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I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
(www.loveperfectchange.com)
At the
Westside Theatre
Upstairs
407 West 43rd Street
212.239.6200
Book and Lyrics by Joe DiPietro
Music by Jimmy Roberts
Starring: Jordan Leeds, Sandy Rustin,
Janet Metz, Kevin Pariseau
Musicians: Mat Eisenstein, Pianist, Patti Ditzel, Violinist
Directed by Joel Bishoff
Music Director: Mat Eisenstein
Vocal and Instrumental Arrangements: Jimmy Roberts
Scenic and Lighting Design: Neil Peter Jampolis
Costume Design: Pamela Scofield
Sound Design: Duncan Edwards
Casting: Stuart Howard & Amy Schecter, CSA
Associate Producer: Matt Garfield
General Manager: Nancy Nagel Gibbs
Production Stage Manager: William H. Lang
Press: Bill Evans & Associates
BE4444@aol.com
Producers: James Hammerstein, Bernie Kukoff, Jonathan Pollard
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
April 19, 2004 (See April 10, 2004 Review). Tonight’s four-actor cast was slightly different from the April 10 review, as Jordan Leeds returned in his role that had been filled by Kevin Pariseau, and Kevin Pariseau this time substituted for Colin Stokes. The mix of characters and scenes was just as hilarious and engaging, with witticisms and split-timing jokes and songs. The fast-paced acting and stage changes were even more apparent on second viewing. Every moment was filled with one of the almost 20 different scenes and songs, with props and costumes and accents/affectations that perfectly charm and rivet the audience. We all need humor these days, and the Westside Theatre is the place to find it!
In A Stud and a Babe, a restaurant scene, Kevin replaced Colin as the wimpy, buy yearning soon-to-be lover, and, in colorful polyester, he was endearing and effective. In Tear Jerk, a movie audience scene, Jordan was mesmerizing as the boyfriend reduced to crying at a girls’ flick. Kevin sang Shouldn’t I Be Less In Love with You?, a breakfast scene, with pathos and sensitivity, singing Colin’s solo, and Jordan, in the funeral parlor scene, sang I Can Live with That with strong presence. Sandy Rustin and Janet Metz, in their own, original roles, were just as virtuosic and vivacious as in the first review, maybe even more powerful, as this was a Monday night, not a weekend matinee, and the audience was local and hip. Sandy’s He Called Me and Janet’s Always a Bridesmaid were both extremely well received and sung with gusto and emotion.
I recommend I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change as a powerful antidote to current news and events that depress and bring one down. This show lifts its audience up, night after night, year after year. May it go on forever! Look at Off-Broadway listings, or call 212.239.6200 to order tickets. You will leave the theater smiling!
Kevin Pariseau and Guest, Carlos Salvador
Carlos Salvador and Jordan Leeds
Jordan Leeds, Carlos Salvador, Sandy Rustin, Janet Metz
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