Repertory Philippines' "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" - A Review

 At last, I had a chance to fall in love (and laugh) with Repertory Philippines' "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" when it returned on stage! My husband and I were supposed to watch the said play last year during its initial run at the Carlos Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza but unfortunately, our husband had some health issues so we had to pass that chance. So when I heard about its rerun, I told myself I wouldn't miss it this time. 

For those of us who missed the first magic, or who simply need to return and relive the past, the theater gods have smiled. "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" returns, and the shared breath of relief (and thrilled squeal!) can be felt.

Gian Magdangal, Gabby Padilla and Marvin Ong

Repertory Philippines (REP) again provided a charming and engaging theatrical experience with the staging of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." This off-Broadway staple, a musical revue about the perpetually complicated life of relationships, speaks to audiences across all ages.

For me, this is no rerun; it's a cultural icon coming back to the boards. This sidesplittingly funny, acerbic, and witty musical revue, exploring the rollercoaster of contemporary relationships, has entertained audiences for generations. And now, a new audience, and old ones as well, get the opportunity to fall under its timelessness.

Krytal Kane sings "Always a Bridesmaid" that captures the sentiment of being repeatedly a bridesmaid but never a bride.

If you've ever stumbled on a first date, suffered the humiliation of cyber dating, or tried to survive the drama of commitment, "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" is speaking to you. It takes the common experience of marriage, dating, and love and turns it into a series of side-splitting sketches and catchy tunes.

The beauty of this show is in how it makes dating, romance, marriage, and everything in between so normal. The vignettes, however ridiculous, are based on real life, hence so close to anyone's heart. From the embarrassing first dates to the drama of the long-term relationship, this play covers it all.

The returning original cast including Gian Magdangal, Gabby Padilla, Krystal Kane, and Marvin Ong are very versatile when switching from one character to the many characters they each portray. Their skill in acting through all sorts of emotions, ranging from comical to tear-inducing, says a lot about their craft. The direction of Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo provides a smooth and intriguing pace throughout the show. The musical direction by Ejay Yatco, along with the live music brings the music to life and makes every scene all the more emotionally impactful.

Having a vignette style enables the show to cover a lot of what is entailed in relationships, in a tremendously fast-paced and entertaining manner. It keeps the audience engaged and enables a lot of emotions to be expressed. The show has up-to-date references, including references to online dating and social media, so it will be of interest even to millenial audiences.

So what's so interesting about this play? Let me count the ways:

The human touch that the play delves into is so very relevant. The fears, the hopes, and the idiocies of falling in love are still valid now as they always were. It has musical genius! The music is a delightful mix of toe-tapping anthems, heart-wrenching ballads, and funny musical numbers that you'll be humming along to long after the program has ended.

Everyone can relate to it. People aren't flawless and that is exactly the appeal of the show. The characters are imperfect, sarcastic, and eminently human, and their experiences touch the audience on a basic level. 

It's perfectly okay to give second chances for new discoveries. For those who missed the first run like me, this is a golden chance for you to do so because "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is such a theatrical gem. It's an opportunity to see why this play has accumulated such a dedicated following.

For first-time audiences, this rerun is an opportunity to relive the good old days and learn all over again about your first date, your many firsts, and your dating escapades. It serves as a nostalgia trip for its viewers. 

So if you're in the mood for a night of guffaws, self-discovery, and sheer theatrical pleasure, get tickets and prepare to fall for (and possibly even see reflected in a few of your own) dating horrors with "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." It's a tribute to the notion that finding love with all its bumpy and beautiful manifestations is worth honoring. And last but not least, we get to do it again.

The show pointed out the fact that everyone has the same kind of issues and pleasures in their romantic lives. It encourages you to laugh at the daily shortcomings of love and relationships. The play depicts how people transform and evolve for each other with the flow of time, and what changes in them is normal.

"I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" is a play for anyone who's ever been in a relationship, or will be one day. It's a side-splitting, heart-wrenching, and smart production that'll have you laughing with tears and pondering your own love lives. With its gifted cast, top-notch direction, and universal themes, it's a night of theatre that is definitely worth your precious time.

Catch it while you can as "I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change" will only run until March 9 at the Repertory Philippines Theatre, 4th floor of Eastwood Citywalk, Eastwood City, Quezon City. 

