Romantic Off-Broadway Musical Brings Love to OTR

Play about finding love where it’s least expected to show at Know Theatre

Know Theatre of Cincinnati is excited to announce the regional premiere of Joshua Salzman and Ryan Cunningham’s hit Off-Broadway musical I Love You Because. I Love You Because will open on Saturday, January 17 and close February 21 with two performances on Valentine’s Day.

I Love You Because is a modern day telling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Set in New York City, the six-person cast, comprised entirely of the Know Theatre's Resident Acting Company, takes the audience on an adventure through two completely different relationships between four lovably awkward characters.

When Austin, a conservative greeting card writer, discovers that his long-time girlfriend has been cheating on him, he thinks his life is over. His knuckleheaded brother Jeff immediately runs to his rescue and encourages him to play the field. In no time, the two are on a double date with best friends Marcy, a free-spirited photographer, and Diana, a number-crunching actuary. Marcy is wild and liberal and knows just how to push Austin's conservative buttons. Diana is an actuary who tries to teach Jeff to be practical in his life.

While the individuals in the relationships contrast vastly, their love develops in interesting and comedic ways. The musical tells the story of two unlikely relationships that somehow make sense, and how each of the characters learn how to let themselves fall in love again.

Director Jason Bruffy believes that Cincinnati will fall in love with I Love You Because. "It's a wickedly funny musical with enough heart to make the cynic in all of us melt," says Bruffy. "It's a perfect musical for a romantic date or a date with friends!"

I Love You Because debuted in 2005 at the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and became an immediate hit. Since then it has played across the country and internationally at Broadway Overseas Theatre in Korea (December 2007), and Royal Holloway Music Theatre Society in the United Kingdom (March 2007). Know Theatre will host the Midwest regional premiere of this internationally acclaimed musical.

I Love You Because will be directed by Artistic Director Jason Bruffy and will feature resident actors Fang Du, Courtney Brown, Daniel Hines, Jenny Guy, Ayla Ocasia, and Babs Ipaye. I Love You Because is sponsored by The Court Family Foundation.

The opening night party on Saturday, Jan. 17th will be sponsored by Rick Robertson and Tim Conway. Food will be provided by Mixx Ultra Lounge and wine will be provided by City Cellars. The opening night party starts at 7:00 pm, performance at 8:00 pm with reception to follow.


Tickets for the entire season are $12 thanks to a generous partnership with the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./US Bank Foundation, and can be obtained online at knowtheatre.com or by calling the Know Theatre box office at (513) 300-KNOW (5669).

Synopsis:

Set in New York City, this musical 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 New York dating scene, Austin meets Marcy, whose spontaneity is matched only by her ability to drive him insane. It's a comedy that explores the 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.

Bios:

Joshua Salzman (music) and Ryan Cunningham (book and lyrics) met at the NYU Tisch Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program. Their thesis musical, "I Love You Because", went on to be professionally produced Off-Broadway, earned a Drama Desk nomination for the team, spawned a cast album on PS Classics, and garnered a licensing deal with Theatrical Rights Worldwide, resulting in productions both nationally and internationally. They continue their collaboration with many projects; "Queen Esther", a family musical comedy based on the story of Purim, commissioned by the Kauffman Center; "Next Thing You Know", a song cycle currently in development with director John Simpkins; and as contributing songwriters on the Disney Channel's "Johnny and the Sprites." Their song "Just Not Now" from "I Love You Because" was featured on Lauren Kennedy's new solo album "Here and Now". Ryan and Joshua are both members of the BMI Advanced Writing Workshop, ASCAP and the Dramatist Guild.

Creative Team:

Director: Jason Bruffy
Musical Director: Michael Flohr
Lighting/Set Designer: Andrew Hungerford
Sound Designer/Engineer: Doug Borntrager
Stage Manager: Marcie Schellenberger
Assistant Stage Manager: Rachel Collins

Cast:
Austin- Fang Du
Jeff- Daniel Hines
Marcy- Courtney Brown
Diana- Jenny Guy
Man- Babs Ipaye
Woman- Ayla Ocasio