The revue I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change runs the gamut of real life with humor and honesty.
By ROBERT HICKS
Published April 22, 2004
[Publicity photo]
From left, Mark Raumaker, Shelly Trocolli, Heather Krueger and Jonathan Van Dyke portray more than 60 roles exploring the perils of relationships.
Heather Krueger's dating experience, marriage and recent motherhood - and years of performing musical theater - prepared her for the many roles she plays in the romantic comedy revue I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change.
"I've obviously gone through the dating part and I'm married," she said. "I'll have been married five years in November, so I've got that part down. And I have an 18-month-old, so I kind of get that."
The show opens tonight and will run through May 30 at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's Jaeb Theater. Krueger, Shelley Trocolli, Jonathan Van Dyke and Mark Raumaker portray more than 60 roles in this humorous look at the differences between men and women and the perils of relationships. Rick Criswell directs the show, written by playwright-lyricist Joe DiPietro and composer Jimmy Roberts.
Krueger, 30, a Tampa native, has been singing and dancing for nearly a decade and has been seen in Center Theater Company productions such as Fabulous Fifties; Swing, Swing, Swing; TeleVisions; and Little Shop of Horrors, as well as shows at Busch Gardens.
"I've always felt really connected to music. It's always been a way for me to express myself," she said. "I, of course, had the dreams of being a rock star, but when I discovered musical theater, it was just really appealing to me."
DiPietro's witty wordplay covers subjects ranging from first-date jitters to hideous bridesmaid gowns, new parents going goo-goo over their first baby and romance in the twilight years.
"I think everyone has experienced those moments or has known someone who has experienced every one of those moments that we have in the show. It's the true life of it all that's so appealing," Krueger said.
"I think the most important part is to bring the honesty into it, the truth of how it actually does happen to you," she said. "You've gone on those really bad dates. Then you finally meet the guy that you want to spend the rest of your life with, and you want to have kids. There's all the chaos that goes with it. There's still that basis of having this wonderful little human being that you're responsible for and how it's changed your life and growing old with that person and all that comes with it.
"It's funny in a sense, but I think it's important to keep the honesty part of it so people can really connect to it rather than just watch it."
PREVIEW: I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, through May 30, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 4 p.m. Sunday. $28.50. 813 229-7827 or toll-free 1-800-955-1045; or www.tbpac.org
