CSULB Online 49er: v9n106: "I love you" paints a perfect picture

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"I love you" paints a perfect picture

By Alisha Gomez
On-line Forty-Niner

First dates, especially blind dates, can be such a nerve-wracking part of life, which is exactly how the first half of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" portrays the vicious circle of dating.

Set around a stage with a big heart, similar to something a dating game show would have, each skit in the first half covers topics that people deal with when it comes to dating: primping, polite conversation, rejection -- the usual.

The opening of the musical begins with two guys and two girls singing "Cantata for a First Date."

Stan Chandler and Lance Roberts sang together about all the money spent and the possibility of getting lucky while Susan Hoffman and Tami Tappan Damiano sang about all the time it took to do hair and makeup and choosing an outfit. All four performers rip off their ropes, which they used to announce God's purpose for men and women. Each actor is in his or her lingerie. At this moment, many murmurs and whispers were heard. Later in the musical, the audience forgot their shock and enjoyed the show.

A take on dating, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" displays the very true aspects of dating in a humorous light. What guys think are ridiculous about women is contrasted with women's thoughts on absurd behavior from guys.

Jacoby and Meyers made a special appearance in the musical when two lovers are having problems with sex. The woman was not satisfied and neither was the man, and a Jacoby and Meyers lawyer (played by Lance Roberts) appears in the lovers' bedroom offering the idea of a lawsuit to get sexual satisfaction. Everyone was delighted with this notion.

The second half presents ideas on marriage. Audience members see a different side to the thought of a happily-ever-after fairy tale. The once love sick couple becomes a sex-derived, baby-talking, frazzled pair that barely has time to talk to one another unless it is about the kids, the laundry or other errands.

There are about nine skits in the marriage half. Although the side of marriage they present is a bit dreary, older audience members were in hysterics over the material.

Single people will love the dating skits as well as couples, who will enjoy both halves, and married people will get a kick out of the second half of the musical.

All actors rang songs out with beautiful voices, especially Tami Tappan Damiano, who sang a beautiful solo, "I Will Be Loved Tonight," and wooed the audience with her melodic sound.

Piano and violin music accompanied the musical. The pianist, Diane King Vann, who is also the musical director, played beautifully with violinist Etsuo Ejiri, who did a mini solo and serenaded the audience with his talent.

Audience members will be left with a humorous note on marriage and dating. From what I saw, everyone really enjoyed the outstanding performance the cast put on. Some gave a standing ovation. The cast and crew did a great job and the musical was extremely entertaining and very funny.

The show will continue to play through May 5 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. If you are at a loss of creative date ideas or have a group of friends to go with, this musical will provide your amusement.

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