Review by Randy Clark

I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, at Burien Actors Theatre, is a musical about love and life in 21st Century America. It’s the second time the theatre has produced the play. They did it back in 2008. For those who saw it back then, you won’t be disappointed.

The show, by Joe DiPietro, with music by Jimmy Roberts is a review of small scenes, most with musical numbers, of the mostly, secret thoughts of people going through the tumultuous rigamarole of, first, dating, then sex, then marriage, then child rearing etc. It ranges from cynical to sweet. Everyone will recognize, and most will identify with, many of the situations depicted.

There’s the scene of the busy business types on their first date deciding to skip the preliminaries and get on to their second date, and then to their third and beyond without wasting their valuable time. And there’s that couple who go on date after date with each other, scared to make the next move. The show gives telling the parents about marriage plans a different twist. The wedding ceremony itself is skewered and everyone will recognize the bridesmaid who laments having to buy another hideous dress. But, don’t think this is just a play about youth. It deals with middle age and then the golden years and splits the views with sweetness and acidity.

The play was written for four actors, two women, two men. This production has six: Tiffany Chancey, Troy Hightower, Olivia Lee, Gavin Sakae McLean, Mario Orallo-Molinaro and Helen Roundhill. They do an excellent job, jumping into each scenario with great energy and aplomb. Each must provide a large range of emotional variety and they pull it off without ever missing. They all have a great time giving each character life. Along with it, they have wonderful singing abilities, especially the women. They make each note count.

Jane Ryan’s stage direction allows the action to move quickly and effortlessly. She utilizes the levels between the stage and the house floor well, never letting the pace lag. She has created a good space for her actors to perform. With her, they have found the right balance of comic bombastic and dramatic restraint.

The set design, by Maggie Larrick, is simple, attractive and functional and allows for the jumping around of scenes with minimal movement. Molly Warner’s lighting design is clean and creates a good amount of atmosphere. The costumes by Michele Graves work well and even approach sublime with the red robes used in the beginning and end. Deborah Brandt’s props fit nicely.

Finally, a word must be said about the music direction and performance. Usually, the music found in community theatre productions tends more towards the adequate than the superb. Not in this case. Daryl Spadaccini’s direction and piano performance, coupled with the violin of Adam Syed is, quite simply, excellent.

Just their playing alone is worth every penny of the ticket price.

I LOVE YOU, YOU’RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE runs weekends at Burien Actors Theatre through March 22nd. There’s a half price performance on Valentine’s Day Feb. 14th. For information go on line to www.burienactorstheatre.org or call 206-242-5180.