Theatre & Stage reviews by SalsaChicago.com critic Al Bresloff

Love, American Style at The Metropolis

The Metropolis Performance Arts Centre, located in Downtown Arlington Heights, is a very nice, cozy theater, where the audience , no matter where you sit can enjoy and see the production with ease. While they have a regular series of plays, they also bring in Second City, Musical groups and some family entertainment. I guess one might say that this is THE Theater serving the Northwest suburbs.

Currently, as part of their subscription season, they are presenting a wonderful production of "I Love You, YouÕre Perfect, Now Change" with book and lyrics by Joe Dipietro and music by Jimmy Roberts. I must tell you that this production outshines the one that has been playing at The Royal George partly because of the sight lines at the Metropolis, partly because of the direction of Robyn Okrant and choreography by Karen Gurback, but mostly because of the four actors who not only shine but also really seem to enjoy what they are doing. Michael Ingersoll (who recently did "Tick, tick... Boom!" at Pegasus in Chicago) shows that he is indeed multi-talented as he plays his characters in this musical revue that deals with love, dating, family and relationships. In this production, his wife, Angela Ingersoll takes on one of the women and while there is a special chemistry between them, the other cast members seem to have the same chemistry as well. Steve O'Connell and Julie Burt ( very funny) round out the cast- yes, there are only four actors, but they fill the stage and watching them work is worth the trip to Arlington Heights.

"I Love You" will run through October 22 with performances as follows: Thursday 7:30 p.m. Friday at 8 p.m. Saturday at 7 p.m. Sunday 3 p.m.

Tickets range from $39 -38 and are available by calling 847-577-2121 or visiting www.metropolisarts.com.

Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is locate at 111 W. Campbell Street in Downtown Arlington Heights. There is plenty of parking and some wonderful restaurants (at reasonable prices) in the neighborhood, so make a little trip and have some fun.