Arts & Entertainment

Musical Comedy Revue

International City Theatre launches its 41st season with “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” the wildly popular musical comedy revue, featuring book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro and music by Jimmy Roberts, that takes a witty, honest and affectionate look at modern love in all its complicated glory.

Barry Pearl directs the three-week engagement, with music direction by Daniel Gary Busby and choreography by Becca Sweitzer. Performances take place Feb. 20 through March 8 at ICT’s home in the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.

By turns endearing, hilarious and deeply relatable, the musical explores the thrills and pitfalls of dating, romance, marriage and long-term commitment, from first dates and second guesses to in-laws and everything in between, capturing nearly every stage of romantic life with warmth and humor.

“This show is funny, poignant and will resonate with everyone,” says Pearl. “No matter your age or relationship status, you’ll see yourself somewhere onstage, in the excitement, the awkwardness, the heartbreak and the joy. “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” celebrates how messy and miraculous it is to connect with another human being.”

The cast features four accomplished triple-threat performers portraying more than 40 characters across a fast-moving series of scenes and songs. They are Michael Deni (“Mamma Mia!” at the Hollywood Bowl; “Ragtime” at the Pasadena Playhouse; Beast in Beauty and the Beast at Moonlight Amphitheatre), Will Riddle (“The Buddy Holly Story” at Musical Theatre West; “Million Dollar Quartet” for 5-Star Theatricals, Musical Theatre West and Ensemble Theatre Company), Erika Schindele (“A Christmas Carol” at South Coast Rep; “I’m Getting My Act Togethr” at Laguna Playhouse) and Whitney Kathleen Vigil (“Cabaret” at 5-Star Theatricals; “The Wedding Singer” and “Footloose” at The Colony).

“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” is the second longest-running off-Broadway musical and the longest-running revue in off-Broadway history. The show premiered in 1995 at New Jersey’s American Stage Company. During one early performance, an audience member famously shouted, “This is my life!”, a moment that confirmed the creators had tapped into something universal. Since then, the show has been produced on five continents, translated into 13 languages and inspired countless real-life marriage proposals, all met with enthusiastic audience approval.

The ICT creative team includes set designer Stephen Gifford, lighting designer Maren Taylor, costume designer Kim DeShazo, sound designer Hunter Moody; and prop designer Patty Briles. Casting is by Michael Donovan, CSA and Richie Ferris, CSA. The stage manager is Donna R. Parsons.

Barry Pearl is an award-winning actor, director and producer, best known for his role as “Doody” in Paramount’s iconic film “Grease.” His Broadway credits include “The Producers,” “Bye Bye Birdie,” “Oliver!” and “Baby It’s You.” His regional directing credits include “Crazy Time,” “Gift of the Magi,” “Nighthawks,” “Grease,” “13 the Musical,” “Camp Rock,” “All Shook Up” and “Footloose.”

“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” runs on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $56 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, except opening night (Friday, Feb. 20), and $59 on opening night and at Sunday matinees. Low-priced tickets to previews are $44.

International City Theatre is located in Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center’s Beverly O’Neill Theater at 330 East Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802.

‘Gem of the Ocean’

August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play, “Gem of the Ocean,” is now playoing at the Long Beach Plalyhouse through March 21. It is part of the playwright’s Pittsburg Series of ten shows set in that town. Set in 1904, the play’s title is a reference to a legendary slave ship of the same name that becomes the vehicle for characters to go back in time to visit the home of their ancestors. The story blends naturalism, mysticism and magical realism to explore the experience of a Black community at the turn of the 20th century. In 2005, it was nominated for five Tony Awards, including Best Play.

The show’s characters include Aunt Ester, the family’s fiery matriarch who is 285 years old, Solly Two Kings, who was born into slavery and scouted for the Union Army, and Citizen Barlow, a young man from searching for a new life, and redemption.

Sean Gray, the Playhouse’s Producing Artistic Director note, “Much of the play’s narrative is driven by a man named Garret Brown who chooses to die rather than be wrongfully arrested for stealing a bucket of nails, a crime he didn’t commit. To escape the law, he jumps into the river and drowns. From this event, the mill at which Garret Brown worked is thrown into chaos that extends to the entire community.”

Executive Director Madison Mooney, added, “It’s an unsettling but compelling story filled with humor and heart that is a touchstone for everything else that Wilson has written. His genius is telling complex stories in a way that’s earthy, honest and impossible to forget.”

