"I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change"

July 7, 2011 — Since the Papermill Theatre's former location in one of the old mill buildings in Lincoln, New Hampshire, was torn down two years ago, the North Country Center for the Arts has been staging its performances in space provided for a stage and seating in the Governor's Lodge at the nearby Loon Mountain ski area. This arrangement will continue until the new Jean's Playhouse is completed, hopefully in time for next season. With no air conditioning on a very warm night, it took a sparkling performance to get the audience to ignore their discomfort, and that's exactly what six talented young performers did tonight.

"I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" is about the absurdity of relationships from dating to marriage to child-rearing to the senior years, told mostly in hilarious song lyrics in a series of brief skits. The actors went through many costume changes and just as many changes in character without a hitch in this first-night performance. Filled with sexual references and innuendo, and some profanity, this was an adult show, but there were a number of youngsters present. I'm just glad I'm not a parent who has to answer some of the questions the show is bound to provoke from the young.

During the intermission, drinks were served on the upper level of the lodge, and we could step outside and briefly enjoy the cool mountain air under a half moon, surrounded by the Loon Mountain ski slopes. Overall, a most enjoyable evening.