Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Skylight Music Theatre presents the Second-longest Running Off-Broadway Musical in History I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

Milwaukee, Wis. (January 3, 2017)— Skylight Music Theatre presents the musical revue I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change February 3 – 19, 2017 in the beautiful Cabot Theatre at the Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, Wis.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change features a book and lyrics by Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro (Memphis, Nice Work If You Can Get It) and music by Jimmy Roberts (The Velveteen Rabbit, The Thing About Men). The original Off-Broadway production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change opened in 1996 and ran for over 5,000 performances, making it the second-longest Off-Broadway musical in history. The show was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical.

The New York Times described it as “witty, funny, as good as it gets.” Variety called it “smartly conceived . . . catchy tunes and witty lyrics.” Gannett Newspapers said, “Hilarious! The most entertaining show on or off Broadway.”

Just in Time for Valentine’s Day

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is a tuneful and clever revue celebrating love in all its glory. The show humorously reveals the truths and myths of relationships — from dating and waiting to love and marriage — and on through the agonies and triumphs of in-laws, newborns, trips in the family car and pick-up techniques of the senior set. With an upbeat showtune score flavored with rhythm & blues, doo-wop, jazz and more, it is a crowd pleaser, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The Star Ledger called it “A great date show. A perfect mating dance. It’s Seinfeld set to music.” Newsday wrote, “If this show were a blind date, you’d feel relieved, grateful and pleasantly surprised.”

Pan Kriger and Jack Forbes Wilson Return to Skylight

Returning to Skylight Music Theatre as stage director and choreographer is Pam Kriger, who has directed and/or choreographed over 60 performances at Skylight including White Christmas, Fiddler on the Roof and Once on This Island.

“This show brings a fresh and funny twist to the glories and challenges we have all faced in relationships,” said Kriger. “It is both amusing and touching and will resonate with people at all stages of life.”

Making his return to Skylight Music Theatre is Jack Forbes Wilson as music director. Wilson has performed in numerous Skylight Music Theatre cabarets and last worked with Kriger as music director for Skylight’s Lady, Be Good.

The revue features a versatile ensemble of well-known performers who have delighted Skylight audiences in many previous roles and includes Doug Clemons, Karen Estrada, Kathryn Hausman and Rick Pendzich.

Skylight’s Interim Artistic Director Ray Jivoff said that the revue is a showcase for Skylight’s focus on creating meaningful connections, not only between characters on stage but with the audience as well.

“We have put together a terrific team to create what we think will be the perfect pick-me-up for cold and wintery February weather,” said Jivoff. “The show has incredible performers, lots of laughs and lots of heart – a sweet way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.”

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is sponsored by Johnson Bank.

The I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change production team and cast:

Production Team

Stage Director/Choreographer Pam Kriger

Music Director Jack Forbes Wilson

Scenic Designer Rick Rasmussen

Costume Designer Kristy Leigh Hall

Lighting Designer Holly Blomquist

Sound Designer Megan Henninger

Production Stage Manager Daniel J. Hanson*

Cast

Woman 1 Karen Estrada

Woman 2 Kathryn Hausman

Man 1 Rick Pendzich

Man 2 Doug Clemons

*Member of Actors Equity Association

Biographies – Cast

Doug Clemons (Man 2): At Skylight Music Theatre, Clemons was most recently seen as “Chantal” in La Cage Aux Folles, “Tin Man” in The Wizard of Oz and “Claude” in Hair. He has worked with Fireside Theatre, Milwaukee Opera Theatre, Chamber Theatre and First Stage. Concert credits include soloist for The Utah Light Opera, Florentine Opera, Racine Symphony Orchestra, and backup vocals for Michael Bublé.

Karen Estrada (Woman 1): Estrada was seen at Skylight Music Theatre in Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George and in numerous cabarets. She has performed with Milwaukee Chamber Theatre, In Tandem, Renaissance Theaterworks, First Stage and Milwaukee Opera Theatre, among others. Estrada is a two-time alumna of Disney on Classic in Japan.

