of the scenes may seem a bit old fashioned, such as women complaining about the lack of single men, or the difficulties of taking vacations with energetic youngsters but, even when appearing dated, the scenes are still nostalgically laughable.
Character Changes
The musical comes across as a frothy, light-hearted romp, but that belies the challenge to its four-person ensemble who have to perform in a variety of parts. The performers have to act, sing, dance, and need plenty of energy to make fast turns from scene to scene. They need to change their costumes (courtesy of costume designer Andrés Mota), change the inflection of their voices, and change their style of moving (choreographed by Mary Iris Loncto) in order to transform from one character to another within minutes.There are four exceptional performers in the revue. They’re referred to as Woman #1, Woman #2, Man #1, and Man #2. That’s because the actors change so often that the audience might be confused by characters with over a dozen names.
As Woman #1, Sarah Obert demonstrates terrific comic timing as a shy young girl who wants to become more interesting to the opposite sex, a career-woman who isn’t interested in marriage, and a mother trying to keep everything together on a road trip. As Woman #2 Marina Magnelli is a hoot with characterizations that have her going from a kid in the back seat of a car during a road trip, to a hard-driven lawyer, and then to an elderly widow at a wake.
As Man #1 Adrian Thornburg has a powerful vocal presence singing “Shouldn’t I Be Less in Love With You” when he tells his wife how much he loves her. As Man #2 Jeffrey Charles is a riot as the macho guy on a date with a woman who wants him to share her appreciation for weepy, personal films, and to a harried driver of a family road trip.
An adorable show with lots of laughs, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” tackles many of the endearing and hilarious aspects of romance, but it also features some of its serious pitfalls, such as doubting oneself before a first date, the fear of being alone, the regret of not taking a chance, and the pain of trying to move on when love dies.
Although a terrific feel-good show, it isn’t really for kids. This is a production that’s more suitable for grown-ups and will be enjoyed by those who are dating or in romantic relationships, and married couples of any age.
