There’s a new show in town! And it’s bringing the longest-running off-Broadway musical to Singapore’s theatre scene. I Love you, You’re Perfect, Now Change by Sing’theatre tackles modern love in all its forms. Like any good love story, it’s all about the arc of relationships. So what better way to explore this idea than through a witty musical about the perils and pitfalls of lovers at different stages of life? From love at first glance to dates, marriage, children and the twilight years, there’s sure to be plenty of insight and hilarity in this theatre show in Singapore.
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
This show is a challenge for the best of actors with a cast of four playing a whopping 56 characters through 22 songs and 20 vignettes! As the longest-running off-Broadway musical, what makes it different is the huge number of storylines. These include first date fails, dabbling in online dating, the family road trip from hell and couples trying to reignite the spark under the sheets!
Performing in the Sing’theatre musical are award-winning actors Ben Chow and Andrew Marko alongside Rebecca Sangeetha Dorai and Misha Paule Tan who is making her professional debut on the musical theatre scene.
Without getting him to give too much away, we asked Sing’theatre director and British expat TJ Taylor all about what audiences can look forward to from this Singapore musical.
Aside from plenty of laughs, what can audiences expect from the show?
The plot is like a whirlwind comedy YouTube playlist of every aspect of falling in love. Every few minutes you’re invited into a new world with relatable characters that will have you saying “that’s me” – or turning to your friend and saying “this is totally you!” It’s a non-traditional musical that will keep all audiences engaged, whether you’re a sing-along Broadway nerd or you just watch The Sound of Music every Christmas.
The show is ultimately about connection. After the last few years, it’s nice to celebrate relationships and friendships of all types. The show turns a mirror on the good, bad and ugly side of making connections, and celebrates and embraces all of life’s ups and downs.
How are you providing a fresh take on I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change?
It’s interesting to look at the show through not only a Singapore lens but the lens of how we find love in 2023. The original show was written in 1996 and was updated in 2018, so audiences will find references to swiping on Tinder, Donald Trump and even watching Frozen for the millionth time!
We also take some of the scenes and contextualise them in a Singapore context. See the painful conversations around the dining table at Lunar New Year, the husband waiting outside the shops on Orchard Road, and even Changi Prison – you’ll have to come and watch to see how we work that one in!
What was your experience working with a small cast?
I love working with small casts as it allows everyone to utilise all their acting skills as they have to create many characters throughout the show. It also provides room for creativity as a director as I work out how we can seamlessly transition between scenes and make sure each actor has time to change into their many different costumes, rearrange the set as well as deliver show-stopping performances.
The true joy about working with a small cast of talented actors is the laughter in the rehearsal room. We have belly-laughed every single day making this show and I know this joy will come across to our audiences too.
How do the musical elements enhance the off-Broadway production?
Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts may not be household names like Andrew Lloyd Webber or Stephen Sondheim. But their writing provides some fantastic songs – wonderful storytelling-driven songs that will leave you surprised, laughing and even crying throughout the show. These are sung by some of Singapore’s best actors who are able to jump into different characters and voices of characters of all ages seamlessly.
The musical was the longest off-Broadway show for a reason! So, put down your phones, turn off the TV and come and see local theatre at its very best.
How to buy tickets to this Singapore musical
I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is playing at Alliance Française Theatre from 19 to 30 April. The show is two hours and 15 minutes long including a 20-minute interval. Performances are at 8pm from Tuesday to Friday, 4pm and 8pm on Saturday, and 3pm and 7pm on Sunday.
Tickets to this theatre show in Singapore are available on SISTIC. They cost $50 to $70 with discounts available online for students, friends of Sing’theatre and multiple ticket purchases.
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