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I Love You Because
Music by Joshua Salzman and book/lyrics by Ryan Cunningham
Directed by Michael McKelvey
Featuring Andrew Cannata, Sarah Marie Curry, Amy Downing, Stephen Jack, Tyler Jones and Haley Smith
Romantic musical comedy, Texas premiere
June 9-26, 2011
A modern-day musical love story. Set in New York City, this sweet and quirky romantic comedy follows Austin Bennet, a young greeting card writer, whose life is turned upside down when he finds his girlfriend with another man. Forced back out into the treacherous urban dating scene, Austin meets Marcy, whose spontaneity is matched only by her ability to drive him insane. I Love You Because explores the bewildering rules and nuances of dating and reminds us that true romance is learning how to love someone, not in spite of their differences, but because of them.
The Texas premiere is brought to life by Dr. Michael McKelvey, whose previous Penfold productions, The Last Five Years and John & Jen, won the Austin Critics’ Table Awards for Best Musical in 2009 and 2010. This will be one of Dr. McKelvey’s last projects in Austin before moving to Pittsburgh in the fall.
Our friends at the Austin Creative Alliance dropped in for rehearsal to interview the cast and record some footage from the show. You can visit our YouTube channel to see why they said I Love You Because should "definitely not be on your list of things you didn't see this year."
Click the image below to see production photos of the show by Will Hollis Snider.
"This production is solid on all fronts. An all-around stellar cast makes it unflinchingly entertaining. I Love You Because is worth seeing for the songs alone. [Yet] there are also moments of sincere beauty."
-Austin American-Statesman
"The actors don't wear microphones, so you hear pure unamplified human sound. It is a joyous thing, and what wonderful voices to hear. The songs are catchy and the numbers are both laugh-hard funny and often touching. You'll love it!"
-Austin Chronicle
"Pure enchantment. Penfold takes no prisoners, holds nothing back. You WILL want to see it again... And again... And again... It's that good!"
-Now Playing Austin
"A MUST SEE. Get your ticket while you still can. Loved it, loved it, loved it."
-Now Playing Austin
B. Iden Payne Award winner, Outstanding Lead Actor, Andrew Cannata
B. Iden Payne Award winner, Outstanding Lead Actress, Haley Smith
B. Iden Payne Award nomination, Outstanding Production
B. Iden Payne Award nomination, Outstanding Direction, Michael McKelvey
B. Iden Payne Award nomination, Outstanding Featured Actress, Amy Downing
B. Iden Payne Award nomination, Outstanding Music Direction, Michael McKelvey
Austin Chronicle's Top 10 Theatrical Wonders of 2011
