I Love You Because is a musical set in modern-day New York. It is based on Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice. It features lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, set to music by Joshua Salzman. Production history Cunningham and Salzman first met in New York University's graduate program in musical theater writing, where they began writing the songs that became I Love You Because. Off-Broadway The show was first performed off-Broadway in 2006 at the Village Theatre. The original off-Broadway cast included Farah Alvin as Marcy, Stephanie D'Abruzzo as Diana, Colin Hanlon as Austin and David A. Austin as Jeff, with Courtney Balan and Jordan Leeds playing a variety of bit parts as chorus members New York Woman and New York Man. All six actors performed on the original cast recording released in 2006. The first regional production of the show ran from January 17-February 11, 2007, at the Actors' Playhouse in Coral Gables, Florida. Off-West End The UK premiere opened at the Landor Theatre, in association with producer Josephine Buchan, on September 19, 2007. Directed by Robert McWhir, the cast was led by Daniel Boys as Austin, Richard Frame as Jeff, Jodie Jacobs as Marcy, Debbie Kurup as Diana, Lucy Williamson and Mark Goldthorp. Australia The Australasian premiere season ran from August 8–16, 2008. Directed by Nathan Firmin and Brad Fischer for SHOOSH Productions, the play was staged at the Cromwell Road Theatre in Melbourne. Canada The Canadian Premiere opened February 10, 2012 at Studio 1398 on Granville Island in Vancouver, BC. It was produced by Intimate Theatre Productions. The show starred Sayer Roberts as Austin, Erin Palm as Marcy, Victor Hunter as Jeff, and Harper Smith as Diana with Aaron Lau and Sheryl McMillan. It was Directed by Shel Piercy, Choreographed by Shelley Stewart Hunt, and Musical Directed by Kerry O'Donovan. The Canadian Professional Premiere opened at the Toronto Centre for the Arts Studio Space on March 30, 2012, and is produced by Angelwalk Theatre. The production is directed by Darcy Evans, and stars Jeff Madden as Austin, Elena Juatco as Marcy, Jay Davis as Jeff, and Gabi Epstein as Diana with Michael de Rose and Cara Leslie. Liverpool A special Valentine's production of the show ran from 12th to 15 February 2013 in the Unity Theatre in Liverpool, England. Produced by Lights Up Entertainment and co-directed by Ezequiel Serrano and Leonie Webb, the cast included Phil Teles Amaro