Romance, dating and breakups.
Sound like a soap opera?
No -- it is the latest play being performed at the Circuit Playhouse.
The performance is "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change."
Through comedy, music and singing, four performers poke fun at the difficulties of relationships.
The set, designed by Playhouse on the Square interns Suzanne Curtis and Tim McMath, is simple with only four chairs on stage to start.
In the back of the stage, a set of painted angel wings, with a heart in the middle is displayed.
The angel wings cover a hidden bed that comes out of the wall during a simulated sex scene known as "Satisfaction Guaranteed."
As each act unfolds, additional sets are rolled in as the characters portray various roles from a couple going out on a first date to a couple breaking up.
White signs like the ones used in silent movies help transition each act.
One card said, "Funerals are for Dating."
In the "funeral" scene, a man picks up a woman at a funeral.
The two begin singing and dancing around the deceased.
Both parties know the dead person.
Circuit Playhouse costume designer Elizabeth Payne coordinated the various costumes used in the production, including the white robes used to symbolize purity during the opening and closing of the show.
The scenes are realistic and the performers play the roles well.
Lightning, designed by Playhouse on the Square intern Caroline Yacono, include blue lights on stage and one spotlight on the actor singing or speaking.
The play is written by Joe DiPietro.
He is credited with several other plays including "Over the River and Through the Woods."
DiPietro is a playwright-in-residence at American Stage Company in Teaneck, NJ., and has won an award for his mystery play, "The Art of Murder."
The musical composition is by Jimmy Roberts.
Roberts also wrote the composition for DiPietro's "Over the River and Through the Woods."
Roberts is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music and is the winner of several awards for his musical scores.
Kevin Shaw, the director, is credited with several Circuit Playhouse productions including "Falsettos," "Zara Spook," "Other Lures" and "Violet."
He has also directed "Cotton Patch Gospel" at the Germantown Community Theatre.
His choreographic credits include "Swingtime Canteen" at Circuit Playhouse and "Pageant" at Playhouse on the Square.
Be warned -- this play contains profanity and adult themes and may not be suitable for children.
The next performance is Thursday at 8 p.m. at Circuit Playhouse, 1705 Poplar.
Friday and Saturday performances are usually sold out, so reservations are needed for those days.
The play closes March 18.
Free tickets are available to students at the UC information desk.
