“I love you in spite of who you are.”
Yikes. As love confessions go, it’s not exactly a promising start. But wait — in one of the most famous love stories of all time, Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Mr. Darcy first declares that he loves Elizabeth Bennet against his will, against his reason, and even against his character. Understandably, she’s offended. But from these inauspicious beginnings blossoms a beautiful love story.
So is the case with Providence Players’ I Love You Because, a modern-day homage to Pride and Prejudice that proves that love can overcome even the worst first impressions or personality clashes. Meet uptight greeting card writer Austin Bennet (Preston Grover) and free-spirited photographer Marcy Fitzwilliams (Molly Dorion), both on the rebound from nasty breakups.
Convinced by her analytical finance girlie best friend, Diana Bingley (Willow Mitchener), that the best way to find Mr. Right is to first hit rock bottom with Mr. Wrong, Marcy sets her sights on Austin as her worst possible match. As for Austin, he’s so obsessed with his ex-girlfriend that he barely notices Marcy until she starts helping him work on the perfect poem to win back his ex. As you might imagine, the two fall in love — first in spite of their personality differences, then eventually, because of them.
Meanwhile, Diana finds an even more unlikely match with Austin’s bizarre and uncouth brother, Jeff (a hilariously deadpan Eduardo Perez-Reyes). The two met on Jdate, although neither one is actually Jewish. Both stories are backed by Karey L. Hart and Justin Latus as a series of fly-on-the-wall New Yorkers — waiters, baristas, bartenders, anyone who you’ve ever suspected was gossiping about your love life behind your back. Hart and Latus’s strong voices blend wonderfully in all of their musical numbers.
You might think a musical rom-com about a greeting card writer peppered with Jane Austen references sounds like the perfect show to bring Grandma to. But be forewarned — the humor in this piece is surprisingly raunchy and profanity-laced, and the characters talk quite frankly about sex throughout. Then again, maybe do bring Grandma. At the Thursday night performance, quite a few senior citizens led the audience in uproarious laughter — including and especially at the dirtiest jokes.
By far the biggest audience response of the evening belonged to a very funny sequence in which Diana tries to seduce Jeff, only to grievously injure his back. (A well-timed sound effect by Bob Hannan added a special something to the moment.) The audience howled with laughter and hid their faces in their hands in equal measure. Kudos to intimacy choreographer Stephanie Davis for keeping things both creative and safe. For their part, Mitchener and Perez-Reyes are more than game to lean into the cringeworthiness of it all.
Jeff and Diana often steal the show with their delightful eccentricities. Diana orders exactly 2/7ths of a cup of cream in her coffee and sells a wonderful acronym-riddled patter song about calculating the mathematically ideal “rebound time” after a breakup. Jeff uses the wrong words for everything — he calls an abacus an “albatross” — and doesn’t have a romantic bone in his body. (The abacus is a gift for Diana, plucked right out of the trash!)
Their risque duet, “We’re Just Friends,” is another highlight of the show with fun vaudeville-inspired choreography by Stacy Crickmer. They may even bring a tear to your eye when they confess their sincere feelings for one another, malapropisms and all.
The more conventional love story at the heart of the musical requires subtler performances but no less skill, and Grover and Dorion build a convincing dynamic throughout. Both showcase lovely soaring vocals on their romantic ballads and display skillful storytelling through song — needed, because the songs come thick and fast here! Their love grows through noticing the little details — how he takes his coffee, her favorite flowers. To be loved is to be known.
I Love You Because is not an action-packed ride of a show but a thoughtful journey alongside the two odd couples. By the end of two hours, Austin, Marcy, Diana, and even silly old Jeff will seem like your old friends. When all four voices join together on “But I Do” and finale number “I Love You Because,” it all feels well-earned.
They are backed throughout by a small but mighty five-piece band led by music director Sean MacCarthy-Grant. Colin Taylor gets some particularly enjoyable saxophone solos. The music, composed by Joshua Salzman, is often quite catchy, with witty lyrics by Ryan Cunningham.
