Review: I LOVE YOU YOU'RE PERFECT NOW CHANGE at Hamilton Stage is Poignant and Humorous

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is being performed on the Hamilton Stage of Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC) through March 11th. The poignant, yet hilarious musical comedy has a book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. The show is directed and produced by Brian Remo and Jessica Foerst with musical direction by Alex Golden. Broadwayworld had the great pleasure of attending one of the opening weekend performances.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change portrays the ups and downs of modern relationships, from first date to fiftieth wedding anniversary and everything in between. Though the show first premiered Off-Broadway in 1996, it seems more relevant than ever in today's social media-driven world. The refreshing honesty about challenges to communication and companionship are both timeless and timely. There are mismatched dinner dates, family road trips, and crazily enough, finding love at funerals. There's something here for every stage of life, and each of the show's short scenes balances madcap humor with real compassion.

To bring its characters to life, the UCPAC performance relies on a talented and versatile six-person cast, Kelly Kline, Zachary Love, Erin O'Connor, Robert Snyder, Rachel Valovcin, and Jon Yearwood. The troupe switches effortlessly from role to role playing desperate daters, beleaguered parents, and lovable late-in-life couples with sincerity and conviction. As co-directors, UCPAC's own Brian Remo and Jessica Foerst achieve a production that excels in physical comedy but still has time for tender moments.

Songs such as "I Will Be Love Tonight" and "Shouldn't I Be Less in Love with You?" are among the most touching numbers. Here, they are executed beautifully, with a few subtle touches of lighting and one or two actors each. Vignette-style theater seldom gets more heartfelt, or more humorous than this.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is a show for couples and singles of all ages. Gather your group. It will be performed at the Union County Performing Arts Center's Hamilton Stage through March 11th.

Tickets for I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change are available for purchase at http://www.ucpac.org/ and may also be purchased in person by visiting the Main Stage Box Office located at 1601 Irving Street in Rahway, NJ. The Box Office can be reached by phone at 732.499.8226. The Hamilton Stage is located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway, NJ. The theatre has generous parking and it is easily accessed by public transportation.

Photo Credit: Rich Kowalski