Production Sponsor:
University Ice

Production Co-Sponsors:
Jennifer Bevis Chiropractic
TravelHost of Gainesville
Gainesville Opticians
Alan and Carol Squitieri
Jeff D. Shamis, American Express Financial Advisors, Inc.
Wachovia Bank

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change 

    Are you about to take a walk down the aisle? Or are you singing to the tune of D-I-V-O-R-C-E? Ever been on a first date and wished you could jump ahead to the 3rd? Found romance in your “golden years?” Or are you always a bridesmaid and never a bride? Whatever situation you’re in, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is sure to highlight it with humor and harmony because long before reality dating shows dominated the networks, this musical-comedy hit had already won America’s vote as a “perfect mating dance” (Star-Ledger). You’ll see why I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is the longest running musical revue in New York history.

    The Hippodrome State Theatre is thrilled to bring you this highly requested and hilarious “great first date show” that’s like “Seinfeld set to music” (Star-Ledger). Join our quartet of talented actors and guest director Heidi Cline for one wild and wonderful ride through the relationship jungle! We’ll take detours through dating, engagement, marriage, parenthood, divorce, widowhood and everything in-between. Through a surplus of musical styles and witty lyrics, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change explores everything you have ever secretly thought about relationships but were afraid to admit out loud: from awkward first dates (“Will my hopes be met? My fear dispel? Will I captivate or will I repel?”) to wedding bliss (“Church bells, wedding day/Dating hell gone away”) and commitment fear (“Do you swear to love and honor?/Then your bachelorhood’s a goner”). Capturing parenting dilemmas (“Once I became a parent/I became quite incoherent”), a singleton’s frustration (“Each bride has me dressed/In a gown I detest/Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”), and dating rituals in widowhood (“My ways are set/Well, people change/I find you sexy/I find you strange”), creators Joe DiPietro and Jimmy Roberts leave no stone unturned!

    This rollicking musical journey into romance and rebellion offers something for everyone. As the four actors take on over 40 roles, they treat us to a collection of scenes and songs about the difficulties and joys of relationships with music to match the mood: ballads, rock and roll, country and western, and a sexy “marriage” tango. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is a celebration of the humor and poignancy of relationships through such songs as “A Stud and a Babe”, “Single Man Drought”, “Always a Bridesmaid”, “The Baby Song”, “Shouldn’t I Be Less in Love with You?” and “I Can Live With That.”

    So, mark your calendars and bring a date (your girlfriend... your boyfriend... your husband…your wife… your ex?!?). Bring anyone who has ever visited the relationship jungle in pursuit of ideal love and get ready for a hilarious and entertaining ride! Previews June 2nd & 3rd. Opens June 4 with an extended summer “honeymoon.”

Hilarious! The most entertaining show on or off Broadway! -Gannett Newspapers	It’s Funny. It’s Witty. -New York Times
A ripping good time: a modest and happy musical comedy – nytheatre.com	It’s a Winner! – Fox TV
Saucily irreverent about love while regarding it fondly at the same time…you’re likely to find your romantic self revived – Metro West Daily News

Purchase Your Tickets Now

Congratulations!

    Mary Hausch, Hippodrome Founding member and Producing Director, received the Volunteer of the Year award for Outstanding Achievement for her work with the Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas and the Hippodrome’s Improvisational Teen Theatre (HITT) program. Using the awarding-winning principles of HITT’s peer-to-peer mentoring program, Mary has worked with teens in Antigua, Grenada, Aruba, Jamaica, and Dominica. Of an estimated 150 volunteer missions to Central America and the Caribbean this year, Mary’s volunteer efforts were singled out and honored in an awards ceremony in Tallahassee on April 5, 2004.

    Governor Jeb Bush offered his congratulations by saying “Florida is fortunate to have individuals like you who have dedicated their time and resources to the social and economic development of the Caribbean and Central America region. The bonds you forge go beyond enduring friendships, and your dedication inspires others to contribute to the goals of enhanced trade and improved agriculture, health, and environmental systems throughout the region.”

    Senator Rod Smith said, “As our area and the state have benefited in so many wonderful ways from your work at the Hippodrome, it seems very fitting that you also export your talents to assist our foreign neighbors. FAVACA informs me that you used the successful techniques developed over the years in IMPROV and the H.I.T.T. program on some of your missions. I am sure that these efforts both enriched the lives of the young people you were working with and gave them a positive opportunity to learn more about Americans in a very personal manner. I am delighted to know you ling-term commitment and efforts are being celebrated with this award. You have my appreciation and best wishes for continuing success in all your endeavors.”

    The Florida Association for Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas, Inc. (FAVACA), is a private not for profit organization formed in 1981 by Florida Governor (now U.S. Senator) Bob Graham. FAVACA's Florida International Volunteer Corps is the only program of its kind in the country. Each year volunteer missions are sent to Central America and the Caribbean. To date, more than 1000 volunteer missions to 25 nations and territories of the region have been conducted. FAVACA Corps volunteers donate their time and skills on short-term technical assistance missions to help Florida's neighbors help themselves.

    The relationship between the Hippodrome Theatre and FAVACA extends back to 1996 when the HITT team of Mary Hausch and Education Director Bonnie Harrison visited Antigua. Through the years Mary and the Hippodrome staff have helped over 1,000 teenagers in 8 islands of the Caribbean.












    It is time to kick off your shoes and enjoy a hot time in our sizzling city with the Hippodrome’s Red Hot Party. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is the hilarious, off Broadway hit that promises to take Gainesville by storm. The heat is on at the Hipp and you can be part of the opening festivities for this “saucily irreverent” musical. It is time to get dressed up and get down. So come out and sizzle at our Red Hot Party.