The set, designed by Bill Brown and constructed by an impressive crew led by Thomas Barrett and David Whitehead, cleverly opens like a card to switch between Austin’s and Marcy’s apartments. Allison Gray-Mendes’s set decoration helps set the tone with posters for the Bennet bros’ bachelor pad and artsy photos for Marcy’s bedroom. One corner of the stage serves as a bar and coffee shop, though a few other settings are a little less clearly established.
On the subject of “settings,” the musical bills itself as a “Modern-day musical love story,” but it also originally premiered in 2005. This gives creative teams a tricky choice: retain the “modern day” milieu, or turn it into an unintentional period piece of the mid-aughts?
The creative team here, led by director Jason Damaso, seems to have opted to set it in the present, judging by the costumes and the cell phones shown both onstage and on the show’s artwork. If this means a few dated references like Moviefone sneak in, it only further reinforces how stuck in the past Austin is.
Costumes by Robbie Snow bring out every character’s personality, from Diana’s polished day-to-night attire to Jeff’s endless array of corny graphic tees. Marcy’s boho-chic outfits create the perfect contrast to Austin’s interchangeable dress shirts and ties.
For the most part, the singing and dialogue carry clearly in the cozy theater, though at a few points, lead vocalists seem overwhelmed by backing vocals or the lively band. Lighting by Ari McSherry fades to black at just the right times!
Like any good relationship, I Love You Because is full of little surprises. Still, c It’s just right for a date night or a fun girls’ night — or go solo and let it inspire you to expand your horizons and try new things. Just go easy on your spine. (Or don’t — it all seemed to work out just fine for Jeff and Diana!)
Running Time: Two hours and 15 minutes, including a 10-minute intermission.
I Love You Because plays through Saturday, June 27, 2026, presented by Providence Players of Fairfax performing at at the James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church, VA. The closing performance begins at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available online.
I Love You Because
Music by Joshua Salzman
Book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham
Orchestrations by Larry Hochman
CAST
Austin Bennet: Preston Grover
Jeff Bennet: Eduardo Perez-Reyes
Marcy Fitzwilliams: Molly Dorion
Diana Bingkey: Willow Mitchener
Cocktail Waitress, Barista, Neighbor, Chinese Food Restaurant Manager, New York City Woman: Karey L. Hart
Bartender, Barista, Waiter, Chinese Food Restaurant Waiter, New York City Man: Justin Latus
THE MUSICIANS
Conductor and Keyboard 1: Sean MacCarthy-Grant
Keyboard 2: Joe Faber
Reed: Colin Taylor
Bass: Matt Majors
Drums/Percussion: Jake Gunter (June 12-21) and Emilie Taylor (June 26-28)
Audition Pianist: Dante Walker
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
Director: Jason Damaso
Producer: Mike Dazé
Stage Manager: Brian Appich
Music Director: Sean MacCarthy-Grant
Choreographer: Stacy Crickmer
Set Design: Bill Brown
Set Construction Leads: Thomas Barrett, David Whitehead
Set Painting: Allison Gray-Mendes
Set Decoration: Allison Gray-Mendes
Lighting Design: Ari McSherry
Sound Design: Bob Hannan
Costume Design: Robbie Snow
Hair and Make-Up Design: Abby Smith
Intimacy Choreographer: Stephanie Davis
Set Construction Crew: Brian Appich, Dave Bernero, Anthony Breder, Jason Damaso, Preston Grover, Bob Hannan, Kevin Harmisch, Karey L. Hart, Justin Latus, Mike McLaughlin, Chuck O’Toole, Douglas Thayer
Photography: Chip Gertzog
Box Office and Ticket Sales: Mike Dazé
House Management: Kathi Ranowsky
Playbill: Amanda Ranowsky
Playbill Design: Ellen Burns
Playbill Advertising: Jayne L. Victor
Marketing: Amanda Ranowsky
