In Tallahassee Community College’s upcoming production of the musical comedy, “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,” actor Gerald Davis goes through an entire relationship in eight minutes or less.

Davis switches in and out of different characters in the six-person production just as quickly. It’s part of the charm of the Tony Award-Winning musical, which cycles through the rollercoaster ride that is first loves, first dates, marriages, babies, in-laws and growing old together. 

“I’m in 11 scenes and in each scene every single character is different,” says Davis. “Our director [M. Derek Nieves] tells us to use our backstage time to click into our next character. You have to stay present in your current character, then as you’re changing, start thinking in context of what your next character is going to be like.”

Davis plays all sides of the dating spectrum — from a young man who is a “nervous ball of energy” about asking out a girl, to someone who is breaking up with his girlfriend because he fears adulthood. The Jekyll-Hyde-like transitions are just one challenge of the show. For Davis, this musical will serve as his debut in the musical theater genre. 

A self-professed “band kid” throughout middle and high school, Davis played the trumpet for eight years. He’s never forgotten his first performance playing Kool & The Gang’s party hit “Celebration,” and how comfortable the instrument felt in his hands.

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