Life is a cabaret, old chum, and No Refund Theatre (NRT) invites you to come to I Guess I Expected Chocolates, a cabaret of love songs and monologues being performed at 8 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday in 111 Forum.

Though it's a long way until Valentine's Day, NRT is spreading the love with this nontraditional musical showcase.

Chocolates relies on the general theme of passion, rather than a plot and characters, to drive the motion forward.

Under the direction of Rob Huber (senior-English), the cast and crew collaborated to create the format of the show.

When choosing the musical numbers, the students chose to incorporate songs about love and relationships from well-known shows, including Aida and Avenue Q, and more unfamiliar shows, like A New Brain and The Last 5 Years.

Huber said the format of the show made preparation a bit less hectic than it is with other shows, but working out the musical numbers added a new level of difficulty. However, because he is "not restrained by a script," Huber said everyone is learning to have fun with it.

To connect the ideas presented by the various songs, actors will perform monologues.

Hailey Apter (sophomore-advertising and international politics) noted that this aspect of the creative process allowed the actors the greatest outlet for personal expression.

"We wrote monologues that had to do with our lives and experiences with love," Apter said.

Also, Apter said the chance for everyone to offer input added a great deal of depth to the show. The members of the cast and crew worked together, writing about their own emotions and definitions of love.

"It takes you on an intriguing journey through the many stages of love, from unrequited to passionate," Apter added.

NRT rarely performs musicals, so an original cabaret is quite unusual. Although the arrangement of Chocolates may seem odd, Huber thinks the audience will appreciate the honesty in its theme.

"It is a lot different, but I think by now that is sort of expected of me," Huber said. "I think all people are expecting something they're not used to."

Assistant director Jason Lally (senior-information sciences and technology) said he felt a lot of artistic flexibility. Since no one had to worry as much about characterization or stage directions, the essence of the performance is in the realistic portrayals and the meaningful messages.

Lally described the show as concerning different types of relationships, but most of them have to do with a significant other.

"The show is about different types of love, both lost and found," Lally said. "It discusses the idea that love isn't always perfect or easy, but it's always worth it in the end."

In addition to the songs and monologues, Chocolates also features a "risqué" dance number, Apter said.

Also, there will be the regulatory few curse words expected when discussing relationship issues. However, Apter noted the show would be appropriate for parents to see if they are visiting this weekend, as long as they keep in mind that it is a "college show."

No matter who decides to see this innovative cabaret, the common message offers something for most people to identify with.

"I think it's a universal theme and everyone can relate to it," Huber said. "Everybody at some point in their life becomes involved in relationships, falls in love. That's what we are looking at."