Camp Washington-Carver’s Family Homestyle Dinner Theater Series will serve up a hit musical for its first show of the 2005 season on Saturday, July 16, with the Charleston Light Opera Guild’s production of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” The dinner buffet begins at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
This musical comedy is about everything you have ever thought about the world of dating, romance, lovers, marriage, husbands, wives and in-laws, but were afraid to admit. The show features six cast members who assume a multitude of characters to take the audience on a musical joyride through the jungle of relationships.
“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” is currently in its ninth smash year off Broadway. Since opening in New York, it has become the most proposal-friendly show ever. To date, a young man has taken the stage 42 times to make a surprise proposal to his sweetheart. In all cases, the brides-to-be happily accepted as the audience roared with approval.
The musical is directed and choreographed by Nina Denton Pasinetti. Musical direction and piano accompaniment are by John Ellison. Joe DiPietro wrote the book and lyrics and Jimmy Roberts wrote the music.
The dinner buffet includes a selection of entrees, vegetables, salad and bread. Iced tea, lemonade, soda and coffee also will be served. At intermission, playgoers will be treated to homemade cobblers and ice cream.
The second Family Homestyle Dinner Theater Series production of the season will feature the Not-For-Profit Players’ production of Rick Lewis’s musical revue of 1950s girl groups, “The Taffetas,” on Saturday, Aug. 20. Seating is limited. Reservations are required. Tickets are $30 per person for dinner and the performance, $27 for seniors. Children five and under are free. Rough camping is available at the additional rate of $10 per site per night.
For more information about the Family Homestyle Dinner Theater Series or to make reservations for either show, call (304) 438-3005 or (304) 438-3006.
The Charleston Light Opera Guild has provided a showcase for local musical talent for more than 50 years. It began in 1948 as a non-profit group that produced popular operettas. In 1960 the Guild opened its season with “Oklahoma!”–ushering in the era of the Broadway musical. It has maintained a rich history of mainstage spring and fall musicals at its own Guild Theater on Charleston’s west side. In addition to “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” the Guild’s upcoming productions include Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” and “Cats.”
A beautiful retreat listed in the National Register of Historic Places and operated by the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, Camp Washington-Carver serves as the state’s mountain cultural arts center and nurtures the cultural heritage embodied in the site since its dedication in 1942 as a 4-H and agricultural extension camp for West Virginia’s African Americans. The camp is located adjacent to Babcock State Park just off Route 60 (Midland Trail) on Route 41 South in Clifftop, Fayette County.
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. The Cultural Center is West Virginia’s official showcase for the arts. Visit the Division’s website at www.wvculture.org for more information about programs of the Division. The Department of Arts, Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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