Sandra Rasmussen and Richard Marrett, the team behind many of Christchurch's most popular musicals, bring some heart-warming romance to winter with the record-breaking musical comedy I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE!, opening on June 13 at The Court Theatre
Hailed as "everything you've ever thought about dating, lovers, romance, marriage, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were secretly afraid to admit", this musical revue romps through relationships in all their forms as four performers (Amy Straker, Jonathan Martin, Nicolas Kyle and Ali Harper) play a multitude of roles.
Written by Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts, I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! premièred at The Westside Theatre in New York City, on August 1, 1996 and closed on July 27, 2008 after 5,003 performances: the second-longest-running off-Broadway show of all time.
This has been a change of pace from the "summer spectaculars" for the production team, who have managed casts in excess of thirty for productions such as GUYS AND DOLLS, THE PRODUCERS and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Rasmussen finds directing a musical with a cast of four "a much more intimate - but no less challenging - process".
Musical Director Marrett goes from conducting a full orchestra in the NZ première of MISS SAIGON to being the only instrumentalist on stage, a change he describes as "going from the epic to the personal". He will share pianist duties during the season with Assistant Musical Director Hamish Oliver.
I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! holds the record for on-stage marriage proposals, with sixty-one successful suitors taking the stage during the show's twelve-year run. The Court Theatre is going one better with a world first: staff member Jeff Clark will tie the knot on the set of the show. In addition, cast member Ali Harper will be performing while expecting her second child - a piece of theatre history and another sign that love is certainly in the air at The Court!
Full of fun and romance, I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE! is perfect for a first date, anniversary treat or anything in between. Book your tickets quick, though - like single men in Christchurch, they're getting snapped up fast!
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