For show-buying, sponsorships and ticket inquiries, contact REP at 0962-691-8540 and 0966-905-4013 or send us an email sales@repphil.org and info@repphil.org, or through this link: https://linktr.ee/repertoryphilippines. Tickets will be available via Ticketworld and Ticket2 Me.

For updates and show schedules, visit www.repertoryphilippines.ph, or like and follow @repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.

REP restages hit romcom musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change for 2025

 

Marvin Ong, Krystal Kane, Gabby Padilla and Gian Magdangal make their triumphant return as 40 characters in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

After a successful run last season, Repertory Philippines (REP) kicked off their 88th Season by bringing back its successful musical comedy from 2024 I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. The show runs until March 9, 2025, at the REP Eastwood Theater in Eastwood City Walk, Quezon City.

Gian Magdangal and Marvin Ong return as Man 2 and Man 1 in I Love You

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, the longest-running off-Broadway show, is a two-act romantic musical comedy set against the backdrop of a bustling metropolis and the ever-present glow of dating apps and social media. With book and lyrics by award-winning Joe DiPietro and music by renowned composer Jimmy Brooks, this classic production was refreshed by the First Lady of Philippine Musical Theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo for its restaging in 2024.

Gabby Padilla and Krystal Kane returns as Woman 1 and Woman 2 in I Love You, You're Perfect Now Change

This fresh take on a timeless tale explores the highs and lows of love in today’s fast-paced world. Played by four actors in twenty vignettes, it covers “everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit.” From awkward first dates to courtship, marriage and the complexities of commitment, each vignette captures the essence of contemporary romance, reminding us that amidst the chaos, love and genuine connections still prevail.

The original cast of Gian Magdangal, Gabby Padilla, Krystal Kane, and Marvin Ong make their triumphant return to reprise their roles as the 40 characters, and Davy Narciso and Barbara Jance once again join the cast as male and female swings, respectively. Some of the most memorable vignettes include a hopeful I Will Be Loved Tonight before a first date; a passion-filled musing of a man still in love with his wife in Shouldn’t I Be Less I Love With You; a middle-aged woman navigating online dating in The Very First Dating Video of Rose Ritz; and the sweet, blossoming romance between senior citizens in I Can Live With That.

Since its staging, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change has been cited as one of highlights of the 2024 theater scene by critics, media, and theater fans. It has also been nominated and cited for 13 Gawad Buhay Awards and 2 Aliw Awards, including Female Lead Performance in a Musical for Krystal Kane and Gabby Padilla; Male Lead Performance in a Musical for Gian Magdangal and Marvin Ong; Outstanding Musical Direction by Ejay Yatco; Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical; Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical for Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo; and Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical. Gabby Padilla was nominated as Best Lead Actress in a Musical for the Aliw Awards 2024, while the production was nominated for Best Musical Play.

The production also boasts of an exceptional team of creatives, including Assistant Director Cara Barredo, Musical Director Ejay Yatco, Choreographer Stephen Viñas, Set and Costume Designer Joey Mendoza, Associate Costume Designer Hershee Tantiado, Lights Designer Meliton Roxas Jr., Sound Designer Aji Manalo, Projection Designer GA Fallarme, Associate Projection Designer Justin Santiago, and Graphic Designer Neo Rivera. They are supported by the adept production team of Technical Director D Cortezano, Assistant Technical Director Ria Querido, Production Manager Patricia Gregorio, Assistant Production Manager Joy Bergancia, Stage Manager Jerome Aytona, and Assistant Stage Manager Maja Desuasido. The talented musicians bringing the play to life are Conductor/Pianist Farley

Asuncion (with a few performances with Lyn Dimayuga), Guitarist Roneil Santos, Reed Player Jayson Rivera, Drummer Arvin Oh, and Bassist Ace Gonzales. “The show received great accolades, and even if it was launched in 1996, Menchu’s take made it resonant and relevant for today. There’s something for everyone here, from single folks to those who have been committed for a long time, so we’re excited to kick off our 88th Season with this hit show,” says REP President Mindy Perez-Rubio. “We’re looking forward to sharing this production to a wider audience at our new home in the REP Eastwood Theater. And we’re thrilled to unveil the rest of the 2025 lineup, promising a fantastic, robust year for REP.”

Please do read my review about this play. 

For show-buying, sponsorships and ticket inquiries, contact REP at 0962-691-8540 and 0966-905-4013 or send us an email sales@repphil.org and info@repphil.org, or through this link: https://linktr.ee/repertoryphilippines. Tickets will be available via Ticketworld and Ticket2 Me.