Kathryn Hausman (Woman 2): Hausman was seen in Skylight Music Theatre’s The Wizard of Oz, My Fair Lady, Pirates of Penzance, and toured with Skylight’s educational program, Standard Songbook. Hausman has worked with In Tandem, Florentine Opera, Soulstice Theatre, First Stage Theatre Academy, and Milwaukee Irish Arts.

Rick Pendzich (Man 1): Pendzich was most recently seen at Skylight Music Theatre as “The Preacher” in Violet. Previously he performed at Skylight as “Mark Cohen” in Rent, “Grantaire” in Les Misérables, “Brian” in Avenue Q, and in Sunday in the Park with George and The Adding Machine. He has worked with In Tandem, Next Act and First Stage.

Biographies – Directors

Pam Kriger (Director/choreographer): Kriger has directed and/or choreographed over 60 productions at Skylight Music Theatre. She has worked at many regional theaters and served on the theater faculty of Cardinal Stritch University for 25 years. Her Skylight credits for direction include White Christmas, Little Shop of Horrors, A Day in Hollywood/A Night in The Ukraine, Once on This Island and Fiddler on the Roof. Other credits include Groucho: A Life in Revue (Next Act), Urinetown: The Musical, Into the Woods, Legally Blonde (UW Madison), and The Spitfire Grill, The Drowsy Chaperone and Little Shop of Horrors (Cardinal Stritch University).

Jack Forbes Wilson (Music Director) has often been seen at Skylight Music Theatre’s after-show cabaret productions, and worked with Pam Kriger and Michael Lorenz on the main stage as Music Director for Lady, Be Good. More recently he has worked with Milwaukee Opera Theatre in 1776 and Thank You, Next! and as Music Director for A Charlie Brown Christmas with First Stage. He has portrayed the glittery showman Liberace twice at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre in Brent Hazleton’s Liberace.

Performance Information

Performances of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change are Friday, February 3 through Sunday, February 19 in the Cabot Theatre, Broadway Theatre Center, 158 N. Broadway in the Historic Third Ward of Milwaukee.

Tickets & Box Office

Tickets are $25 – $75 (plus tax and fees) and can be purchased in person at the Broadway Theatre Center Box Office or by calling (414) 291-7800, Monday – Saturday, from noon – 6 p.m., and two hours prior to each performance. Tickets may be purchased online at www.skylightmusictheatre.org.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is rated PG-13 for adult language and situations.

For ticket discounts and more information sign up for Skylight’s email newsletter at www.skylightmusictheatre.org or call the Box Office (414) 291-7800.

Group discounts are available for parties of 10 or more. Call (414) 299-4964 or email MorganH@ skylightmusictheatre.org.

Special Events

Skylight Insights. In-depth discussions with directors and special guests take place one hour before every Wednesday and Sunday performance.

Skylight BeOut. A preshow celebration and tickets for LGBTQ members and supporters takes place Wednesday, February 8 at 6 p.m.

For more information visit www.skylightmusictheatre.org, email info@skylightmusictheatre.org or call the Box Office at (414) 291-7800.

Skylight Bar & Bistro

The Skylight Bar & Bistro is located on the second floor of The Broadway Theatre Center. It is open two hours before each performance and features gourmet dining and fine wine by Indulge Wine Room. Reservations for full table service in Skylight Bar & Bistro can be made in advance by calling (414) 291-3773 or email Skylight@getindulge.com. Counter service is available without reservations.

About Skylight Music Theatre

Skylight Music Theatre’s mission since 1959: To bring the full spectrum of music theatre works to a wide and diverse audience in celebration of the musical and theatrical arts and their reflection of the human condition. Skylight presents productions “Skylight Style” – bringing fresh approaches or interesting twists to music theatre works, creating meaningful connections, not only between the characters on stage but with the audience as well. The beautiful, intimate Cabot Theatre allows audiences to feel close to the powerful emotions on stage.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.