Performances Begin Jan. 19 for I Love You Because at Off- Broadway's Village Theatre

This new musical features book & lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, music by Joshua Salzman, choreography by Christopher Gattelli and direction by Daniel Kutner. I LOVE YOU BECAUSE stars Farah Alvin, David A. Austin, Tony Award nominee Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Avenue Q) and Colin Hanlon, and features Jordan Leeds and Courtney Balan. Performances begin Off-Broadway at the Village Theatre (158 Bleecker Street, NYC) on Thursday, January 19, 2006. Opening Night is set for Tuesday, February 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Set in New York City, I LOVE YOU BECAUSE follows Austin Bennet (Colin Hanlon), a young greeting card writer whose life is turned upside down when he finds his long-term girlfriend Catherine in bed with another man. Forced back out into the treacherous New York dating scene, Austin meets Marcy Fitzwilliams (Farah Alvin), a flighty photographer whose spontaneity is matched only by her ability to drive him insane. This new musical comedy explores the 'rules' and nuances of dating and learning how to love someone, not in spite of their differences, but because of them. I LOVE YOU BECAUSE also stars Stephanie D'Abruzzo as Marcy's best friend Diana Bingley and David A. Austin as Austin's brother, Jeff Bennet. Jordan Leeds and Courtney Balan round out the ensemble.

A gender-reversed modern day musical retelling of Jane Austen's classic novel Pride and Prejudice, I LOVE YOU BECAUSE features orchestrations by Larry Hochman and songs such as "Another Saturday Night in New York," "Maybe We Just Made Love," "But I Don't Want to Talk About Her," and the titular track, "I Love You Because." Jana Zielonka serves as musical director.

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE features choreography by Christopher Gattelli, scenic design by Beowulf Boritt and Jo Winiarski, costume design by Millie Hiibel, lighting design by Jeff Croiter and sound design by Tony Smolenski and Walter Trarbach. Brian Meister serves as the Production Stage Manager.

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE was originally developed at NYU's Musical Theatre Writing program. It received its first staged reading in July 2005 at The East 13th Street Theatre. It was also one of eight official selections at the 17th Annual Festival of New Musicals industry reading event, presented by the National Alliance for Musical Theatre, September 2005 at Dodger Stages.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE, VENUE & TICKET INFORMATION

The Village Theatre is located in the NYC's West Village (158 Bleecker Street), between Thompson and Sullivan Streets.

Subway Directions: A, B, C, D, E, F, Q to West 4th Street station. Walk south on 6th Avenue to Bleecker Street, then head east to the theatre.

Tickets for I LOVE YOU BECAUSE are $20-$65 (Special Preview Prices: All seats for Saturday 10 p.m. performances through February 13 are only $25). Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster.com at 212-307-4100, or in-person at the Village Theatre box office. Student Rush tickets are $20 and can be purchased in-person at the box office 30 minutes prior to curtain (subject to availability and a valid school ID is required).

Regular performance schedule:

- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday at 8:00 p.m. (Dark on Wednesday)

- Saturday at 7:00 p.m. & 10:00 p.m.

- Sunday at 3:00 p.m. matinee & 7:00 p.m. evening

For more information or to preview cast photos & biographies, visit, www.ILoveYouBecauseTheMusical.com.