Review: 'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change' at CCT

BERLIN, CT - Connecticut Cabaret Theatre and Performing Arts Center opened I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE on Friday evening to the usual packed opening night audience. The CCT produced this fun show ten years ago and decided to bring it back for those who remember the previous production and many new audience members. The opening night audience loved it.

The book and lyrics for the show were written by the talented Joe DiPietro with music by Jimmy Roberts. The CCT production is directed and produced by Kris McMurray with musical direction by TJ Thompson.

I LOVE YOU...is a musical that celebrates the mating game, taking on the truth and myths of human relationships. Act I explores the journey from dating and “Waiting” to love. After the first acts ends with marriage, Act II moves on to the agonies of in-laws and newborns and car trips with the family and everything ends with pick-up techniques for those in their golden years. The show is a hilarious revue that pays tribute to those who have loved and lost, those who have struggled with the prospect of a new relationship and to those who have dared to ask, 'Say, what are you doing Saturday night?'

So the scenes in this fast paced musical take the audience on a tour of first dates (Not Tonight, Busy, Busy, Busy,) breaking up (And Now the Parents,) getting back together, marriage, babies, hysterical family road trips and even Funerals are for Dating. There were a few bad words throughout the scenes but it was all in good fun. Most of the vignettes poke fun at relationships and kept the audience laughing, but there are a few that tug surprising hard at the heartstrings.

The terrifically talented cast of four move easily through the quick changes required for the large number of characters; they all look and sound great while doing so. Mr. Thompson made sure that they are in perfect harmony at all times.

Nick D’Angelo (THE RAT PACK LOUNGE) appears in his fourth CCT show; this talented singer with a great stage presence made his mark in all of his scenes. Jon Escobar (THE FANTASTICKS, THE RAT PACK LOUNGE, THE ADDAMS FAMILY, MY WAY) shines in every show that I have seen him in at CCT and this was no exception. His finest moments were “Shouldn’t I Be Less In Love With You?” and when he aged up to a Jewish senior citizen to sing “I Can Live With That” And don’t miss him as a female prisoner counseling singles afraid to mary in Scared Straight.

As for the ladies, Kristin Iovene (GOING TO THE CHAPEL, THE QUEEN BEES, VANITIES, RAT PACK LOUNGE) is back on the CCT stage, right where she belongs. She was a joy in “Always a Bridesmaid” and touched our hearts in “I Can Live with That.”

Cristin Marshall made her CCT debut in I LOVE YOU...and nailed every move and note. She was able to shine with “He Called Me,” The Very First Dating Video of Rose Ritz and “I Will Be Loved Tonight.” Ms. Marshall holds a MA in Music Education and teaches general music at Center School in Litchfield and her Warner Theater credits include JOSEPH, GREASE and ANYTHING GOES. She first met alternate pianist CJ Janis when they appeared in RAGTIME together at the Warner.

James J. Moran is back behind the boards as technical director and also serves as stage manager. The wigs that he collected for this show were especially well-done and the many costume changes were fast and furious.

On opening night, CJ Janis covered the piano for the music director TJ Thompson and as his mom, I am probably biased when I try to critique his performance. I thought he did a great job with the often challenging score and blended very well with Jean Conners on violin. At one point on opening night, the cast members had trouble hearing their cue over the laughter of the audience (certainly understandable on their first time with an audience) and the musicians and the cast members quickly recovered very professionally. Yes, I am a proud mother.

All of the ladies in the audience on opening night were presented with a carnation in honor of Mother’s Day Weekend. Special Mother’s Day Offer at Connecticut Cabaret Theatre - https://mailchi.mp/…/special-mothers-day-offer-at-connectic…
Book your tickets for either May 10th or May 11 and use promo code MOTHERS DAY. Receive a special gift. Call Today 860-829-1248

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.