TAMPA — Love gets the comic treatment in the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” running June 5-28 at Stageworks Theatre, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., in Tampa’s Channel District.
This fast-paced musical sends four actors through 60 characters and every stage of romance. The production closes out Stageworks’ 43rd season. Performances will be presented Fridays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Matinees also will be offered on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. Individual tickets are available for purchase online at www.stageworkstheatre.org.
With book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro, and music by Jimmy Roberts, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” is a laugh-out-loud musical romp through the rollercoaster of modern relationships, moving from first dates and wedding jitters to parenting woes and everything in between. Told through a series of vignettes, the show celebrates the absurdity, heartbreak and hilarity of love in all its stages.
“This show gives audiences the joy of watching four terrific performers transform again and again as they take on the awkward, funny and tender moments people recognize in their own lives,” said Karla Hartley, Stageworks Theatre’s producing artistic director. “It’s brutally honest, surprisingly sweet and a reminder that while love may not be perfect, it is always entertaining.”
The four-member cast features Logan Franke, Jaime Giangrande-Holcom, Jaryn McCann and Ryan Sturm. Each actor has previously appeared in Stageworks productions. McCann recently starred in this season’s “My Name is Asher Lev,” while Franke appeared in the season’s opener, “Evil Dead: The Musical.” Giangrande-Holcom made audiences howl with laughter in last season’s production of “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical.” Sturm returns to Stageworks after last appearing in “12 Angry Men.”
Heather Krueger directs the production. The creative team also includes Frank Chavez, set design; mother-daughter duo Debbi Lastinger and Kyra Lastinger with costume design; and Danny Aggers, lighting design. The production team includes Ariana Perera, stage manager; Allison Bica, sound engineer; James Putnam, master carpenter; and Skylar Jay, scenic artist.
Xander McColly leads the band as music director and keys, with Julia Ford on reeds, Clint Randles on guitar and bass, and Jono Magro on drums.
Stageworks Theatre is Tampa’s longest-running professional theatre company. To learn more, visit www.stageworkstheatre.org.