The Barnstormers Theatre presents "I Love You Because," a modern-day musical love story based on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," August 18 to 22 in Tamworth, NH.

When Austin Bennett finds out his girlfriend is cheating on him, he and his brother Jeff set up a double-date with best friends Marcy and Diana. The rest is dating history, as the four navigate love, friendship, and the modern dating scene.

"This is a play about those spicy romantic encounters that happen in your twenties, in contrast to the more mature relationships we saw in 'Private Lives' and 'Dinner with Friends,'" says Barnstormers artistic director Bob Shea.

The authors of "I Love You Because," Ryan Cunningham and Joshua Salzman, met at New York University's graduate program in musical theater writing, where they began writing the songs for the play. It opened Off-Broadway in 2006 and has since been performed in such far-flung places as Korea and the Philippines.

Jimmy Boorum, a recent graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City, makes his professional debut in the role of Austin. Stacie Bono returns to The Barnstormers as Marcy, having previously appeared in the 2007 productions of "The Apple Tree (for which she won the New Hampshire Theatre award for best actress in a musical) and "The Last Five Years." David Perlman makes his Barnstormers debut, with credits from the Arvada Center in Colorado to the Penobscot Theatre (Bangor), as well as a European tour of "Hair" and an appearance on "Law & Order." Also new to The Barnstormers is Barbara Hollander, who has appeared on numerous stages in New York City, as well as television and films including "Life With Mikey," "Deconstructing Harry" and "Everyone Says I Love You."

"I Love You Because" is "terrific, refreshing fun" says the New York Times. The Wall Street Journal called it "everything an off-Broadway musical should be...a charming piece of work that will send you home smiling."

Performances of "I Love You Because" are at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday, plus a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $24.50 to $29.50 for evening shows and $15 to $20 for matinees. Friday night is Family Night, with family groups (containing at least one person age 18 or under) admitted for half price, available on the day of the show. Saturday matinees are $10-$15 for youth 18 and younger. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 603-323-8500 or visit the web site at http://www.barnstormerstheatre.org.