As behooves the "Valentine treat" the Golden Apple offers, I Do! I Do! is tasty as chocolates and tasteful as well. It chronicles the life of a couple from moments before their marriage in 1895 to their retirement and leaving the family home in 1945. A nostalgic piece when in opened on Broadway in 1966, it's now an even
further "look back" but no less heartwarming.
Michael and Agnes come down the theater aisles for their expository "Prologue" in front of the stage and before their marriage. It's a successful connection -- one of several directly with the audience -- that enhances sharing from onstage. We share Michael's enthusiasm as he directly tells us, "I Love My Wife," as well as Agnes showing us later that she can be a raunchy "Flaming Agnes" if he thinks he has a younger prospect who appreciates him more. The couple age by changing outfits or bodily stance or applying make-up downstage toward us.
Director Roberta MacDonald doesn't let a moment flag, smoothly choreographing time/scene/costume changes as well as a few samples of dance. Each musical number clearly moves the story forward. Two musicians produce a fine fullness of sound but never muffle the important lyrics or singers' fine voices.
Pretty blond actress-soprano Heather Kopp demonstrates why she's an area favorite as she captures Agnes' changing attitudes. Congenial Craig Weiskerger's star quality helps us like his Michael even when he displays considerable ego and complains. Since the two players plan really to be promising "I Do!" in mid-February, it seems auspicious that they work so well together.
Unlike many set designers for this show, Trez Cole has provided windows for each side of the couple's bedroom. I think it's quite fitting not to have them hermetically sealed off from the outer world, as well as to have the exit on Michael's side. Dee Richards' costumes fit the different periods well, though I'd have liked to see Agnes actually "flame" out of her robe in her stripper-like number.