For Gray, the obvious choice for director was Rovin Jay, whose impressive track record with shows at the Playhouse including last year’s The Piano Lesson. Jay is a veteran of the theater scene with more than 20 years’ experience. He is a graduate of CSU Fullerton’s theater arts program, and his work can be seen in shows through the area. He is also a live entertainment show director at Knott’s Berry Farm and serves on the Playhouse Board of Directors.

Mooney added, “Rovin always brings special touches to his work. The Piano Lesson was one of last year’s most popular productions. Not only did several performances end with standing ovations, patrons walked out of the theatre praising the show and the actors. I expect audiences will have the same response to Gem of the Ocean.”

The show’s seven-member cast include six actors making their Playhouse debut, Daphne Jones, Asim Rashad, Deacon Hampton, Chaunice Hendking, Dan White and Gary Gibson. Returning is Bob Baumsten.

About the show, Mooney said, “Audiences will love every moment of this show. Don’t miss it.”

This production is sponsored by The Port of Long Beach

 Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

Performances are 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday, 3-8 p.m. and Sundays, 1-2 p.m. on scheduled matinees.

MTW’s New Officers

Musical Theatre West, one of the largest and most respected theatrical production companies in Southern California, announced its 2026 board of directors, led by Suzie Price as president, alongside Joel Fierberg as treasurer and Charles Mariano as secretary. Together, the new executive board leadership team brings deep civic, financial and arts education expertise to guide the organization into its next chapter.

Leading that vision as board president, Price brings decades of public service, legal expertise and nonprofit involvement to the role. She previously served as the Long Beach Third District Councilwoman from 2014 to 2022, during which time she chaired several key bodies including the Public Safety Committee, the Los Cerritos Wetlands Authority, the Port and Infrastructure Committee, and the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority. She also served for eight years on the City of Long Beach Budget Oversight Committee.

Price holds a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach, and a Juris Doctor from Santa Clara Law School. She began her legal career as a deputy district attorney in Ventura County before joining the public entity law firm Woodruff, Spradlin & Smart, where she represented more than 17 cities and public agencies. She later joined the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, where she currently serves as a senior assistant district attorney and member of the executive team overseeing branch court operations. A small business owner in Belmont Shore, Price is deeply involved in the Long Beach community through her work with several nonprofit organizations and lives in Long Beach with her husband, Mark, and their two sons.

“I am looking forward to leading our board through another extraordinary season of musical theatre productions and educational outreach programs for our K-12 students,” shared Price. “I am excited to work alongside our MTW staff and 75th anniversary committee to plan a spectacular 75th season.”

Joining Price on the Executive Committee, Joel Fierberg steps into the role of treasurer, bringing extensive financial leadership and a lifelong connection to music and the arts. A retired CFO with decades of experience in mid-sized manufacturing companies, Fierberg has been an MTW season subscriber since 2013 and has served on the organization’s Audit Committee since 2018 and Finance Committee since 2022, currently as chair. A UCLA music graduate, he has spent nearly 30 years as music director of the UCLA Alumni Band and remains actively engaged in arts mentorship and civic leadership throughout Long Beach.

Returning to the board as secretary, Charles Mariano rejoins MTW after previously serving as a board member beginning in 2017. Mariano’s connection to MTW is both professional and personal: his children have performed in MTW productions and Broadway in the Park, and he currently serves as president of the Musical Theatre Guild for Huntington Beach High School’s Academy for the Performing Arts. He works as a vice president in corporate and specialty banking and brings a strong commitment to arts education and community engagement.

The 2026 board also reflects continuity and institutional knowledge, with Cynthia Terry, who previously served two terms as board president, now holding the role of past president. Jane Netherton, also a former president, continues her service as member at large, and Jana Kelly serves as chair of the Governance Committee.

Musical Theatre West is governed by a 23-member board of directors, supported by an emeritus board, providing strategic leadership and oversight to advance the organization’s mission of artistic excellence, community connection and access to musical theatre for audiences of all backgrounds.

For more information, a full line-up of performances, and additional details on Musical Theatre West visit https://musical.org.