    The Red Hot Party will start at 7pm on June 3rd, 2004 with a chic cocktail hour that will tantalize the senses. Sidney Bertish will tickle the ivories while you partake of wine, beer, and fabulous catering. Throughout the evening, door prizes from local Gainesville Businesses will be given away. You will see a special performance of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. The grand finale will include a Champagne Toast with all the stars of the show including Hippodrome’s guest director Heidi Cline, the cast, and the crew after the performance and the drawing for the Grand prize of the evening - a retreat to the lovely Laurel Oak Inn. Join us for an exciting evening of music, food and fun.

ADD Details from Postcard (don’t put RSVP date) & add image…





    The War of the Worlds found its world premiere here at the Hippodrome. I am so proud to have been able to share this original piece with the Hippodrome audiences here in my own artistic home. The show is now in the process of being textured, tweaked and packaged for its second incarnation.

    When I started on this show, I knew that the outcome would be challenging for the audience. The abstract, non-linear, image-driven performance style would be embraceable for some…and not for others. I learned so much from all of you who shared your thoughts with me about this show. I had people walking up to me in restaurants, at coffee shops, on the street, etc. eager to chat, praise, criticize and debate the theme and style of this show. For all of you who took the time to offer constructive criticism…..I thank you!!

    Our ONE CITY, ONE STORY project, headed each year by Tammy Dygert, encouraged many of our citizens to pick up Mr. Wells’ classic novel. This idea of an entire community reading the same book was mostly apparent in the younger audiences who attended the performance. Our theatre was full of middle and high school aged students. At the end of the performance, these young people were present for a talkback led by Tammy Dygert and attended by each actor in the production. What a feeling of community…as each generation present discussed the numerous themes inside the complex and prophetic writings of Mr. H.G. Wells.

Here are some multi-generational comments about The War of the Worlds:

"The production was very provocative to look at and experience."
Dr. David Young, professor UF Department of Theatre and Dance

"The production qualities were, as usual, excellent. Staging and set design, costumes, lighting, music, and all special effects were unique and interesting...often shocking. The acting was also excellent. You definitely succeeded in making powerfully dramatic statements, and inspiring further investigation into the book and its subject."
Marjorie Abrams, local writer

"The War of the Worlds was magnificent and wonderful in many ways. The show made me feel involved. This interpretation was unique and innovative."
Jamie Gebhardt, Buchholz High School student

"I wasn’t expecting the play to be anything like it was, but turned out to be very good and original."
Danielle, Buchholz High School student

"In the Hippodrome play, it showed kids playing war games at a young age. My brother is three and loves watching movies that have fighting in them. I think the story was trying to find another way of solving problems."
Callie Doles, Hoggetown Middle School student

"I’m glad to have gotten a chance to see the play and to read the book in this One City, One Story project. The play at the Hippodrome was thought-provoking…it brought up ethical questions."
Manisha Ranade, local engineer and mother

"I thought it was beautifully put together and layered, almost like a fugue."
Dr. Ralf Remshardt, professor and dramaturg UF Department of Theatre and Dance





    Register now for Summer Spectacular! Class space is limited and filling up fast so sign up today and give your child the most memorable vacation ever!
    Summer Spectacular classes give students an inside view of the theatre in a great professional environment right here at the Hippodrome. For more information log onto our website at http://thehipp.org/classes.html or call Marcia Brown at 373-5968.

Summer Spectacular
(ages 7-12)
A great summer experience for young actors

    This Summer Spectacular will give your child an opportunity to explore the wonderful world of fairy tales in their production of Tangled Tales. Tangled Tales, originally produced on the Hipp’s Mainstage in 1996, weaves together all your favorite fairy tales, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Bean Stock and many other tales into an adventure that your child will always remember.

    That’s not all…In this great eight hour a day, four week theatre arts camp, young artists will explore acting, dance, audition techniques; lighting, costume, and set design; acting for video and television production. The classes are taught by experienced theatre artists and include workshops with the theatre’s award winning artistic staff.

    The camp will wrap up with their performance of Tangled Tales on the Hippodrome stage where young actors share their talents with family and friends.

Class Act
(ages 13-17)
A great summer experience for older actors

    Class Act will give older students a chance to perform in Revenge of the Space Pandas by David Mamet, originally produced on the Hipp’s Mainstage in 1981. This interplanetary space comedy will be a fun filled adventure that will stay with your teen long after the summer has ended.

    Teen actors will also learn everything they need to know about professional theatre process in this eight hour a day, four week summer camp. Students learn all about play production including marketing, props, lighting, set and costume design. Workshops include acting, dance, and audition techniques as well as acting for video and television production. The classes are taught by experienced theatre artists and include workshops with the theatre’s award winning artistic staff. The grand finale is a crowd pleasing performance of the Revenge of the Space Pandas for family and friends on the Hippodrome stage.

Session 1: June 7-July 2, 2004
9am to 5pm
Total Cost: $550

Session 2: July 12- August 6, 2004
9am to 5pm
Total Cost: $550

Don’t wait…call Marcia Brown at 373-5968 or email edudept2@thehipp.org now to register Also add 2-3 pictures from previous Summer Specs




   The 10th Anniversary of the Hippodrome State Theatre’s Florida Teen Playwright Festival was a huge success! Under the direction of University of Florida Master of Fine Arts students, the three winning plays were performed at the Hippodrome for more than 150 people. All three playwrights were in attendance and enjoyed the opportunity to take the stage to discuss their new works during our talkback session. The actors, directors, designers, and crew were finally able to meet face to face with the writers and converse about the entire theatrical process from writing to performance. Thanks to all the hardworking cast and crew for providing these young writers the opportunity to see their works come to life on the stage for the first time.

Last Updated: Tuesday May 18th, 2004