“I Love You Because” focuses on modern-day romance

Posted on Friday, April 12, 2024

Set in the heart of the ‘Big Apple,’ “I Love You Because” centers on the lives of four 20-somethings, each one trying to find love in a modern world. One by one, they discover that true love doesn’t always fit their preconceived notions.

“These characters think about love in the same way that most of us do,” said Musical Theatre Professor Tim Fitz-Gerald, who directs and choreographs. “We all have a notion of who our “ideal” romantic match will be. But then our hearts can steer us in a completely different direction.” 

Sophomores Isabella Rapoza and Aria Mabry, who play best friends Diana Bingley and Marcy Fitzwilliams, are on different ends of the spectrum when it comes to finding love. “Diana works as an actuary, so she loves numbers,” Rapoza said. “She approaches every situation logically—even going so far as doing mathematical equations for her and Marcy’s love lives.”

Marcy, on the other hand, prefers to take a more impromptu approach to life and love.   “Marcy hates planning!” Mabry said. “She goes with the flow almost to a fault. But her past failed relationships have made her desperate enough to try Diana’s mathematical approach, which ironically includes finding a ‘Mr. Wrong’ before you can find ‘Mr. Right.’”

Their male counterparts, junior Will Gray and freshman Braeden Martin, play brothers Austin and Jeff Bennet.  They too have opposite perspectives on relationships.  

“He starts the play with a clear picture of the way things are—everything is very black and white in Austin’s world,” Gray said. “But as the show progresses and he’s introduced to different types of people and new ideas, he learns to look at things from a wider lens.”  

Jeff prefers a more carefree approach to romance.

“He is a true ladies’ man,” Martin said. “He will hit on every woman he sees and tries to help his brother loosen up and be more like him. But during the process, he falls head over heels for someone he didn’t even see coming!”

“In the end, the characters each learn a lesson that is important for all of us to remember,” Fitz-Gerald said. “To share your life with someone means that you love them not in spite of their flaws, but because of them.”

The production opens April 18 and runs through April 21. Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. 

Seating is general admission—no reservations are necessary. It is recommended for attendees to arrive early. The show is free for faculty, staff and students; $10 for adults. The production contains mature themes and is not recommended for children without parental guidance.

 

Campus Notes

• Dr. Kevin Shirley, Professor of History, was recently installed as the Ethel Dallis Hill Professor of History. The endowed professorship was created by the family of Ethel Dallis Hill, a generous LC benefactor who provided research assistance in the humanities and social sciences.           
• Seniors Jamarcus Davidson, Jo Shoger, D’Ashley Trammell and Hannah Whiteaker rang the Chapel Bell recently to celebrate a job offer or acceptance to graduate school. Davidson received an offer at Pioneer Youth in Hogansville, Shoger got accepted into the occupational therapy doctorate program at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Trammell received a full-time job offer at Piedmont Healthcare and Whiteaker received a full-time job offer at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.                              
• An LC Spirit Night event will be held at Beacon Brewing Co., 700 Lincoln Street, on Tuesday, April 23, between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ten percent of all sales during those times will go toward supporting student scholarships.

 

Collegiate Enrichment

The Zetas are Coming!

Saturday, April 13

2 p.m., Callaway Auditorium

• Students are invited to come out for a dramatic performance from the new members of Zeta Phi Beta, a historically African American sorority.

LIVE @ LC: Inviting Others Into Your Circle of Influence

Monday, April 15

4 p.m., Bailey Room

• Dr. Linda McMullen, Ely R. Callaway Sr. Business Professor and Chair, will lead students in a conversation about how they can build their circle into a community in which everyone can thrive because they understand and embrace diversity, equity and inclusion through intentional practice.

LIVE @ LC: Strategic Planning & Futuristic Leadership

Monday, April 15

6 p.m., Corn Auditorium

• Dr. Kerry Kenner, Associate Vice President for Student Experience and Housing and Residence Life Director, will lead a session on how to conduct strategic planning for student organizations and skills needed for futuristic-thinking leaders.