For updates and show schedules, visit www.repertoryphilippines.ph, or like and follow @repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.

REP goes on a love rollercoaster with I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change

 

Directed by Menchu Lauchengo-Yulo, REP's I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change takes a modern
twist on the classic exploration of love and romance. With book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro,
and music by Jimmy Roberts, this comedy musical has a cast of 40 playing characters.

How many left swipes before finding The One? Is a year-long talking stage acceptable? How to get over being catfished? With love and romance as complicated as they’ve ever been, Repertory Philippines (REP) gives us a wild ride through the phases of modern relationships as it showcases the musical comedy I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change from June 14 to July 6 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza.

With book and lyrics by award-winning Joe DiPietro, music by renowned composer Jimmy Brooks, and directed by the First Lady of Philippine Musical Theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, REP’s latest production presents a series of hilarious yet achingly familiar vignettes on connection and intimacy, commitment and loneliness. Premiering at the Westside Theatre in 1996, this 2024 staging is set in a bustling metropolis where swiping left or right is the norm—touching on things like chasing that invisible string in this era of situationships and ghosting and reigniting that spark despite all the distractions.

REP’s take on the second longest-running off-Broadway musical features a fantastic and accomplished cast of four playing 40 characters. And all are making their theater comeback with this production. Gian Magdangal, known for his versatile skills as a singer and actor, takes the stage after his standout performance in the 2022 REP production of Carousel, which earned him his second PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay award as Male Lead Performance in a Musical & L.E.A.F. Awards Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Musical. A long-time REPper, Gabby Padilla joins the quartet after garnering recent acclaim for her film roles in Billie and Emma where she got a FAMAS nod and Gitling which made her win Best Actress award at the 2nd Paragon Film Lokal Choice Awards and 4th Pinoy Rebyu Awards.

Gian Magdangal, Gabby Padilla, Marvin Ong, and Krystal Kane explore the highs and lows of love-
from awkward first dates to challenges of maintaining a long-term relationship--in REP's I Love You You're Perfect, Now Change

Krystal Kane is returning to the spotlight after a four-year hiatus. Bitten by the theater bug since she’s 10, Kane is known for her roles in The Sound of Music as Brigitta, In the Heights as Nina, Spring Awakening as Wendla and Tabing Ilog: The Musical as Jerry. Another theater comeback, PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay Awardee singer-actor-songwriter Marvin Ong, brings his remarkable talents to the stage, having previously earned accolades for his role as Toby in REP’s Sweeney Todd and achieving gold record status for his debut album. The production will be supported by swings, Barbara Jance, whom we last saw at REP’s 2023 - 2024 run of Snow White and the Prince and Davy Narciso, known for the productions under his belt with Ateneo’s Blue Repertory, he may have stepped back from theater since graduating in 2022 but now he tries to juggle it together with pushing a career in Psychology.

An exceptional team of creatives is also bringing this production to life. Assistant Director Cara Barredo, Musical Director Ejay Yatco, Set and Costume Designer Joey Mendoza, Associate Costume Designer Hershee Tantiado, Associate Set Designer Lawyn Cruz, Projector Graphics and Video Designer GA Fallarme, Lighting Designer Meliton Roxas, Choreographer Stephen Viñas, and Sounds Designer Aji Manalo are all on board to join the quest for modern love.

“With I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, we want to give audiences something they can relate to whether they’re a young romantic hit by dating app fatigue or an older couple going through the trials of marriage,” Lauchengco-Yulo explains. “Because regardless of the age or stage in love, we want this show to emphasize that despite all the problems and miscommunications, love endures—with lots of laughs and some wit on the side.”

 For show-buying, sponsorships and ticket inquiries, contact REP at 0962-691-8540 and 0966-905-4013 or send us an email at marketing@repphil.org or promotions@repphil.org or through this link: https://linktr.ee/repertoryphilippines Tickets will be available via Ticketworld and Ticket2 Me.

For updates and show schedules, visit www.repertoryphilippines.ph, or like and follow @repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.

PPO GRACES ILOILO AND CAPIZ

 

ILONGGOS and Capiznons can look forward to magical nights of musical bliss as the Cultural Center of the Philippines brings the country's leading orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, to the city of Iloilo and the province of Capiz this January.

