Review: I LOVE YOU BECAUSE at Oil Lamp Theater
This rom-com on modern dating runs through September 13th
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Oil Lamp Theater is putting the spotlight on the woes of modern dating in its latest production of I Love You Because, directed by Scott Shallenbarger and music directed by Aaron Kahn. With book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, music by Joshua Salzman, and orchestrations by Larry Hochman, the difficulties of relationships, heartbreak, and dating from this 2026 Off-Broadway show still cut deep in 2026.
The story is inspired by Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice,” and the most apparent tribute is in the character names. Austin Bennet (Freddy Mauricio, understudy for the role normally played by Aiden McCoy) discovers his girlfriend Catherine cheating on him. His brother, Jeff Bennet (Maxwell J DeTogne), suggests Austin win Catherine back by acting indifferent and going on dates. The brothers go on a double date with Marcy Fitzwilliams (Hannah Kipp) and Diana Bingley (Kristin Brintnall), best friends and roommates. Marcy is also trying to get over a recent breakup, and while Diana and Jeff hit it off instantly, Austin can’t stop himself from talking about Catherine. So begins two separate love stories — one where Diana and Jeff are friends with benefits and Marcy tries to help Austin win Catherine back with poems, only for them to fall in love with each other.
Marcy is free-spirited and adventurous, while Austin is reserved and rigid, bringing the opposites attract trope to the stage. Kipp shines as Marcy with a soprano voice and natural easy-going delivery of all her jokes and dialogue. Diana is a bold and confident wingwoman, and Brintnall's technical sequence in “The Actuary Song” brings both impressive executive and relatable humor to all the variables that go into calculating Rebound Time and Adjusted Relationship Length. As Jeff, DeTogne brings goofy puppy energy to the stage. As he mixes his metaphors in his constant one-liners and approaches life with a simple ease that only a man can, he nails his role as the faithful jester sidekick archetype, as well as the panic of someone who is scared to move beyond casual. Mauricio succeeds in capturing the desperation of a man who can’t move on in “But I Don’t Want to Talk About Her” and plays off of Kipp well in that number. While he has his moments of vulnerable acting and belting the notes that matter, Mauricio unfortunately falls flat as Austin at certain points in the performance, especially in his solo numbers and when paired with Kipp's strong voice.
The couples frequent some regular spots, namely a coffee shop and a bar, and interact with some recurring characters, represented by NYC Woman (Nikki Holladay, understudy for the role normally played by Daria Koon) and NYC Man (Tommy Rothwells). NYC Woman and NYC Man feel like a Greek Chorus, observing all the hustle and bustle of New York City, knowing when to expect the heartbreak crowd, and reminiscing on their own tales of lost love.
With minimal props and an unchanging set, Bob Knuth’s scenic design is cute and visually appealing, with pastel cubes on the sides, business logos and apartment markers that help us keep track of where we are in any given scene, and lights that change at the snap of the finger from NYC Woman and Man. Music Director Aaron Kahn plays the keyboard behind the countertop, playing the songs that are light and pleasant and fun but ultimately won't have you leaving the theater humming them. That sole accompaniment actually works well for the intimate, long space of the Oil Lamp Theater where the actors don’t use mics but can still be heard clearly.
Some of the writing has aged poorly from when it was written in 2006, namely a line about a woman’s body count in “The Actuary Song”, the scene in a Chinese restaurant, and seemingly out-of-the-blue jabs at Marcy being liberal and Austin being a Republican. In terms of character development, it feels like the women are settling for the men, which is also unfortunately all too relatable. The whole premise is based on the fact that the “right” person for you might not exist in the first place and the “wrong” person could end up being the one. The framing of saying “I love you because” instead of “I love you anyway” when it comes to your partner’s shortcomings and ways you both are different is a healthy framing, but the script doesn’t really convince us of why these couples actually like each other, particularly with Austin and Marcy. But, maybe that’s just how relationships and feelings go — there is no perfect script to describe what you know is just right.
I Love You Because is your typical rom-com with cute duets, silly jokes, and flawed characters that showcase exactly how love can be messy. It’s a delightful story that will make you feel good, no matter where you are in your own relationship journey.
I Love You Because is now playing through September 13 at Oil Lamp Theater (1723 Glenview Road). Tickets are $55.
Photo credit: Gosia Matuszewska/Gosia Photography
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