The cast of "I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change" works on a number during a recent rehearsal ahead Thursday’s Opening Night.
photo by TRP
The Ringgold Playhouse will open its first ever musical with the romantic comedy, "I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change," for an eight-performance, two-weekend run beginning this Thursday night at the historic Ringgold Depot.
Now in its 11th season, TRP officials say they’re excited for the opportunity to finally bring a musical to its stage for the community.
“We’re extremely excited about this show,” said TRP Executive Director Adam Cook. “Our Director Laurie Shaw and her team have done a tremendous job with this production, so we’re excited to finally share it with our audiences."
Under Ms.
Shaw’s direction and the musical direction of Benjamin Brown, the show takes a look at the happy, sad, comedic and crazy that people encounter in relationships.
"While TRP has become a huge success in the community over the past decade, the size of the venue, acoustics and the need for equipment upgrades has caused the company to be a little reluctant to produce a musical until now," officials said. "However, it has always been a part of the group’s long-term plans."
“I will never forget the conversation we had over chips and salsa back in November when I pitched to the TRP Executive Board the idea of (finally) doing a musical at the playhouse,” Ms. Shaw recalled. “From day one, the production team at TRP has backed this project and made my experience as a first-time director a dream. With 20 years of musical theatre performance under my belt, this show was a no brainer choice for this inaugural adventure.”
Ms. Shaw says the show might not be a household title to the casual theatregoer, but that it’s a classic that a lot of performers were excited to audition for.
“I first heard about it in college when my vocal coach at the time handed me the sheet music for "I Will Be Loved Tonight" (one of the tender moments of the show),” Ms. Shaw said. “He described it to me as a piece that ‘anyone who knows good theatre will know this show’. Over the years, although it's a lesser produced title, I've found that to be absolutely true.”
While the initial cast calls for only a few actors, Ms. Shaw said she wanted to take the show to another level with it being a first-time endeavor for TRP.
“Originally written for a cast of four, I knew I wanted our production to be bigger,” Ms. Shaw said. “During the casting process, I prayed that the ‘exact right people’ would join this endeavor, and boy have they ever. This cast is incredible. As they each tell their story up on that stage, I am reminded how rich we are with talent in this area.”
The cast features TRP veterans Renee Lierow, Levi Witt, Greg Rambin, Jennifer Barnes and Kellie Pioch, as well as newcomers making their TRP debut in Nolon Barry, Bekah Frampton, Amanda Havelin, Bria Rennick, Brittany Sawyer, Caton Taylor, Cody Robinson Steele and Haylee Meyer.
“This is a show for anyone and everyone who has been touched by love,” Ms. Shaw said. “Whether you're falling in love for the first time, navigating marriage, break-ups, having babies or grieving a love lost, you will find moments where you say ‘oh wow – I know how that feels.’”
Performances of the show will open this Thursday night and run through Sunday, July 28. Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances will take place at 7:30 p.m., with matinee performances Sunday, July 21 and Sunday, July 38 at 2 p.m. at the Ringgold Depot located at 155 Depot Street.
Tickets for all performances are $12 general admission and $10 for seniors and students. Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance online via
Nothinlikeringgold.com.
This show is Rated PG-13, and is for mature audiences only as it deals with adult relationships, sex and innuendo.
Director Laurie Shaw
photo by