“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” at Kelley Theater in Stuttgart, Germany (Kelley Theater / Facebook)

Relationship are complex, confusing and often comical. For a fun look at the ins and outs of paring up, check out the Kelley Theater’s performance of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”

This unique and funny play is a series of individual vignettes within an evolving and changing story. Each scene is independent of the others, but the overarching progress parallels and highlights the milestones within the typical story arc of relationships that we all know well. Beginning with dating, and meeting the parents, it quickly delves into marriage, kids and growing old together.

Directed by Mara Earp and Michele Elmore, this show is laugh-out-loud funny. It is designed for adult viewing and takes on adult topics in a lighthearted way, so Kelley Theater has given it a PG rating and requires parental consent for attendees under 16 years old.

“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” at Kelley Theater in Stuttgart, Germany (Kelley Theater / Facebook)

As each vignette takes us along the relationship timeline, we get to laugh with (and at) the foibles and inner dialog none of us would ever admit to. In one scene, two couples are on separate dates, and we get to scoff along as each woman declares to the audience: “I’m lying!” They simultaneously pretend they are listening and care about the things their dates blab on about. As with many of the songs and scenes, the audience is in on it. The actors do a great job of switching between the fictional events and breaking the fourth wall to tell us their thoughts.

The simple stage is set with minimal props to allow us to focus on the characters and the incredible musical talent. In one vignette, we ride along with a family heading to their relative’s house. Things very quickly got real. Between the husband’s crazy driving, the wife’s nagging and the kids fighting in the back, we learn why they sing, “once we start the car, our marriage goes to hell.” It was downright hysterical.

“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” at Kelley Theater in Stuttgart, Germany (Kelley Theater / Facebook)

This funny, entertaining play is full of short stories that will keep you laughing all evening even as they delve into deeper topics. In the end we have seen relationships represented as following eighteen steps in their stereotypical trajectory. The characters experience heartbreak, pressure and experiences that fall well under expectations, but all of that is softened with comedy.  Final advice: “Find someone to love, then spend the rest of the time trying to change them.”

Book seats ahead by calling the Kelley Theater at 0711-729-3055 (DSN: 421-3055), or by visiting stuttgart.armymwr.com/programs/stuttgart-theatre-center. Kelley Theater is located in Bldg. 3320 on Kelley Barracks.