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Civic Theatre production finds common strains in love stories
‘I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change'
When: 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday
Admission: $19; $17 in advance; $5 for students at the door with ID
Where: Greensburg Civic Theatre, Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Road
Details: 724-836-7529; www.gctheatre.org
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By Candy Williams
Published: Tuesday, February 12, 2013, 9:00 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, February 14, 2013
Greensburg Civic Theatre offers theatergoers a sentimental Valentine with its production this weekend of Joe DiPietro's musical revue, “I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.”
The show being staged at Greensburg Garden and Civic Center explores the many emotions of love — from excitement and insecurities to joys, tears and passion, says Alyssa Bruno, one of the six actors in the cast who divvy up the personalities of more than 20 featured characters.
“The point of the show having many different characters, yet all being played by the same actors, is a metaphor for how we are all in the same boat when it comes to relationships. We have all felt what these characters feel and have been in at least one of these situations,” she says. “If you haven't personally been in a situation portrayed, you know someone who has.”
Her favorite role is the one she assumes for the song, “A Stud and a Babe.”
“I saw it performed many years ago at a cabaret and laughed 'til my stomach hurt,” she says.
Bruno also is performing in Prime Stage Theatre's production of “Everything Is Fine,” a dating violence-education program sponsored by Highmark for high-school students.
Another cast member, Rachel Painter, plays 14 characters in the show — from an impatient businesswoman and jaded single girl to a desperate bridesmaid, a bossy wife and a bitter divorcee.
“It's been a challenge and a treat to stretch my acting chops,” Painter says.
One of her favorite musical numbers is a duet, “Highway of Love,” which she sings with Josh List.
“We play a nagging couple driving to a relative's house with our two children, and it's just so much fun to perform. It's a situation that every family who's ever been on a road trip has experienced,” she says.
Katya Shaffer directs the musical production and says she has wanted to direct the show since she and her husband went to see it in Pittsburgh years ago.
“By the time the show was over, it had instantly become one of my favorites. It has so much to offer for women and men of any age,” she says. “I am hoping that the audience will find themselves in this production. I know I did.”
Others in the cast are Alex Slaughter, Margaret Ryan and Rob MacIntyre. Musical director is Rob Stull.
Candy Williams is a contributing writer for Trib Total Media.
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