BWW Reviews: I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE Makes For Perfect Date Night

It may describe the show's hilarious contents perfectly, but the title of Cosmopolitan Cabaret's current revue-style musical, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," did not quite fit the sentiment of California Musical Theatre's audience opening night. Sure, the audience loved it. Yes, their giant grins made it clear the show was perfect. But why would anyone want to change such a well-cast show?

Director Glenn Casale's staging of the popular off-Broadway musical deserves kudos for its ability to keep viewers thoroughly entertained despite its having no solid story line. Instead, four actors act out several mini stories, making regular quick costume changes and never failing to show off their fantastic vocal capabilities.   

While the majority of the show focuses on laughable moments found within dating, marriage, and all those other battle of the sexes situations, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" still manages to fit in a few touching, tear jerking moments – mind you, one of those tears might be shed for the fallen pride of the male sex.  The musical does treat females a bit kinder, but at no loss for well-known jokes aimed at the woman who shops too much while her husband holds the bags or the overprotective new mother who makes her husband a bit less "manly."  

And there are plenty of other uproarious sketches performed with enthusiasm and energy by Michael Dotson, Jerry Lee, Jennifer Malenke, and Melissa WolfKlain – all too talented for just one to stand out. On a fairly bare stage with lighting and roll out set pieces to compensate, the four actors electrify the audience as they switch from character to character and easily make each individual unique, each more enchanting than the last.

It's easy to understand why this musical successfully played for 10 years off-Broadway and inspired more than 60 men to take to the stage for a surprise proposal. "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" makes the perfect show for any single, dating or married person and provides two hours of pure entertainment.

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I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Cosmopolitan Cabaret
Through November 18
www.calmt.com

A theater lover since childhood, Harmony Wheeler has done Marketing and Public Relations work for Sierra Repertory Theatre, Hillhouse Opera Company and other companies. She graduated with high honors from Biola University with her degree in Journalism and an emphasis in Public Relations. In addition to working for the Gallo Center for the Arts, MJM Entertainment Group, Biola University Marketing and Communications, 6th Street PR, and Zimbabwe Gecko Society, Wheeler has written for The Modesto Bee, The Chimes, Static MultiMedia, BullyPulpit.com, TUFW Alumnus Magazine, Christian Book Previews, The Christian Communicator, and Church Libraries Magazine. Her photos appear in The Dominican Dream, a book available for purchase through Biola University's Journalism Department. Her photography and video work can be found at http://photographybyharmonywheeler.shutterfly.com/. To learn more about Harmony Wheeler, or to contact her for work possibilities, visit www.harmonywheeler.com.

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