A Night at the Theater

Saturday night the husband/lover/valentine and I went out to a show to officially celebrate Valentine's Day.  Truthfully, we just wanted to get out of the house and do something special together, so we called it official.

We went to see the show "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," with book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts.  It is the second-longest running off Broadway musical.

We saw it at the Community Theater League in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.  My husband enjoys seeing shows in this venue, as there is plenty of room in front of you if you happen to have long legs, like he does.  We've seen several other performances in this theater, and they have all been enjoyable evenings out for us.

This celebration of the mating game takes on the truths and myths behind that contemporary conundrum known as "the relationship."  We took a musical and comedic journey beginning with first awkward dates leading to love and marriage.  Then we examined in-laws, newborns, and trips in the family car.  Finally we observed the surprising pick-up techniques of the geriatric set.

We had many laughs as we easily saw our own relationship played out on the stage, and similar moments we've experienced with our own children and parents.

Of course, photography was strictly forbidden during the show, but I searched and found some photos of our favorite scenes to share with you.

The scene depicting an awkward first date, "A Stud and a Babe," was one of my favorites.  Two very self-conscious nerds try to find conversation and make an impression on each other, each while dreaming they are something other than what they really are.  Hilarious.

In the scene "The Lasagna Incident," after a casual game of tennis, a young woman and man decide to have dinner together that evening.  She sings a beautiful and poignant song anticipating the evening, "I Will Be Loved Tonight."

Of course no compilation about relationships would be complete without a wedding, and this show was no exception.  What made this wedding scene funny though was seeing the "asides" where the bride and groom sang and told us what was really running through their minds.  The ministerial team helped them to be aware of how truly miserable they will be if they do go through with their vows.  Here is "Dearly Beloved:"

"Sex and the Married Couple" was a very funny scene in which a couple receives counseling on how to make things better for each other.  The song "Marriage Tango" was full of some surprises which I won't reveal in case you do go to see this show.  Lots of laughs!

In the ridiculous scene "Tear Jerk," a man accompanies his wife to a chick flick during which he gripes incessantly.  However, by the end of the movie he is the weepy mess, and she offers him the kleenex all the while eating her popcorn.

Sometimes parents get over zealous to have grandchildren, and the scene "And Now the Parents" was a very funny look at how that happens.

                            

Finally, "The Family that Drives Together..." was a creative laugh out loud scene that reminded us of many family road trips we have taken over the years.  I had to almost muffle myself so I wouldn't laugh too loud, or even snort.

They say laugher is good for the soul.  I've even heard that laughing a lot can heal you.  If any of that is true, then after seeing this show I must be just about as good as new.

If you have the chance, please go see this show.  I promise you - you will have lots of laughs.  If not, then frankly I guess you're dead.