Emporia State University is closing its Summer Theatre season with a musical that examines how people can find love without either expectation or obvious reason.
“I Love You Because,” a musical that uses the outline of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” for a modern New York City love story, first premiered in New York just two years ago. ESU’s production opens Wednesday and runs through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall.
Director Jim Bartruff believes this performance of “I Love You Because” will be only the second in this region after the American Heartland Theatre performed it in Kansas City, Mo., last year. The story, by Joshua Salzman and Ryan Cunningham, centers on two 20-something couples seemingly made for anyone but each other.
“Because you’ve seen couples (where) one guy’s wearing a motorcycle jacket and ... she looks like a schoolteacher, and you’re like, ‘Really?’ — just some odd (pairs),” said cast member Eric Luchen. “I think the point is that love will get you, and you won’t even realize it. ‘I don’t love you because of this, or love you (because of) that — I just love you because, and I can’t tell you why.’”
Austin, played by Dylan Lewis, and Marcy, played by Emily Warren, have both just gotten out of long-term relationships. Austin’s older brother, Jeff, portrayed by Luchen, sets up a blind date for Austin and goes to a bar with him to meet Marcy and her friend Diana, played by Ashley Kobza.
Austin and Marcy click, and so do Jeff and Diana — but obvious differences soon become evident. Austin’s a straight-laced, geeky Republican partial to sweater vests, pocket protectors and a structured lifestyle, while Marci’s an artsy, liberal free spirit.
“I’m probably too close to Austin than I really ever want to admit,” Lewis said. “... The character development, so far, hasn’t been that big of a problem. I could get typecast for this part, and I’m perfectly aware of that.”
Jeff is dorky, immature and, in Luchen’s words, “likes scamming for chicks, and he uses the word ‘awesome’ more than any human ever should. ... I think he’s just a guy who doesn’t want to commit.” Diana is a hard-nosed businesswoman who lives her life by numbers, right down to a mathematical formula used to calculate how long she needs to “rebound” from her previous relationship. None of the four are looking for anything serious.
“But the show really focuses on Marcy and Austin,” Bartruff said, “and their attempts to come together, and the inevitability of distancing themselves from one another under the advice of their supposed best friends, who keep telling them the best way to avoid a new relationship is to pretend like you’re not interested.”
The cast also includes three performers who take on multiple roles: Chris Lohkamp, Amanda Mayer and Emily Young. Bartruff said the story is a blend of “Pride and Prejudice” with shades of screenwriter and director Nora Ephron’s view of the contemporary world of New York romance, seen in films like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail.”
Tickets for “I Love You Because” can be purchased at the box office by calling 341-6378 or toll-free at 877-341-6378.
New technical director Craig Moxon is making his debut on “I Love You Because,” replacing Kyle Land, who departed for Chicago following the last Summer Theatre production. Other production staff includes Lindy Bartruff, choreographer; Penny Speedie, music director; Amanda Dura, costume designer; Nancy Pontius, set design; Michael Wilke, lighting design; Tricia Stogsdill, hair and makeup; and Katie Schultz, production stage manager.