Director Bruce Miller was on the right track when he decided to cast Virginia Rep’s latest musical I Do! I Do! – now playing at Hanover Tavern – with a married couple. Who better to play a married couple than a married couple, especially when both spouses are seasoned actors?
This breezy show, set just before the turn of the century, follows the newly married couple Michael and Agnes through fifty years of marriage. We watch their good times and their bad times, as well as the times when their life just plods along at a steady pace.
There are laughs, especially at relatable moments, and there are somber moments in the play that make us realize we don’t always appreciate the people in our lives.
Miller’s deft direction allows the actors – Lauren Leinhaas-Cook and Larry Cook – to find their own rhythm and run with it. And that’s exactly what they do.
The husband and wife duo play off of each other with ease because they know each other so well. If one hesitates, the other is there to pick up the pace. They have each other’s back at all times.
Their comfort with one another is sweet and genuine in this cozy theatrical venue. They bring energy and humor to their performances and make the rough patches that the characters endure believable.
A delightful date-night musical and part of the Acts of Faith Festival, I Do! I Do! runs through April 10 at Virginia Rep and Hanover Tavern. For tickets and showtime, go here.
