Entertainment

Charming Revival of I Do! I Do!

Published

1 year ago

May 27, 2025

John Lariviere

Wit, Warmth and Wedding Vows Take Center Stage in “I Do! I Do!” at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center.

May 24th, 2025

The Pompano Players present the well-loved musical I Do! I Do! at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center from May 23^rd through June 1^st. Based on the Jan de Hartog play The Fourposter, the musical features a book by Tom Jones, with music by Harvey Schmidt and lyrics by Tom Jones. Along with The Fantasticks and 110 in the Shade, I Do! I Do! is one of the three most successful Schmidt and Jones collaborations.

The original Broadway production, starring Mary Martin and Robert Preston, opened at the 46^th Street Theatre on December 5, 1966, and closed on June 15, 1968, after 560 performances. It received 7 Tony Award Nominations, with Preston winning for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. Singer Ed Ames had a major hit with his recording of the song “My Cup Runneth Over”, securing it as the most well-known song in the show.

Alex Jorth, Lindsey Corey, Photo credit: Amy Pasquantonio

I Do! I Do! is a two-person musical that focuses on a young couple, Michael (Alex Jorth) and Agnes (Lindsey Corey) following them through 50 years of marriage, from 1895 to 1945. Michael is a novelist and Agnes (appropriate to the period) a housewife. Together they navigate the realities of marital life. In the beginning is the joy of discovering one another such as in the exuberant “I Love My Wife” sung charmingly by Jorth. Life is all dancing and blissful kisses. The discovery of becoming parents in the songs “Something Has Changed” logically leads Michael to the responsibility he has as head of the household in “Love Isn’t Everything”. After a late-night party some 12 years into their marriage they both decide to share all the ways in which their partner annoys them in the song “Nobody’s Perfect”. Corey is particularly funny in this scene, which while the most humorous song in the show, ironically culminates in Michael confessing to having an ongoing affair. It is a bit of a testimony to Jorth’s likeability that even in this moment it’s hard to hate him. Corey expresses her pent-up desires in sassy style in “Flaming Agnes”, and Michael and Agnes both agree that though the love between them is not gone that “The Honeymoon Is Over”.

The second act focuses on their two children as they grow up and each get married. Then their attention turns to their own middle-age and how much they may still be needed. Agnes even thinks of leaving Michael. They reminisce about their successes and failures as a couple, finding comfort in the fact that through it all they have continued their commitment to one another through their marriage. In the end they pack up the house that has held so many cherished memories in “This House”.

Lindsey Corey, Alex Jorth. Photo credit: Amy Pasquantonio

The set is their bedroom, dominated by a large fourposter bed with a storage chest at its feet. Each side has a nightstand, a chest of drawers, a dressing table, a chair and a coat rack. Projection art provides us with stately windows on either side of the bed as well. The passage of time is shown with changing window treatments, and changing hairstyles on Agnes. Of course, both Agnes and Michael have multiple costume changes managed both on and off stage. Done in this case without a hitch. A live band is on hand just out of sight to provide the music to this lovely score.

The music and script to this show may be called sentimental and sweet by some, and simplistic and bland by others. All valid views. So what makes this show work after so many years? There’s no brassy belt number, no dramatic reveal, no controversial subject matter. It is because the basis of the show is still true. Marriage – love is work. They are verbs rather than nouns. And people who have stood the test of time together know that better than anyone else. On my way out of the theatre I was behind a couple in their 80s. The husband looked at his wife, kissed her hand and said “You’re stuck with me honey!” As for me I am left with the charm and warmth of Alex Jorth as Michael throughout the show, and with the image of Lindsey Corey singing “What Is a Woman”. Corey is normally cast in broad comedic roles in more contemporary musicals and for her hearty belt. But in this case, it was just her seated on the chest at the end of the bed, singing this seemingly simple song with a movingly sincere examination of the emotional truths of the lyrics.

Pompano Players performances of I Do! I Do! Continue through June 1^st with performances Fridays & Saturdays at 7pm, and Saturdays & Sundays at 2pm. The theatre is located at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center at 50 West Atlantic Blvd., Pompano Beach, FL 33060. Tickets: $45 – $65. For tickets go visit HERE or call: 954-501-1910.

Cast:

Agnes: Lindsey Corey*

Michael: Alex Jorth*

*Indicates a member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.

The Band:

Pianist: Eric Alsford

Bass: Rupert Ziawinski

Drums: Nick Trotogott

Trumpet: Michael Hankins

Reeds: Maureen Amaral

Crew:

Director: Andy Rogow

Music: Eric Alsford

Choreographer: Amanda Lopez

Production Stage Manager: Jeremy Quinn

Assistant Stage Manager: Elizabeth Guerra

Set Design: Claudia Smith

Lighting Design: Lowell Richard

Costume Design: Penelope Williams

The Pompano Players is a new resident theatre company that will operate out of the Pompano Beach Cultural Center starting this fall. The captivating productions by the Pompano Players in the 2024-25 season are brought to you by the City of Pompano Beach Cultural Affairs Department in collaboration with ACM Theatricals. Their mission will focus on uniting the community through the power of the arts. Join them for an unforgettable experience that celebrates creativity, culture and connection.