A couple of weeks back, I had the opportunity to write a few words about A Chorus Line which was recently performed at the Valentine Theatre. In the article, I noted that ACL is one of the longest running shows in Broadway history. It has also logged a lot of travel miles as one of the most popular musicals in the world!
Now theatre, which is by nature an art of movement and sound produced in front of a live (and, most of the time – appreciative) audience, is also a cyclical art form — it constantly refreshes (or recycles) itself with new, revised productions, featuring unusual casting, or music highlighting completely rewritten books, etc.
You missed Wicked a couple of years ago at the Stranahan? Well, it's baaaaaaaaack! Loved West Side Story as a youth, and wanted your kids to experience the same rush you felt as Tony and Maria sang “Tonight” on the fire escape? Well, guess what's coming to Toledo again next year? But, it would be nice to see some fresh musicals hit the Great Glass Way!
This is all a precursor to mention that on February 22nd the Valentine is producing not only a show that isn’t done all that often in our area, but which also has earned bragging rights as one of the longest running shows in “off-Broadway” history (and to answer the inevitable question: you’ll just have to wait for my take on what Off-Broadway was supposed to be, versus what it has in fact, become! Another day, another City Paper column!)
In fact, the second-longest running Off-Bway show in history is the one with the ultimate truth in relationship advertising, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. In fact, ILY,YP,NC (oh, hell, let’s just call it “Change” shall we?) was born in 1996 and finally closed in 2008, after 5,003 performances. In a world in which a much vaunted show (Glory Days) can close on B’way after one performance, Change did itself proud.
However, Change is unusual in that it does not carry straight through from beginning to end, but rather, introduces us to a series of vignettes that center around love, relationships, dating, cold feet before the “big day”, hellish in-laws (I could write a book!), heartbreak, 30 years of marriage and more.
The book and lyrics written by Joe DiPietro (Tony winner for the 2010 musical Memphis ) and the music by Jimmy Roberts are a lot of fun (downright hilarious, actually) and it’s a pretty good bet that you and your date will leave the Valentine laughing or singing, or both!. It's the ultimate date night. But watch out that the show doesn’t get the better of you. . .Change has the distinction of being “the show most proposed at” for their hundreds of onstage marriage proposals. Send me an invite so I can say “I told ya so.”
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will be performed at the Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St., February 22nd – March 10th on Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm. $20. For more info call, 419-242-3490 or visit www.valentinetheater.com.