Self-Care Week: Donut Stress...Freeze and Breathe

Tuesday, April 16

3 p.m., Caswell Plaza

• The Counseling Center will have donuts and freeze pops as well as self-care tips and strategies for students.

LC Kindness Closet

Wednesday, April 17

11 a.m., Pitts Dining Hall

• LIFT (Leaders Inspired for Tomorrow) members will educate students on food insecurity across college campuses. There will also be an information session about the purpose of LIFT’s kindness closet and how donations will be used.

Self-Care Week: Let's Talk S'mores About It

Wednesday, April 17

5:30 p.m., Caswell Plaza

• Students are encouraged to come and make s’mores with the Counseling Center team.

Wilkinson Family Servant Scholars Colloquium

Thursday, April 18

11 a.m., Dickson Assembly Room

• Senior Servant Scholars will present their senior capstone which involves various projects assisting with early childhood literacy and with young adults with special needs in the community.

Undergraduate Research Symposium

Thursday, April 18

11 a.m., Lewis Library

• A variety of research topics from this academic year will be presented by students.

Honors Day

Thursday, April 18

4 p.m., Callaway Auditorium

• Students will be celebrated for their accomplishments during the 2023-2024 school year.

 

Video of the Week

Musical Romance on Price Theater stage

'I Love You Because," a warm, delightful musical comes to the Price Theater mainstage April 18-20 at 7 p.m., with a Sunday matinee April 21 at 2 p.m.

 

Sports

Baseball

LC will go up against Belhaven University on Friday, April 12 (today), at 7 p.m. The team will close out the away series with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 13 (tomorrow), at 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. After being rained out this week, LC’s game against Berry College has been moved to Tuesday, April 16, at 6 p.m.

Softball

The Panthers finished 2-2 last weekend in the Collegiate Conference of the South. The team lost 7-2 and 5-3 against Maryville College on Friday, April 5, but swept Berea College 8-0 and 7-2 in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 6. LC lost 11-0 and 7-1 to Huntingdon College on Tuesday. The team will stay on the road to play against Agnes Scott College on Saturday, April 13, at noon and 2 p.m. On Sunday, the Panthers will face Piedmont University at noon and 2 p.m.

Freshman Hannah Barnett was named CCS Rookie of the Week. In four games played, Barnett finished with a .333 hitting average with a double, a stolen base and four runs scored.

Lacrosse

LC beat Greensboro College 11-10 this past weekend with a last second goal by senior Ben Bryan. The team took on Piedmont University on Wednesday and lost 8-28.

Golf

The Panthers did not compete this past week. The team will compete in The Visit Florence Spring Invitational April 14-16.

Men’s Tennis

LC beat Berea College 6-3 on Saturday, April 6. The team fell 3-6 to Maryville College the following day. The Panthers will host Mississippi University for Women on Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m.

Women’s Tennis

The Panthers lost 4-5 to Berea College and 0-9 to Maryville College this past weekend. The team will host Mississippi University for Women on Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m.

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Friday, April 12 – Baseball at Belhaven, 7 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi

Saturday, April 13 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. MUW, 1 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Saturday, April 13 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. MUW, 1 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Saturday, April 13 – Golf at Visit Florence Spring Invitational, Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Saturday, April 13 – Softball at Agnes Scott, noon and 2 p.m., Decatur, Georgia

Saturday, April 13 – Baseball at Belhaven, 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., Jackson, Mississippi

Sunday, April 14 – Golf at Visit Florence Spring Invitational, Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Sunday, April 14 – Softball at Piedmont, noon and 2 p.m., Demorest, Georgia

Monday, April 15 – Golf at Visit Florence Spring Invitational, Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Tuesday, April 16 – Golf at Visit Florence Spring Invitational, Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Tuesday, April 16 – Baseball at Berry, 6 p.m., Rome, Georgia

Thursday, April 18 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 1 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Thursday, April 18 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Huntingdon, 1 p.m., Greer Tennis Courts

 

In the Headlines

LaGrange College hosts art exhibit, “What were you wearing?” LaGrange Daily News, April 11

Category: Students, Arts and Culture, Community

Keywords: Theatre, Music