Winter musical aimed at anyone who's been through dating/mating game
Hendrix Erhahon, left, Francisco Garcia, Steven Ennis, Nick Tarabini rehearse for the winter musical. (Photo: Ben Ailes)
- February 3, 2012
Uproariously funny, with catchy songs that are on the mark, Cal State East Bay winter musical, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” promises to speak to anyone who has been through the dating/mating game in a humorous, let’s get right down to the “Birds and Bees” musical satire.
The show will be performed at 8 p.m. March 2, 3, 9 and 10, and at 2 p.m. March 11 in the University Theatre, on CSUEB's Hayward Campus, 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd. Because it contains sexual situations and adult language, it may not be suitable for children under 17.
This musical revue, written by Joe DiPietro with music by Jimmy Roberts, includes songs and vignettes about modern world romance. The first act explores the journey from dating, and waiting for love and marriage; act 2 reveals the agonies and triumphs of meddling in-laws, neurotic, protective parenting, the dreaded family car trip, and pick-up techniques for the geriatric set.
The musical premiered at the off-Broadway Westside Theatre in New York City, Aug. 1, 1996, and closed in July 2008 after 5,003 performances. That made it the second-longest running off-Broadway musical of all-time. Since then it has been translated into 13 languages.
Director Darryl V. Jones, associate professor of theatre and dance, chose this ensemble musical revue to showcase the talents of the musical theatre program students: Teresita Brown, Angelica Edwards, Steven Ennis, Hendrix Erhahon, Ryan Gallen, Francisco Garcia, Samantha Guida, Marie Ibarra, Marena McGregor, Allison Mathise, Nick Tarabini and Catherine Williamson.
“Each student has the opportunity to shine in this musical," Jones said. "Everyone is a principal. They all have songs and scenes that give them a chance to take the stage and own it. And they do.”
“Furthermore, in these trying economic times, we wanted to do a show that just made people forget their woes and LAUGH,” Jones added.
A huge fan of “Dancing with the Stars," Jones uses ballroom dance, choreographed by CSUEB lecturer Laura Ellis, to enhance the romanticism. The setting (designed by theatre-dance senior Chalia LaTour), costumes (by lecturer Ulises Alcala), and lighting (by lecturer Richard Olmsted), all help to visually establish the wacky antics with cartoon colors and imagery.
Musical Director Sierra Dee, a music student and local theater company musical director/accompanist, just completed the same show in Pinole, and says that audiences loved it.
“Our CSUEB production has a larger cast and that has given us the opportunity to expand the vocal and instrumental arrangements,” she said.
CSUEB musicals are typically very popular. Tickets may be purchased in the $10-20 price range online at .
Further information is available at (510) 885-3118 (weekdays only) and online at:
Online tickets sales will end March 1. After that tickets will be available beginning at 7 p.m. the night of the performance at the University Theatre box office. The box office accepts cash, check, Visa and Mastercard. Show parking is $5 for those without a Cal State East Bay parking permit.
CSUEB welcomes persons with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodation upon request. Please notify the event sponsor in advance at (510) 885-3118 if accommodation is needed.