Syracuse University Drama’s final show of the season, ‘I Love You Because,’ charms with a powerful cast that easily tackles the themes of love in today’s world.

Writers Joshua Salzman and Ryan Cunningham dubbed ‘I Love You Because’ a modern-day musical love story. Consider it a 1990s sitcom put to a Broadway soundtrack — ‘Friends’ meets ’42nd Street.’ That wouldn’t be too far from reality, as it opened as an off-Broadway show in 2006, on Valentine’s Day no less.

The plot of the show is simple: Love is difficult, and living in New York City only complicates that. Austin (Matthew Hazen McGuire) is a greeting card writer down on his luck after he finds his girlfriend cheating on him. Luckily, his brother Jeff (Christian Leadley) decides it’s time for Austin to get back in the game. Meanwhile, Marcy (Angela Travins) has just ended her 27th relationship. Her friend Diana (Hannah Corneau) decides Marcy should find a horrible man to be her rebound. Thus, the four characters meet through the power of online Jewish dating and love begins its series of twists and turns.

At first glance, the show’s premise seems a little overdone. We’ve all seen it before: Boy is lonely, boy meets girl, boy likes girl, girl likes boy, oh wait, no she doesn’t, oh wait, yes she does, happy ending. With a concept so engrained in American pop culture, the story could be all too familiar. But 20 minutes in, it’s clear the show is anything but.

The script, to say the least, is a witty quintessential New York City love story. The characters, the dialogue and even the sexual tension draw the audience to the show. And if that’s not enough, the music is catchy and cute with songs that sound more like a conversation with the audience than a lecture on love.

But a stellar musical is nothing without a stellar cast. Of the six actors, there is no weak link. Matthew Hazen McGuire, a junior musical theater major, is endearing as Austin, the hopeless romantic. McGuire’s Austin is heartfelt, but controlled. The audience has a sense that McGuire is truly invested in the part. There’s a little bit of Austin in everyone — the guy who just wants someone to love him back but doesn’t know how to express himself beyond making grand similes.

Thanks to McGuire, the musical’s theme of finding love where you least expect it is ever present. When in both triumph and confusion, McGuire belts — and he belts — and chills take over.
Angela Travins, a junior musical theater major, also scores big as the beautiful bohemian Marcy. Travins’ high notes are dreamy, and her chemistry with McGuire is totally believable.
Christian Leadley, a junior musical theater major, portrays the character Jeff. He is lovable with flouncing hair and a charismatic smile that wins him his scenes. His musical numbers are some of the show’s most memorable.

Leadley’s counterpart, junior musical theater major Hannah Corneau, also lights up the stage with her quick tongue and comedic timing. Her ‘Pirates of Penzance’-inspired ‘The Actuary Song’ is hilarious and performed to a tee. But the strongest points for Corneau and Leadley appear when the two duke it out in a rough-and-tumble romantic roller coaster.

Even the two smallest parts of the show — the New York City Man and New York City Woman — who each embody a number of characters, are completely captivating. Junior musical theater majors Gregory Dassonville and Mia Michelle McClain execute David Lowenstein’s engaging choreography and comedic pieces in scene-stealing fashion. Dassonville’s expressive eyebrows speak more than most mouths can, and McClain’s physical precision stands out.

The set design by Julia Correia, a senior scenic design major, is dynamic and interesting with things moving and popping out of all directions. Senior lighting design major Evan Gannon’s light design is, in a word, breathtaking. The backlight over the skyline sets a tone for each scene in a way nothing else could.

Ultimately, ‘I Love You Because’ is a tremendous, feel-good success that is full of vibrancy and enchantment.

gmillerj@syr.edu

 

Published on May 2, 2010 at 12:00 pm