Theater Review: 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' at Castle Craig Players

Review by Connecticut Critics Circle member and Naugatuck Patch neighbor Nancy Sasso Janis

Castle Craig Players has brought the wonderful Joe DiPietro comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” to its intimate stage in a converted storefront in downtown Meriden. Castle Craig has been producing live theater in the downtown area since 1992. This show holds the title of the second-longest running Off-Broadway musical.

“I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change” is presented in the form of a series of vignettes connected by the central theme of love and relationships. The scenes progress more or less in an overall arc of romantic relationships throughout a lifetime. The play's cheeky tagline is "Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit."

The well-constructed musical features a book and lyrics by DiPietro and sly music by Jimmy Roberts, who also produced the vocal and instrumental arrangements. The vignettes move along a pretty quick clip and all are very funny. There are a couple of poignant moments thrown in for good measure, especially with the senior couple in “I Can Live With That.”

Ian Galligan is blessed with a wonderful cast to bring to life a show in which he once appeared. He directs the show with a keen eye to the comedy and the flow of traffic. Galligan currently works on the Marketing team at Goodspeed Musicals and holds a degree in Directing from Pace University.

Olivia DeFilippo works as assistant director and stage manager.Jill Brunelle (“Little Women”) serves as musical director, conducting from behind the keyboard. Marika Basagoitia performs on violin, adding the perfect touch to the score.

The Castle Craig cast consists of four supremely talented performers to play the numbered roles.

Rick Fountain is Man 2 in his Castle Craig debut. It is easy to see that the West Hartford resident has been performing in theater and cabaret in CT for more than 35 years, for Fountain is a true song and dance man. His great singing voice is on display in his roles, as is his admirable comic timing. I smiled every time he entered in a new costume/character and delighted in every character. He gets to show another side in the charming “Shouldn’t I Be Less in Love With You.”

Emily Gant takes on all of the roles covered by Woman 1 in her Castle Craig debut. Gant is a graduate of Auburn University and portrayed Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors.” She has a lovely stage presence and sings perfectly. She shines in her solo “I Will Be Loved Tonight.”

Cindy Lesser plays the roles of Woman 2 and does wonderful work with all of them. She brings a great country accent to her performance of “Always a Bridesmaid” in the second act. Lesser has played various roles in “Forbidden Broadway” as well as Mother in “Ragtime.” She also appeared as Rona Lisa in “Spelling Bee.” She directs children’s theater at the elementary school where she teaches reading.

Henry Tobelman tackles all of the roles assigned to Man 1 as he returns to the Castle Craig Players stage. He gets to lead the cast in the hysterical travel song “On the Highway of Love,” which is probably my favorite vignette. He previously appeared as Georg in “Spring Awakening,” Jinx in “Forever Plaid,” and Baker in “Into the Woods.” Tobelman also took on the role of Judas in the Spotlight Stage Company production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.” He writes in his bio that “Sometimes it’s like finding a family and this is one of those times! He hopes that feeling is infectious and every audience member feels as much a part of this family as he does.”

Larry Klein has designed a set of walls with painted primary-color boxes, evoking the era of the modish seventies for me. Two curtained doorways allow for the movement of set pieces.

The lightning design by Board Operator Ethan Warner-Crane helped to delineate the scenes. Martha Singer was the wardrobe supervisor of the multitude of costume changes that the script requires. The cast appears in a completely new outfit for each character that they play; one cannot fathom how the actors manage to pull off the nonstop quick changes in a timely fashion.

There are also a multitude of necessary props that must be carefully managed to make each scene work, and the cast members are also responsible for the set changes.

Listen for the songs that mention love before the curtain and during intermission.

Kudos to the co-producers Little Man Productions/Melanie for bringing this beloved show to the stage. Fans of “I Love You…” won’t want to miss this great production,

The script does contain some strong language and sexual innuendo. It is presented with one 15-minute intermission. “I Love You…” continues through March 15, but seating is very limited for the remaining performances. Try your luck at https://bit.ly/3Bg4Y3x