This timeless and topical musical comedy opens Thursday, Sept. 14 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 1
Miramar Beach, Fla. (Sept. 5, 2017) — Emerald Coast Theatre Company (ECTC) launches its fifth anniversary season on the Northwest Florida Gulf Coast with a hilarious musical comedy — the first ECTC has produced on its Professional Main Stage.
“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” with music by Jimmy Roberts, book and lyrics by Joe Dipietro opens the season Sept. 14, 2017 and runs through Oct. 1, 2017.
ECTC artistic producing director Nathanael Fisher directs the talented four-member cast that includes Fort Walton native Marcellis Cutler returning from central Florida where he performed with Orlando Repertory Theatre and Walt Disney World to perform (Robert); Hope Golds (Jennifer) making her ECTC debut after graduating with a BFA in acting from University of Florida where she appeared most recently as Regan in “King Lear,” Athena in “The House of Altreus;” Brian Hilario (Jordan) a graduate of Gulf Coast State College where he portrayed Jack Worthing in “The Importance of Being Ernest” and Harry in “The Explorer’s Club” for Nine Muses Theater, and Mckenzie Pollock (Melissa) who recently played Guinevere in “Camelot” and Missy in “The Marvelous Wonderettes” for Carey Dinner Theatre.
Live music accompaniment for this production is provided by Celia Villacres with music direction by Mary Jetter. Set design is by Rebecca Lake; costumes are by Anna Fisher with technical direction by Cory Tucker.
Presented in a series of vignettes, this romantic romp is connected by the central theme of the love and relationships we experience over the course of our lives. A musical comedy with everything you ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, lovers, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit. This production runs 120 minutes and is appropriate for ages 13 and up due to some mature themes and language.
The second longest running Off Broadway musical (1996-2008), “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical in 1997. The New York Times called it “timeless” and “topical,” and the Chicago Tribune hailed it as “crowd pleasing.”
“There are so many parts of this romantic comedy musical that my wife, Anna, and I can relate to. It doesn’t matter if you are in your 20s or in your 80s, this musical is relatable in many fun and funny ways,” said ECTC producing artistic director Nathanael Fisher.
The performance schedule for “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” is Thursday (Sept. 14 is opening night) through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. in ECTC’s space located upstairs at 560 Grand Boulevard in Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, located in Miramar Beach, Florida.
Theater patrons are encouraged to come early (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) to browse artwork by local artists showcased in the ECTC Lobby Gallery curated by artist Lori Drew, founder of Lowkylzart. A portion of proceeds from each sale benefits ECTC and its education outreach and scholarship programs.
Ticket prices are $30 for adult, $26 for senior, $22 students and can be purchased online at EmeraldCoastTheatre.org, or by calling (850) 684-0323.
“This fifth-year season is such an exciting time for Emerald Coast Theater Company,” said ECTC producing artistic director Nathanael Fisher. “It is thrilling to be presenting programming for the whole community — we truly have something for any age. We are grateful to our community for its unwavering support of our growing theater company and invite everyone to come join as we celebrate our first offering of the 2017-18 season.”
ECTC is a non-profit professional theater company founded by Nathanael Fisher, MFA, and his wife, Anna, in 2012 with a mission to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast community through professional and educational theater. After five years, ECTC has clearly established itself as a professional theater company focused on staging thought-provoking productions, festivals and creative collaborations as well as a valued community resource for professional acting, improv workshops and even creative corporate team building.
The remainder of the 2017-18 season includes “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle, adapted by John Glore Dec. 7-23, 2017; “The Amish Project” by Jessica Dickey, a 90-minute docudrama January 18-28, 2018; and the A.R. Gurney’s “Sylvia,” a modern romantic comedy about a marriage and a dog, Feb. 15-March 4.
ECTC’s Professional Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) 2017-18 season will features three productions: “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley,” Oct. 13-28; “A Mark Twain Storybook,” Jan. 26-Feb. 3 and “Aesop’s Fables” April 6-14. All TYA performances are held on Friday and Saturdays at 10 a.m. at 560 Grand Boulevard, upstairs. Tickets are $10. (Student and group discounts are available.)
ECTC’s 2017-18 Educational Theatre program also is in full swing. For more information on the dates, times and tuition for Fall and Spring after school programs, as well as the newly established ECTC Junior Thespians Chapter, visit EmeraldCoastTheatre.org and click on the “Educational” tab.
Season subscriptions and individual tickets for all 2017-18 Main Stage productions are now on sale online at EmeraldCoastTheatre.org.
ECTC’s fifth anniversary season is made possible with the generous support of Isidro Dunbar Modern Interiors, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin and St. Joe Community Foundation. Special thanks to ECTC Lodging Partner Howard Hospitality. The ECTC VIP Lounge is courtesy of Isidro Dunbar Modern Interiors.
To make a tax-deductible donation, become a member, volunteer or learn more about Emerald Coast Theatre Company, find them on Facebook, call (850) 684-0323 and visit www.emeraldcoasttheatre.org.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Follow this link to images of the “I Love You” cast, founders, theater and graphic art of the 2017-2018 season.
ABOUT EMERALD COAST THEATRE COMPANY
Emerald Coast Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) founded in 2012 by Nathanael Fisher, MFA, and his wife, Anna Fisher. Based in Miramar Beach, Florida, ECTC’s mission is to enrich and entertain the Emerald Coast community through professional and educational theater. ECTC operates year-round with a two-fold mission to provide both educational and professional offerings to the Northwest Florida community. Educational outreach includes after school and home-school programs, touring and staged productions, summer camps, workshops and classes. The professional theater efforts are focused on thought provoking productions, festivals and collaborations as well as acting and improv workshops and classes for adults.
