Inside the hilarious musical review for anyone who has ever been in love, tried to be, or given up entirely

Posted on 3 August, 2026

Whether you’re navigating Canberra’s dating scene or celebrating decades with your significant other, Free-Rain Theatre Company’s newest production is a hilarious, heartfelt tribute to the chaos of modern love.

There’s nothing as awkward, chaotic or downright despondent as modern dating.

Think squirmy first dates to complicated marriages – and everything that comes in between. These joyful, bewildering experiences are some of our favourite stories to tell (and consume).

From Carrie and Mr Big in Sex and the City to the current cultural obsession with Off Campus, one thing is for sure: we’ve always loved love. Which is exactly why Canberra audiences are in for a treat with the thrilling rollercoaster ride coming to the stage this August.

Showing from Wednesday 19 August until Saturday 5 September, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will be taking spectators through modern love in all its forms – taking a deeply relatable look at the universal search for connection.

Originally written in 1995 by Joe DiPietro, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change has a long history in the theatre. Making its debut at the Westside Theatre in 1996, the award-winning play remains the second longest-running Off-Broadway show ever.

Presented in the form of a series of sharp, witty vignettes connected by the central theme of love and relationships, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change was updated in 2018 to reflect contemporary dating culture. While its themes are universal, Free-Rain Theatre Company director Janie Lawson says that the revised version speaks directly to the realities of dating in the digital age.

“The characters navigate first impressions, unrealistic expectations, mixed signals and the pressure of finding ‘the one’ – all experiences that remain central to modern dating,” she explains.

“The show cleverly highlights the absurdity of trying to reduce something as complex as human connection into a series of boxes to tick or profiles to swipe through.”

Broken into two distinct acts, the first explores the journey from anxious first dates to love and marriage, while the second reveals the absurd realities and heartwarming triumphs of everything that comes after – from in-laws and newborns to chaotic trips in the family car.

Janie says that the show’s greatest strength is that it embraces the messiness of real life.

“Rather than portraying effortless romance, it invites audiences to laugh at the awkward silences, misunderstandings, nerves and moments of self-consciousness that are all part of dating.”

“There’s a refreshing honesty in the way it shows people trying, failing, learning and trying again, which makes the characters feel authentic and recognisable.”

For Janie, directing I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change has been a wonderful experience. Working with Musical Director Leo Amadeus, Choreographer Amy Campbell and Associate Director Anne Somes, she believes that the show is a hilarious and insightful tribute to those who have loved and lost.

“I think audiences will love how easy it is to see themselves in the characters and situations. The show moves swiftly between different stories and stages of life, so there’s something for everyone,” says Janie.

“They’ll leave having laughed a great deal, perhaps shed a tear or two, and almost certainly recognised some aspect of their own relationships along the way.”

Relatable, heartfelt, and laugh-out-loud funny, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is a must-see for anyone who has ever navigated the highs and lows of love – whether you’re single, coupled up, or somewhere in between.

“At its heart, this show is about what connects us all – our desire to be seen, understood and loved. In a world that can sometimes feel increasingly disconnected, that’s a message that feels especially timely.”

Images supplied.