Review: Hartland Players Give Witty, Relatable Performances in 'I Love You'

The Hartland players will debut their latest musical, , on Friday night at the Hartland Music Hall. Showtime is 8 p.m.

But this play isn’t for everyone. 

It’s only for those people who have ever been in a relationship or thought about being in a relationship.

This adult show is a witty, funny exploration of relationships and the things many people want to say about dating or marriage, but sometimes never do. 

Through “snapshot” scenes and songs, the talented cast acted out moments many couples, young and old, can relate to, recognize and laugh about.

From first date conversations where women catch themselves lying about playing golf to one man’s honest reaction of being forced to watch a romantic movie with his date, this play lets the audience laugh about some of the universal pitfalls that many couple experience.

One of the best parts of this performance, however, was watching the cast transform themselves into new characters from scene to scene, with the audience never knowing what to expect.

Actor Kevin Whitehead, in particular, shows his versatility by appearing as an overzealous father on the verge of hearing his son’s engagement announcement to several scenes later, showing up as a crazy inmate serving seven life sentences for murder. 

Or cast member Lisa Fuente-Purdy who matched Whitehead’s performance as his equally zealous wife and then transforming a scene later into every pajama-wearing, pizza-ordering, relatable female who rejoices over getting a phone call from a man on the day he said he would call. 

The cast also shows off their vocal talents with cast member Mary Jo Bell giving the musical performance of the evening with a sweet rendition of I Will Be Loved Tonight. It was a beautifully performed solo with the perfect amount of emotion that will have every female in the audience letting out a gentle sigh of understanding.

The show was directored by Bill Brezina, Connie Lee and Bob Hachlinsk. The cast includes Mary Jo Bell, Bill Brezina, Bobby Clark, Lisa Fuente-Purdy, Savannah Lee, Anthony Parsons, Brian Pierce, Jennie Ross, Justin Schnute, Jenifer Thomas, Carol Warren, Kevin Whitehead and Janet Winn.

Show times for I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5 and 6 and Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students For more information, call (810) 632-5849 or visit the group's website at www.hartlandplayers.org.