REVIEW: 'I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change' is a gem you don’t want to miss

by Shelli Park One of the main reasons that we attend theatre performances? We want to be entertained; taken out of our day to day reality and deposited in another removed reality which matches the whim of the moment. A successful theatre production is one which makes us forget the day to day. We suspend our connection to reality and find ourselves immersed in the action on stage. Another hallmark of a successful performance is the presence of a character with whom we connect on a personal level. Throw in live music and a talented cast and we have a recipe for delicious escape. As a reviewer, in the midst of experiencing a performance with a critical eye, I often remain just outside of the grip of a performance. If the production isn’t good it isn’t a problem to stay removed. If a performance is good, as this one is, I find myself lost in it for moments at a time, and I have to wake myself up to continue to remain aware as the critic. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, with stage direction by Jane Ryan, is a gem. It is one of those productions which made me forget, for moments at a time, that I was there to work. There were moments when I felt so connected with the emotion of the action on stage that it brought tears to my eyes, and made me laugh. Not an easy thing, usually, when I’m on the job. The production consists of six actors (Tiffany Chancey, Troy Hightower, Olivia Lee, Gavin Sakae McLean, Mario Orallo-Molinaro, and Helen Roundhill) portraying multiple specific roles in a wide variety of situations marking in time the complicated dance that is relationship. These are talented comedic actors with solid vocal talent, each and every one. There are some fresh faces in this production, which is a good sign for BAT. And they are good dancers, to boot! Whenever I thought I found a favorite actor, another great performance would come along and I would fall in love all over again. Standout performances were “I Will Be Loved Tonight”, “Shouldn’t I Be Less In Love With You?” and “I Can Live With That” if I have to pick, however. I really enjoyed the live musical accompaniment. Daryl Spadaccini, music director and pianist for the production is a wonderfully gifted pianist. His solid direction and sensitivity to timing aptly backed the action on stage. He had wonderful synergy with the violinist, Adam Syed, who hit the sweetest notes. The set (Maggie Lerrick) is simple, a series of three windows with the framed silhouette of the Seattle skyline. There are multiple props moved on and off stage to quickly change scenes for each number. The K.C. Crew (three skilled stagehands whose initials are all K.C.) made sure that the transitions were smooth. Michele Graves did a great job with the costumes. Each character was represented clearly, and on point. There were a lot of costumes to round up for each of the, approximately, 33 roles. Graves has a good eye for piecing together looks. Burien Actors Theatre continues to produce high quality productions which, in my opinion, are undervalued in this town. (There is definitely strong support for the organization. A reported 65 volunteers helped to bring this production to life!) They need a better space, granted, but what they do with the space they have is magical. (I hear that you can be a large donor in support of a new theatre.) I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is a production you don’t want to miss. Take a date or a friend and enjoy the ups and the downs, the fun and farce of the love and relationship carnival ride. SAVE $5 OFF WITH THIS COUPON! [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="464"] Click image to print Coupon and save $5![/caption] Photos by Michael Brunk (click images to see larger versions): [caption id="attachment_82537" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Marlene (Tiffany Chancey) is an exhausted parent trying to find time to spend with her husband in the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” The show runs from Feb. 13-March 22 at Burien Actors Theatre.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_82538" align="aligncenter" width="490"] Diane (Tiffany Chancey) is perhaps a little too enthusiastic about winning a tennis match against the guy she likes in the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” The show runs from Feb. 13-March 22 at Burien Actors Theatre.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_82539" align="aligncenter" width="490"] From left to right, actors Gavin McLean and Mario Orallo-Molinaro sing about being a real chest-bumping guy with a capital “G” in the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” The show runs from Feb. 13-March 22 at Burien Actors Theatre.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_82540" align="aligncenter" width="490"] From left to right, Julie (Helen Roundhill) and Jason (Troy Hightower) are two nerds on the ultimate awkward first date in the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” The show runs from Feb. 13-March 22 at Burien Actors Theatre.[/caption] Schedule:

• Friday – Feb 27 at 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday – Feb 28 at 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday – March 1 at 2:00 p.m.
• Friday – March 6 at 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday – March 7 at 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday – March 8 at 2:00 p.m.
• Friday – March 13 at 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday – March 14 at 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday – March 15 at 2:00 p.m.
• Friday – March 20 at 8:00 p.m.
• Saturday – March 21 at 8:00 p.m.
• Sunday – March 22 at 2:00 p.m.

To purchase tickets, visit www.burienactorstheatre.org]]>