Arts & Entertainment

Raue Brings Chemistry to 'I Love You'

The Williams Street Repertory's "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" opens Feb. 10.

Some celebrate Valentine's Day because of all the romance it can bring. Then some celebrate the Hallmark holiday because they think it's just so disgustingly ridiculous.

The in hopes to gather both demographics when they open the musical "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" Friday night.

The production is the third installment for the Williams Street Repertory, which is in its inaugural season. The in-house acting group, known at the theater as WSREP, kicked off the season with a dynamic performance of Rocky Horror and followed it with the hilarious Santaland Diaries over the holidays.

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The cast for "I Love You" is composed of only four people: Christopher Davis, Amy Ferraro, Amanda Flahive and Mark Mahallak.

Davis — who has performed with the Citadel Theatre in Lake Forest, Clockwise Theatre and Six Flags Great America — said he is enjoying being part of WSREP.

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"It's amazing," Davis said, a Woodstock native. "We all get along so well. This has really been a great experience."

Flahive — who has performed at the Elgin Summer Theatre, Theatre 7, The Summer Music Theatre and in the Raue's "Rocky Horror"  — said the bond between the actors should be apparent to the audience.

"I'm so thrilled to be a part of the Williams Street Rep," Flahive said. "We are a true ensemble. The chemistry is unbelievable. It's not pretend. People will be able to see that."

The show is written by playwright/lyricist Joe DiPietro and composer Jimmy Roberts. The Raue's production is directed by Regina Belt.

The show is about everything involved in dating and relationships, including the ridiculous and obvious.

"These are songs for universal situations," Flahive said. "Everybody should be able to relate to something."

The "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" cast will take the Raue Center stage at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 and 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11.

For tickets, visit the Raue Center's website here, call (815) 356-9212 or visit the at 26 N. Williams St. in Crystal Lake.


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