If you’re a Jane Austen fan at Know Theatre’s regional premiere of the 2006 musical I Love You Because, you’ll feel as if you know this story. In fact, composer Joshua Salzman and lyricist Ryan Cunningham co-opted the plot of Pride and Prejudice, reversing the central characters’ genders. If you don’t know the novel, fear not: You’ve heard this story before — break-ups, rebounds and opposites attracting. The show is ideally suited to Know’s young, urban audiences.
Meticulous greeting-card writer Austin (Fang Du) and his slovenly but good-natured brother Jeff (Daniel S. Hines) share an apartment. When Austin’s long-term girlfriend cuts him loose, Jeff crassly advises testing the waters. Their first victims are roommates Diana (Jenny Guy), a daffy actuary, and Marcy (Courtney Brown), a free-spirited photographer who’s just ended a relationship. Nothing seems promising on a first meeting via a dating service.
The show continues through Feb. 21.
Read Rick Pender's full review here.
