Director's cut: Inside 'I Love You, You're Perfect'

Director Jack Smith talks about Wheaton Drama's production of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change."

Wheaton Drama is a wonderful place to create in. Usually you can find me on the stage in a variety of roles there.

But after assistant directing on a couple of shows, I have begun directing shows I personally love. If I read the script and I laugh out loud and then get misty-eyed a few lines later, then I want to direct it.

Such is the case for "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." This is a musical revue unlike others you may have seen. Instead of featuring the music of a particular person, the show focuses on relationships throughout our adult life.

This show brings with it several challenges. First, the cast consists of two men and two women, each playing around 15 different characters of various ages. Second, you need to find four people with great voices, great comedic timing, who can move well, who can relate to an audience, and are strong enough overall to carry 25 percent of a full-length musical. Third, scenes and settings need to be created within an empty stage.

Thanks to the overall top quality of those who auditioned, we have four outstanding actors who astound me regularly with their voices and their comedic timing. Then I was blessed to have some of the most dedicated and artistic people join the production in every supporting position.

The result was an immediate "buzz" about this show that has been growing every day. This will be something special to see and these actors will be in top form from opening night.

As a director, I read the script dozens of times and had gotten images and ideas on how I wanted to see this show done. Every idea and expectation I had has been surpassed thanks to the talent level of everyone involved. We continued to build ideas off each other to create "magic" on our stage.

So if you have ever been on a first date; been dragged to a movie you did not want to go to; met someone special in an unusual place; wore a hideous bridesmaid dress; felt like you weren't attractive enough while in a singles bar; went on a bad date; found yourself hopelessly waiting for your partner; wondering why your adult children won't get married; argued about driving styles; or any other of a number of awkward situations that people find themselves in while trying to connect with another, then this show is a must see.