Theater Review: Center Stage “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”

Review by Naugatuck Patch Mayor Nancy Sasso Janis

“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” is a fun musical that is the fourth show of the season at Center Stage Theatre in Shelton. Justin Zenchuck directs the cast of four talented performers.

The show features a charming book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. The vignettes cover the quest for companionship, from first dates, the challenges of commitment, the comedy of dating in the digital age and the challenges of our golden years. This is a very funny musical review to which many can relate.

The director calls this show a “delightful and insightful musical journey.” He hopes that as audiences “laugh, reflect, and perhaps even cringe at the truths revealed, you leave with a renewed appreciation for the beautiful mess that is human connection.”

The direction of Zenchuk, who has worked with Center Stage since he was a high school freshman, helps this cast of four shine throughout. Chris Conte, a recent graduate of Sacred Heart University, works with Zenchuk as assistant director. Conte, who played Man #1 in the 2023 production of this show at Sacred Heart, also served as costume designer, with colorful add ons to the basic black bases.

The four actors work hard, portraying a large number of characters in the various scenes, most of which stand independent of each other. Some of my favorite musical numbers include “Cantata for a First Date,” “I Will Be Loved Tonight,” “Always a Bridesmaid,” “I Can Live With That,” and the title song.

Jaxon Beirne, who played the role of Frank Abadnale, Jr. in “Catch Me If You Can” on this stage, takes on the roles assigned to Man #2. The multi-talented Beirne is a recent graduate of Western Connecticut State University with a BA in Theatre Arts.

Nick Nunez, a graduate of Wagner College with a BA in Theatre Performance, appears in his fourth production at Center Stage in the role of Man #1. Nunez, who brings a certain charm to all of his characters, will next be seen in the role of Sonny in the upcoming production of “In the Heights” at Downtown Cabaret.

Jen Beveridge, a talented actor that has also worked as an assistant director, stage manager and co-producer in Connecticut and New York, takes on all of the Woman #2 roles and does well with all of them.

Joelle Cote of Shelton is an occupational therapist by day, but onstage she tackles the Woman #1 roles and sing wonderfully.

The onstage band includes Music Director John Morrow on keys, Allegra Pin on bass and Jose Bastardes on violin. Morrow is currently Assistant Director of Choral Program at Sacred Heart University.

Zenchuk designed the lighting and Matthew Sullivan provided the sound design. Tammy D’Auria coordinated all of the props. The set design contains four colorful, moveable door frames.

There are many four-letter words in the script and some sexual innuendo. Performances continue through Sept. 29. Tickets are available at centerstageshelton.org.

Next up at Center Stage is “Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical with book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin Dec. 6 - 15. The 20th Anniversary season at Center Stage will be entirely comprised of musicals.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theater reviews since 2012 as a way to support local venues, and she posts well over 100 reviews each year. She became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle in 2016. Her contributions of theatrical reviews, previews, and audition notices are posted in the Naugatuck Patch as well as the Patch sites closest to the venue. She is also a feature writer and theater reviewer for the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column IN THE WINGS and theater reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the newspaper.