Valentine’s play about the realities of love, marriage and relationships

“I LOVE you” — everyone’s favorite three little words. “You’re perfect” — first mistake. “Now change” — disaster.

These three phrases are the title of a rollicking musical comedy staged on Friday and Saturday at the Charley’s Cabaret of the Pacific Islands Club.

According to  director Susan Fishman-Tudor, “Romantic love didn’t always make the world go round and, if it did, judging by the statistics we read, the world may stop turning at any moment.”

Fishman-Tudor said  when the Friends of the Arts chose “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” for their Valentine’s Day musical presentation, it seemed like a good idea.

“The show is just plain fun, and the commitment by all of the cast and crew was phenomenal,” she said.

The play drew non-stop laughter from the audience as the actors and actresses portrayed different aspects of love, relationships and marriage and life in songs and dialogues.

“Everything was very realistic, and I’m sure many of us were able to relate to the situations. The actors/actresses were fantastic — one great show,” Joe Race, a local author, told the Variety.

“This is one play that people should come out to watch. The play moved very fast and people came out of the venue still laughing,” he added.

Police Officer Jason Tarkong said he was amazed by the local talent featured by the play.

“It’s wonderful to find such talented men and women who can act and also sing,” Tarkong added.

“I am urging those who are not here tonight to catch the final night because they will be missing a lot,” another member of the audience said.

The cast

The cast who played multiple roles in the hilarious vignettes are Paul Dujua, who also provided the musical direction to this and many other FOA plays; Leo F. Goode Jr. who played Scrooge in FOA’s 2007 Christmas production, sang in the 2009 Valentine’s show, and was assistant director in  “My Fair Lady”; Jerry Loyola, a former University of the Philippines “singing ambassador”; and Ruth de Lemos Loyola, a former student actress with FOA.

The other cast members are Wilden Mangahis, a 12th grader at Marianas High School who has been in several FOA, the Thespians and MHS productions; Keneisha Parks, a talented singer and performer and senior at MHS; Kimberly Parks, a sophomore at MHS who hopes to work on Broadway in the future; Roseanne Sablan, an 11th grade student at Saipan Southern High School who is also a member of the Manta Ray Band that performed at the New York Carnegie Hall competition last year; Wincel Mae Bubos, a 9th grade student at Marianas High School; Darren Cajipo, also a 9th grader at MHS; Meredith Callan, a new resident of the CNMI from San Diego who eagerly displayed her talents in her debut  performance with the FOA; and Carlane Castro, a 12th grade student at MHS who has appeared in previous shows, including “The Secret Garden.”
The production staff included assistant director Linda Wingenbach, line producer Andrew Golden, music director/poster/artwork coordinator Paul Dujua, set director Harold Easton, art director Wesley Foster, and advertising/program Frank Gibson.

The Friends of the Arts will soon be ready for another presentation slated for the end of April. Auditions will be open soon for “The Three Musketeers.” For a copy of the script, email thespians@hotmail.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tonight is the final show at the PIC’s Charley’s Cabaret with a special Valentine’s Dinner from 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $33 for non-FOA adults, $30 for FOA adult members and $28 for students.

For tickets or for more information contact Susan Fishman-Tudor at 287-2225 or Frank Gibson at 287-7476. *published HERE)