The complexities of human connections are explored in Repertory Philippines’ latest musical comedy offering, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”
Any close friend group chat will have, among its most colorful conversations, dating stories. Awkward experiences, funny interactions, should-I-or-shouldn’t-I, “what do I say”s, “what does this mean”s, delulu ramblings, and so on.
In my own group chat, my childhood friend gave this piece of advice: “Treat dating like a game!”
While I’m not revealing details of my own personal life to you, dear reader (that comes behind a paywall, thank you), what I will tell you is that I get it. I understand. Modern love is hard.
But like another good friend who posts funny Instagram Stories out of her hilarious conversations with dating app matches, we don’t have to feel too bad about this somewhat depressing reality of the difficulty of forming intimate, vulnerable, and most importantly, genuine human connections. We can laugh it off. Maybe even feel a little good about it by spending a couple of hours at the theater to watch very relatable vignettes about the universal experiences of bad first dates, fear of vulnerability, fear of commitment, finally committing, the anger after heartbreak, and even finding companionship again in old age.
Repertory Philippines’ current offering, a staging of the second longest-running off-Broadway musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” is the perfect (heh) antidote to the dating blues. Tagged as a “hilarious musical revue,” it rings true to its bio (unlike your last dating app match).
Starring only four actors—Gian Magdangal, Gabby Padilla, Krystal Kane, and Marvin Ong—we witness snippets of the relationships of nearly 40 characters in various life stages. There’s bound to be a scene each audience member can relate to, and while some of the situations depicted border on the outrageous and unlikely, they still hark back to very real experiences.
No acting red flags spotted here because the cast was impressive in stepping into various roles, switching from one persona to the next with clear distinction and quick precision. And while some vignettes border on more absurd circumstances and personalities (and though some characters in some scenes may seem like caricatures—let the group chats be the witness: it do be like that sometimes), it is instances where the characters are more honest or showcase their vulnerabilities that gives the show its turn for the heartwarming.
Padilla and Kane shine in their solos. “I Will Be Loved Tonight” is hopeful, a feeling of quiet excitement building line after line—made more endearing by the fact that this number follows after the short, funny-but-cute “Lasagna Incident” sketch, where Padilla and Ong play opposite each other as a budding couple who mutually like each other, but seem to have been taking a slow burn-approach (respectfully).
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Being at the age where many of my girl friends are getting married (and getting me as a bridesmaid!), it’s become so much easier to empathize with and relate to Kane’s rendition of “Always A Bridesmaid.” The song itself is full of character, with playful and vivid lyrics.
Meanwhile, Magdangal and Ong double up the show’s hilarity as they portray all the reasons we women suffer on dates: men with their one-sided conversations (cue “Bored” by Laufey…), unsolicited, explicit texts, and fear of vulnerability and commitment. Laughable, but real.
Rep’s “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” under the direction of Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo unfolds pretty much like an ideal (first) date: It’s funny, relatable, and charming—something the group chat would classify as good and promising.
Like meeting someone for the first time, seeing this musical would seem more rewarding if you come into it with openness, allowing its myriad characters to show you their true selves. While it’s definitely a fun few hours (and there’s little that would require long, deep thought), there’s also more to it than just poking fun at the dating scene.
For someone who’s probably a little jaded about connections, especially in this era of endless swiping, situationships, and the seemingly inescapable talking stage, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” is a little nudge to keep hoping and believing that there’s always going to be a chance to find that genuine connection.
“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” runs at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City until July 6. Directed by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo; musical direction by Ejay Yatco; set and costume design by Joey Mendoza; projection design by GA Fallarme; lights design by Meliton Roxas, Jr.; choreography by Stephen Viñas. Starring Gian Magdangal, Gabby Padilla, Krystal Kane, and Marvin Ong.