‘Crabs in a Bucket’

California Repertory Company (CalRep) at California State University, Long Beach invites audiences to see “Crabs in a Bucket,” March 18-28, which explores the tension between ambition and social struggle. We see characters trapped in a cycle of competition, sabotage and systemic inequality.

Utilizing sharp dialogue and strong physical movement, “Crabs in a Bucket” offers a powerful commentary on the pressures that shape our lives and challenges audiences to reflect on the complex dynamics of humanity and what it means to succeed.

CalRep Theatre is thrilled to welcome back two alumni of our department: Carolina Montenegro (who has most recently been seen in “General Hospital” and “Teen Wolf: The Movie”) and Turner Munch (who has most recently directed multiple episodes of “Barbie Doll Adventures”) as directors for this piece.

Tickets for “Crabs in a Bucket” are on sale now. For tickets or more information, visit www.csulb.edu/theatre-arts or call (562) 985-4500.

Ken Medema to Perform

The First Congregational Church of Long Beach, located at 3rd & Cedar in downtown Long Beach, will welcome singer and pianist Ken Medema for a concert benefitting the Urban Community Outreach (UCO) Drop-In Center on Saturday, March 14th at 7pm in the Sanctuary.

Ken Medema has been performing in the US, Canada and Europe for more than 50 years. He was born blind and started playing the piano at age 5. At 8 years old, he began taking piano lessons through Braille music, playing by ear and improvising in different styles.

Ken majored in music therapy at Michigan State University, studying both piano and voice. After graduating, he worked as a music therapist. At the hospital where he was working in New Jersey, he began performing and recording his own songs, The teenagers with whom he was working inspired him to write songs that told their stories. He continues to write songs and improvise new material during every performance. Those improvisations are inspired by themes suggested by the specific event.

This event will benefit Urban Community Outreach’s Drop-In Center. UCO’s mission is to promote the interests and welfare of homeless people – or at risk of homelessness – in Long Beach, by providing a safe space, hot cooked meals, medical assistance and basic necessities every Sunday. They also offer rental assistance and help with finding employment.

Tickets for this event are available at https://www.ucodic.org/events and are $40 for general admission and $30 for seniors & youth.

First Congregational Church of Long Beach is a 1914 historic landmark and sits at the corner of “Arts & Justice” as a local leader in social justice & outreach initiatives, and has a passion for bringing music and art events to the downtown Long Beach area. The church invites the greater Long Beach community to be part of its 10am services every Sunday at 241 Cedar Avenue. For more information, visit First Church online at www.firstchurchlb.org.

For reasonable ADA accommodations, contact the church office at 562-436-2256. Parking info is at www.parklb.com.

‘Black Mosaic’

This Black History Month, the Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine (PRM) will once again host performances of “Black Mosaic,” a free music and dance showcase that celebrates and honors the history and contributions of the Black community – this year featuring local elementary school students. The community is encouraged to attend one of three performances happening this month.

“Black Mosaic” is a collection of literature, poetry, music and plays that illuminate the richness of Black history and culture through creative and engaging performances by professionally trained actors and, new this year, local youth just learning the art of acting. Students from Burbank Elementary School’s LB WRAP After School Program join this year’s cast, providing them the opportunity to express their creativity and learned skills to their community.

Performances will feature works ranging from William Shakespeare to Maya Angelou and weave together the layered and complex moments of Black history through humor, reflection, resilience and critique. This year’s performance of “Black Mosaic” will take place on Monday, Feb. 23, 6 p.m., at the Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. 4th St.

“Black Mosaic” is a community-centered performance initiative curated and directed by Dr. Melanie Curtis Andrews, a lifetime human rights advocate and co-founder of the former Inner City Shakespeare Company. This is the second year PRM has partnered with Dr. Andrews to host these community performances in recognition of Black History Month.

Over the past year, PRM’s Partnerships Division collaborated with Dr. Andrews to establish the LB Performing Arts Collective, an effort to bring performing arts programming to underserved neighborhoods of Long Beach. The new arts initiative is dedicated to engaging diverse youth and community members in the performing arts through collaborative productions, mentorship and creative engagement.

“We are committed to offering quality and accessible youth programming within our parks and open spaces,” said Stephen P. Scott, Director of Parks, Recreation and Marine. “The establishment of the LB Performing Arts Collective is an opportunity to expand our partnerships with local performing arts organizations to bring new, culturally relevant performing arts programming opportunities that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.”