Players Circle Theater: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

Players Circle Theater presents the hilarious musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change with book and lyrics by two-time Tony winner Joe DePietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. Preview performances begin Monday, Feb. 6, with opening night Saturday, Feb. 11. The production runs until Feb. 26. This acclaimed off-Broadway musical ran over 5,000 performances in NYC, making it the second longest-running musical in off-Broadway history.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is presented in a series of vignettes with the theme of love and relationships. The play’s tagline is “Everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit”. It was nominated for the Outer Critics Circle Award as Outstanding Off-Broadway musical. It has been translated into 17 languages and was called by the NY Daily News “Seinfeld set to Music!”
The play is directed by Players Circle founder and artistic director Robert Cacioppo, who says, “I’m delighted to be directing this show again. I directed it to great acclaim in my early years at Florida Rep, where it was one of the Rep’s biggest hits. The show is universal in its appeal and just plain hilarious. It covers every aspect of the male-female relationship from first dates to marriage, from having children to a skit of a senior citizen ‘picking up’ another senior at a funeral.”
The set design is by Steven McLean (Admissions, Murder at the Howard Johnsons, Lifespan of a Fact, among others). Lighting and sound design is by Tyler Omundson (Miracle on South Division Street and Night and Day). Costumes are by Terri Schaffer (Murder at the Howard Johnsons). Musical director and pianist Ricky Pope is in his fourth production of the play. Pope previously worked on Broadway at the York Theater and Surflight Theater in New Jersey. Assisting Pope on the violin will be John MacDonald.
The two male, two female cast of four includes Natalie Brouwer (Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Night & Day and Guys and Doll Revue) and Shane Dinan (Laughter on the 23rd Floor and Guys and Doll Revue). New to the Players Circle stage are actors Amanda Ross and Ted Wioncek.
Discounted previews run Feb 6 – 10. All tickets for previews are only $30. Opening night takes place on Saturday, Feb. 11 with a complimentary glass of champagne and musical entertainment 30 minutes before 7 p.m. curtain. After preview week, all Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday performances will begin at 7 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. VIP tickets are $50 for the south section (center section) and front rows on the east and west sections. General side section tickets in the east and west sections in rows 2-5 are only $35. Three-show subscription package for as little as $75. For more information or to purchase tickets or subscriptions, call 239-800-3292 or go online at Playerscircletheater.com.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is performed in thrust configuration with audiences on three sides. Only 150 seats with no seat more than four rows from the stage. Parking is free. Dinner is available in the Southern Grill Restaurant adjacent to the theater’s lobby (call 239-995-3999 for reservations) or enjoy the new upscale menu available in the theater’s lobby to theater patrons only, must be seated 90 minutes before the show. Enjoy a free glass of wine with every entree purchased. For dinner reservations, tell the box office when ordering your tickets at 239-800-3292.
Players Circle Performing Arts Center at the Shell Factory is located at 15644 N. Tamiami Trail, North Fort Myers.