'I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change'

For 85 years, the Theatre of Western Springs (TWS) has performed drama and comedy. Period. Times are changing, however, and the venerable theatre group is tackling a musical - “I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," the fifth mainstage play of the theatre’s 85th season. It was written by Joe DiPietro with music by Jimmy Roberts, directed by Guest Director Jeff Casey, with musical direction by William Underwood.

“We discovered we have a wealth of vocal talent among our Active members,” said TWS Managing Director Bill Hammack, “and we’re proud to show it off by doing a musical. It’s hilarious and naughty, and I predict our audiences will thoroughly enjoy it. However, this is not ‘Oklahoma.’ It’s for mature audiences only.”

Performances take place from June 5 - 15, 2014, at the Theatre of Western Springs, 4384 Hampton Ave.

Schedule:

8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays - June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14
2:30 p.m. Sundays, June 8 and 15
2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 14
7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 8

"It’s funny and touching, it's silly and poignant, it's about love and loss," said Jeff Casey, guest director of the musical. “What most appeals to me about this show is how it is full of truly universal themes. I also love that there is a variety of musical styles.”

The play is a series of independent vignettes focusing on love and personal relationships. It’s about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives, and in-laws. The musical premiered on Aug. 1, 1996, at the Westside Theatre in New York City and closed in 2008 after 5,000 performances.

Nine TWS actors take on the lives of more than 20 characters in the production which features such zany and catchy songs such as, "Single Man Drought," "He Called Me,” and “Marriage Tango.”

Casey says the TWS production is top-notch.

“This is my directorial debut at TWS,” he said. “The cast is fantastic as well as the whole production team. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Bill Underwood, our musical director. TWS casting has opened up a really fresh perspective of the show.”

The cast includes Nancy Belda of Downers Grove, Lori D'Asta of La Grange, Tim Gannon of La Grange Park, Ann Marie Hultgren of Indian Head Park, Harry Hultgren of Indian Head Park, Kelli Kopp of Countryside, Joe Mills of Westchester, Pat Politano of La Grange Park and Joe Savino of Chicago.

Tickets to “I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change” are $20 and $23. Call the box office at 708-246-3380 or visit http://www.theatrewesternsprings.com. Free parking is available.

Guest director

Director Jeff Casey is the managing director for the Towle Theater in Hammond, IN. With a great deal of support, he and his team have built the Towle into a leader in the arts community. In nine years, the Towle has become synonymous with professional quality theater and mutually beneficial partnerships throughout northwest Indiana and Chicagoland.

Casey believes he began making an impact in the region when he created the Northwest Indiana Excellence in Theatre Foundation in 1992. This organization serves as a conduit between community theaters throughout Lake, Porter and LaPorte Counties and continues to thrive today.

In 1999, he accepted a newly created position with South Shore Arts (then Northern Indiana Arts Association) as director of regional services. In 2003, he served as a consultant for a three-county region for the New Jersey State Arts Council.

Casey has served as a building/program consultant for the new Carnegie Arts Center project in East Chicago and has sat on the board of directors for the Downtown Hammond Council, Munster Chamber of Commerce and the Northwest Indiana Society of Innovators.

Music director

Since 2007, William Underwood has been the resident music director, conductor, and orchestrator at The Theatre at the Center in Munster, IN. He received Joseph Jefferson Citations for original music and music direction.

In addition, he collaborated on nine original musicals including: book, music and lyrics for “Ready,” a love story set in Chicago in the days leading up to the Haymarket riot and a comic operetta based on Shakespeare's writings about love called  “Nothing But Love.”

 As a pianist, he has played for Aretha Franklin, Diahann Carroll, Lillianne Montevechi, Bobby Vinton, Tiny Tim and numerous Chicago vocalists.

Playwright

Joe DiPietro wrote the book and lyrics to "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," which is his first produced work. He may be best known for the Tony Award winning "Memphis,” a musical he produced with David Bryan of the rock group Bon Jovi.

His latest effort is the 2012 Broadway debut of the musical, “Nice Work If You Can Get It," based on DiPietro's book of the same name. A national tour of the musical is expected to begin in 2014.

CAST
Nancy Belda of Downers Grove
Lori D'Asta of La Grange
Tim Gannon of La Grange Park
Anne Marie Hultgren of Indian Head Park
Harry Hultgren of Indian Head Park
Kelli Kopp of Countryside
Joe Mills of Westchester
Pat Politano of La Grange Park
Joe Savino of Chicago

CREW
Director - Jeff Casey of Hammond, IN.
Musical Director – Bill Underwood of Oak Park
Tech Director - Thad Hallstein of Chicago
Stage Manager - Edward W. Wavak of Hinsdale
Assistant Stage Manager - Nicole Leatherwood of Darien
Costumes - Janet Gassmann of Western Springs
Costumes - Martha Niles of Chicago
Dramaturg - Rick Pavia of La Grange Park
Hospitality - Carol Clarke of Hinsdale
Lights – Cal Turner of Naperville
House Manager - Mike Janke of Downers Grove
Makeup - Jennifer Price of Burr Ridge
Makeup - Stacy McCargo of Western Springs
Program Editor - Ed Barrow of Hinsdale
Program Editor/Bios - Debbie Angelillo of Oak Brook
Props - Darla Goudeau of La Grange Park
Props - Eileen Crow of Hinsdale
Publicity - Marcia Faye of La Grange Park
Publicity - Ginny Richardson of Burr Ridge
Set Construction - Bob Baker of Western Springs
Set Design - Martha Niles of Chicago
Set Dresser - Cheryle McKay of Clarendon Hills
Set Painting - Karen Holbert of Western Springs
Set Painting - Sandy Squillo of Clarendon Hills
Sound - Jack Calvert of Western Springs