 

In time for the annual Dinagyang Festival, the PPO, under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, takes center stage in a one-night-only concert, billed The Dinagyang Musical Concert, on January 19, 7pm, at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand in Iloilo City. The group then moves to Capiz for the Kumpas, Tunog kag Kiay sa Roxas City! outreach concert, slated on January 21, 6pm, at Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center. 

 

“As always, music enthusiasts can expect an extensive program repertoire from the PPO. We want to expand our reach to a bigger number of audiences and continue what our past CCP presidents have done in terms of doing outreach programs. Now that the CCP building is being rehabilitated for preservation and retrofitting, it is important to bring CCP to the various regions to make them feel that CCP is present.  We are bringing the soul of the CCP to a greater number of people around the country," said CCP president ad interim Michelle Nikki Junia.

 

The concerts are made possible with the support of the City Government of Iloilo, the Provincial Government of Iloilo; the Iloilo Festivals Foundation, Inc.; the City Government of Roxas, the Provincial Government of Capiz, and Uswag Ilonggo.

 

The concerts consist of two parts: the first part features classical music such as Ride of the Valkyries, Oboe Concerto in C Major, Symphony no. 4 Allegro con Fuoco, Tristch Tratsch Polka, among others, while the second part spotlights contemporary music, OPM songs, and Broadway.

 

REP CAROUSEL stars share the thrill and weight of mounting one of musical theater’s masterpieces

 

Carousel stars Karyll Tatlonghari and Gian Magdangal

How does it feel being part of a restaging of one of Broadway’s iconic musicals? For the stars of the upcoming Repertory Philippines (REP) production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CAROUSEL, the opportunity is both a thrill and a responsibility.

Sought-after theater leading man Gian Magdangal and singer, actor, and OPM royalty Karylle Tatlonghari, who are both headlining a REP show for the first time, have shared their experiences in the past months of preps and rehearsals. CAROUSEL is directed by writer, director, producer, and congressman Toff De Venecia.

“As theater actors, we are all just so enthusiastic to be given this chance to do what we’re passionate about. As for me, I couldn’t be any more grateful to be working with the best of Philippine theater,” says Karylle who plays Julie Jordan, a sweet yet naïve millworker. “I’m trying my best to keep up with them and it’s a great feeling because I’m learning a lot. My mind is expanding, and every inch of my body is excited and living in this beautiful moment. It’s been a personal rediscovery for me, too.”

“It has been an exhilarating experience, being reunited with theater friends and working with REP for the first time. We can’t wait to see what we have been preparing for the past months. It has been an out-of- the-box experience, and it feels like home at the same time,” shares Gian who plays Billy Bigelow, a

swaggering and charismatic carnival barker. “There is simply nothing like live theater.”

Repertory Philippines stages Carousel topbilled by Karylle Tatlonghair and Gian Magdangal with Toff De Venecia as director

 

Karylle Tatlonghair and Gian Magdangal topbills Repertory Philippines' Carousel

Repertory Philippines (REP) steps boldly on to a brand new stage as it re-opens its theater doors with a modern reimagination of CAROUSEL. The beloved Broadway hit musical will run from November 26- December 18, 2022 at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, making it one of the first shows to run at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ newly inaugurated black box theater.

With Music by Richard Rodgers and Book & Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Carousel became an instant hit lauded by critics and audiences alike. The original production won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Musical. Hailed by Time Magazine as the greatest musical of the 20th century, its various revivals have also won several Tony Awards. A story about a whirlwind romance between carnival barker Billy Bigelow and millworker Julie Jordan, it features some of musical theater’s most timeless music and iconic songs including If I Loved You and You’ll Never Walk Alone.

REP’s CAROUSELis directed by Toff De Venecia who is determined to bring a bold, brave vision for the new generation of theatergoers. This glorious musical masterpiece is brought to life by a star-studded cast led by singer, actress, and OPM royalty Karylle Tatlonghari as Julie Jordan and sought-after theater leading man Gian Magdangal as Billy Bigelow.

“Today, we stand on the shoulders of giants and take on the challenge of reimagining this classic musical for contemporary Filipino audiences,” De Venecia says. “Featuring new artistic voices and talent as well as post-modern perspectives, the team boldly dreams up what ‘the best musical of the 20th century’ might look like today. It’s a radical departure from previous iterations, even from what we set out to do in 2020. We draw inspiration from Filipino creativity and the words of the original choreographer and dancer Agnes de Mille – that is, ‘taking leap after leap in the dark.’ This will be the ultimate 21st century test for a 20th century text.”