Couplehood is a prime target for ridicule and mockery. It's the perfect subject for an intimate evening of comic cabaret theatre. There's no end to the songs and skits that can be done about such things as first dates, breaking up, wedding days, and first-time parents. In this way, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! is very similar to the production of Personals that ran in the valley during the '97/'98 season. It has its funny moments and cutesy songs, but while it hits the mark on many occasions, there's nothing here that will keep these songs and skits memorable. In fact, the only things that are truly memorable about Phoenix Theatre's production are the four great performances from the talented local ensemble, and the myriad of references to a local bar, restaurant, radio station, and jewelry store who have paid for the stage equivalent of product placement. Director Randy Wojcik and Producer Michael Barnard have created a strong show and a pandering effort all at once, and that's exactly what the material deserves.
The talented cast of Ben Brittain, Kristen Drathman, Rusty Ferracane, and Stephanie Likes are sent careening into each other in their pursuit of or dealing with coupledom. The funnier bits include the lament of what women have to listen to coming out of the mouths of men, a musical extravaganza from a woman who actually receives a phone call on the night the guy promised, and the tango of a married couple eagerly anticipating the rare enjoyment of sex they are about to have. My personal favorite is the lament of parents Mr. Ferracane and Ms. Drathman to their son and his steady girlfriend upon their breaking up as done in a very funny 50's style song, and not just because I heard a version of this song from my own parents the weekend before. It is these bits and others that keep the audience smiling and laughing, even as a great many of the songs are only marginal, and the sketches filled with oft-heard clichés.
Mr. Wojcik keeps the pacing brisk and the stage pictures amusing, transforming the Phoenix Theatre stage into an intimate enough space for the necessary cabaret feel of the production. He has also cast the show perfectly. The singing and acting talent on the stage brings life to the work.
The most impressive performance comes from Ms. Drathman. This is a breakout role for her that allows her to highlight her strong voice, great range, and comedic timing. She moves between bored date, angry mother, and aging widow easily, all the while blowing the audience away with her singing. Ninety percent of the buzz on which I eavesdropped during intermission was about her, and rightly so. That's not to say that the rest aren't at their best. Mr. Ferracane is hilarious, believable, and musically impressive. Mr. Brittain is his usual cute and endearing self, while Ms. Likes offers an even greater acting range than we've seen before, imbuing her many characters with sweetness and barbs.
Richard Farlow's set design is mixed. While his creation aids in the intimate feel of the show, especially through the use of the revolve that allows moving the limited set pieces on and off quickly, the wall behind is inexplicably and probably unintentionally made to look like a basketball court. More consistent is Paul Black's lighting, which adds to the intimacy of the evening. David Temby's sound design is handled well, with only a few mistakes on opening night, while Elizabeth Ihlenfeld's costumes peg character perfectly.
As far as fluff goes, this is well-produced cotton candy. The opening night audience laughed heartily throughout, and gave it a standing ovation. The response has been so positive, PT has already added an extra week to the run. For an evening's escape from high temperatures and workweek doldrums, this is an excellent choice. As an arena to highlight four talented performers, this is the place to realize the depth of the Phoenix talent pool.
Production Details:
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change! Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro, Music by Jimmy
Roberts
Phoenix Theatre, Phoenix (For
a map to location, click this
link)
(602) 254-2151
May 11th - June 3rd, 2001