Theater Review: “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change" at SHU

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The students in the Performing Arts Theatre Arts Program at Sacred Heart University have chosen to present one of my favorite little musicals, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” The musical, with a hysterical book and lyrics by Joe DePietro and music by Jimmy Roberts, has been revised for the 21st century. The longest -running Off-Broadway revue in history continues in The Little Theatre black box on the Sacred Heart campus in Fairfield through Feb. 19.

“I Love You…” is a celebration of the mating game that takes on the truths and myths behind the contemporary conundrum known as ‘“the relationship.” Act I of the musical explores the journey from dating and waiting to love and marriage, and then Act II reveals the agonies and triumphs of in-laws and newborns, hilarious trips in the family car, and ending with poignant pick-up techniques of the geriatric set. The 2018 version of the musical features two new songs, revised lyrics and dialogue throughout the show designed to reflect dating in modern times.

Justin Zenchuk makes an impressive directorial debut in the Little Theatre at Sacred Heart and directs the students with a keen eye to all of the comedy in the script. Zenchuk works on campus as the Director of Performing Arts Recruitment and Retention and has been a director, choreographer, lighting designer and actor at Center Stage Theatre in Shelton for 17 years.

The director was a delight as the Ghost of Christmas Present in the recent Theatre Arts Program production of “A Christmas Carol.” Zunchuk was assisted by senior media arts major Zack Gaiero.

Leo Carusone, the Director of Theatre at Sacred Heart, served as musical director and Tom Morris is amazing as he plays the score on a small piano. Senior Kimmy Johnson and Hadley Bansal, a junior, were co-producers of the show.

Every one of the students in this cast of four bring so much talent to their performances. All of them have impressive singing voices that blend beautifully for the harmonies in the score and display great comic timing.

Christopher Conte (Man #1) has such charm onstage. The junior strategic communications and theater arts double major appeared in (title of show) as Jeff and “A Chorus Line” as Mark. Paul Keegan, a senior media arts/theater arts double major, shines in all of the comedic aspects of the role of Man #2.

Grace Kelly Kretzmer makes her Little Theatre debut as Woman #2 and sings really well. Julianna Rezza, a senior double major in biology and theater arts with a minor in writing, makes the most of her role as Woman #1. Her soprano voice shines in “I Will Be Loved.” Her SHU credits include Abigail Williams in “The Crucible” and Diana Morales in “A Chorus Line.”

Kiley Ondash, a sophomore who performed as Susan in (title of show), was in charge of the flattering hair and makeup design. Marykate Kiley has costumed 11 previous productions and does fine work with the basic black foundations accented with colorful add-on pieces. Since Kiley is a senior nursing major with theater and honors minors, this will mark her final Little Theatre production. Freshman Sage Sperling was assistant costume designer.

The set includes four white doors for each of the cast members, each lit with their personal color.

Nora Serrao, who also worked on (title of show), showed off her lighting design skills in this production. Sam Deluise was lighting advisor. Matt Cordova gets the credit for designing the delightful collection of props. Cordova was the sound designer for “A Christmas Carol.”

On opening night it was great to see a multi-generational audience, and the strong support of the university students was fun to experience. The young adults genuinely enjoyed the show as they came out in impressive numbers to see the performances of their classmates

There are many four-letter words in the script and some sexual innuendo. The performance is presented with one ten-minute intermission. Tickets online at edgertoncenter.org, at the Edgerton Center Box Office in person Monday- Friday, 12-4, or on the phone at (203)371-7908

The Little Theatre is located on the Sacred Heart campus at 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield.

Nancy Sasso Janis, writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, posts well over 100 reviews each year. In 2016, her membership in the Connecticut Critics Circle began and her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted not only in the Naugatuck Patch but also on the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper.

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