Review: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is a Broadway musical that debuted in 1996 using songs to tell story arcs of typical couples’ relationships from dating to widowhood—well, “typical” as defined by this rather dated show.

Though the Sacramento Theatre Company has pulled together an ace team to present this musical that includes local cabaret king Jerry Lee as director and a very talented musical acting-singing, it just can’t overcome this 20-year-old show’s rather confined view of love.

That’s not to say that some of the songs aren’t clever; they do capture the aches, pains, comedy and rewards of old-school courtship, marriage, parenthood and widowhood. But overall, the show’s stereotypical examples of relationships provide a narrow perspective that many will find feel hard to relate to by neglecting anyone who does not fit neatly in this show’s rigid societal pockets such as the unmarried (other than the portrayed sad-sack singles), gay, childless, older or any ethnic or economic diversity.

Director Lee, does the best he can with the material. He has rounded up a wonder cast: Melinda Parrett, who has graced local stages, and Sacramento newbies Jake Mahler, David Crane, and Jennifer Morrison (a standout in a cast of standouts).

All that this collection of talent needs is a musical that speaks to our time and our diverse community.