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| Jack O'Reilly and Samantha Rose Cardenas imagine they're "A Stud and a Babe." |
“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” takes a
humorous yet insightful look at how relationships change from first date to 30
years of marriage.
Presented by Hillbarn Theatre & Conservatory and
adroitly directed by Erica Abrahamson, this musical comedy features four talented actors
who portray dozens of characters of varying types and ages in more than 20
scenes, each a self-contained vignette.
Because the characters’ names change from scene to
scene, the actors are simply labeled Man
#1 (Jack O’Reilly), Man #2 (Keith Pinto), Woman #1 (Samantha Rose Cardenas) and
Woman #2 (Hayley Lovegren).
With music by Jimmy Roberts and book and lyrics by
Joe DiPietro, the show opens with “Cantata for a First Date” as the four
characters get dressed for the date.
The actual date takes place during “Not Tonight, I’m
Busy, Busy, Busy” as Pinto and Lovegren decide that a first date is too
awkward, so they pretend it’s the second and then the third, when they must
decide on sex.
One of the more amusing scenes is “A Stud and a
Babe,” in which O’Reilly’s character is actually a nerd and his date, Cardendas,
is a frump.
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| Hayley Lovegren laments that she's "Always a Bridesmaid." |
Later, in “Always a Bridesmaid," Lovegren laments
that not only is she not getting married, she has to wear ugly dresses.
The way that parenthood changes people is seen in
“The Baby Song,” as a married gay
couple, Pinto and O’Reilly, who have a new baby, evolve from interesting adults
to baby talkers who totally bore a good friend, Cardenas.
Other scenes show a contentious family road trip,
two oldsters meeting at a funeral and more.
Each one is funny because it seems so real and
because the four actors are so versatile.
Guided by musical director Matthew Mattei, each one
also sings well, accompanied by Jon Mattei on a white grand piano and Paula
Filseth on violin.
The scenes are divided by quick blackouts when the
stage crew, Eric Olson and Adria Olson, moves minimal set pieces (set by Matt
Owens with sound and lighting by Ron Ho) in and out, giving the actors time for
quick costume changes.
Credit goes to costume designer Ashley Garlick for
outfits that are appropriate for the characters.
Suitable for an adult audience only, “I Love You, You’re
Perfect, Now Change” runs a fast-moving two hours and 40 minutes with one
intermission.
It will continue through May 8 at Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City. For tickets and information, call (650) 349-6411, Ext. 2, or visit www.hillbarntheatre.org.
Photos by Mark and Tracy Photography
