‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ romps through couple-hood

Musical comedy revue scheduled at CMC’s Spring Valley campus theatre

In rehearsals for “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” are, left to right, Wendy Tennis and Paige Ulmer (in front) and Jarrod Majkut, Jimmy Coates and David Collier. Ulmer, Majkut and Collier are CMC students. CMC Theatre presents the off-Broadway surprise hit Dec. 5-14 at Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley campus. Photo Scot Gerdes
In rehearsals for “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” are, left to right, Wendy Tennis and Paige Ulmer (in front) and Jarrod Majkut, Jimmy Coates and David Collier. CMC Theatre presents the off-Broadway surprise hit Dec. 5-14 at the college’s Spring Valley campus. Photo Scot Gerdes

Colorado Mountain College Theatre’s production of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” tackles some of life’s toughest questions: How do you find love? How do you keep it alive? And what the heck do you do with it after a certain age?

“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” played for 12 years in New York and remains one of the longest-running shows in Colorado theater history. For two weekends only the surprise-hit, musical comedy revue will take the stage at the New Space Theatre on the Spring Valley campus of Colorado Mountain College. Performances are Dec. 5-7 and 12-14 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.

The stellar show invites the audience to ride love’s roller coaster with a variety of couples, and wannabe couples, as they struggle with first dates, breaking up, making up, marrying (with great trepidation), raising children and finding love well into their golden years.

CMC Theatre presents the off-Broadway surprise hit “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” Dec. 5-14 at Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley campus. Featured here are CMC students Jaime Sklavos (left) and David Collier. Photo Scot Gerdes
CMC Theatre presents the off-Broadway surprise hit “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” Dec. 5-14 at Colorado Mountain College’s Spring Valley campus. Featured here are CMC students Jaime Sklavos (left) and David Collier. Photo Scot Gerdes

As in any good musical revue, the song and dance numbers feature a variety of musical styles and genres, from rock ‘n’ roll to gospel, country western to Italian opera. Each vignette shifts the performers into new rhythms, creating a varied tempo that supports the show’s madcap, comic pacing.

“It’s a delightful, light look at the quirkiness and humor of relationships,” said Paige Ulmer, CMC theater student and ensemble member.

Director Sue Lavin, adjunct faculty at CMC, describes the characters conveyed by each scene as both familiar and full of surprises. “These couples are completely accessible and completely vulnerable, so they feel very real,” she said. “And yet, they behave in unexpected ways.”

“Most relationships are based in dissonance,” joked student performer Jarrod Majkut. “This show gives love a melody.”

Ensemble conveys highs, lows of romance through musical comedy

“A lot of classic musicals stop the action for the singing and dancing,” said Lavin. “In this show, the music tells the story and drives the action forward. Every character and situation carries nearly equal weight. It’s a true ensemble piece.”

The cast includes CMC theater students Majkut, Ulmer, Jaime Sklavos and David Collier, who are joined by community performers Wendy Tennis and Jimmy Coates. Student Bella Barnum choreographed the show, including “The Marriage Tango,” which Lavin described as “one of the most inventive, fun-filled pieces” she’s ever seen on the stage.

Pianist Terry Lee lends her virtuoso keyboard skills as musical director, and Graeme Duke, Karissa Oder, Brad Moore, Kris Shechter, Shelby Lathrop, Aaron Resnick, Ashley Williford, Jason Cirkovic, Nick Dyl, Darren Houser, Jordan Corzine, R.C. Kautz and Michael McLaughlin provide backstage and technical support.

In the spirit of the holiday season, CMC Theatre is offering a 1 percent discount to show-going couples for every year they’ve been in a committed relationship. Seats can be reserved now at svticketsales@coloradomtn.edu or 947-8177.  Standard ticket prices for “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” are $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors, staff and faculty.

Upcoming shows for the spring season are “Proof,” Feb. 7-9 and 13-16; and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” April 4-6 and 10-13.