43
Stage Left and ‘I Do! I Do!’ is a solid marriage
By STEPHANIE OTTEY
LISBON
The Stage Left Players are starting their 20th season tonight with a show that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
“I Do!, I Do!” is a charming little musical written by Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt that was first produced on Broadway in 1966.
Heartwarming and sweet, “I Do!, I Do!” shares the marriage of Agnes and Michael Snow from the day they say their nuptials to the day they retire. The 50-year span this covers is filled with good times and bad, and is a reflection of any marriage. Despite being set in the early to mid-1900s, the show is easy to relate to.
Director Kandace Cleland is confident in her production. She let me watch rehearsal Wednesday night.
Rehearsals are unique beasts, particularly in the week before a show opens. Typically the team involved in a production fills the theater with an air of chaos and lovely uncertainty, but the Stage Left Players have a firm hold on their upcoming season-opener.
Cleland’s set design is beautiful. The one-room setting looks expensive and sturdy, and allows the performers to work within it naturally.
The simple music played by Jodine Pilmer blends nicely with the performers, allowing focus to remain where it should.
Stars Josh Lewis and Ali Cleland have acted together in this very show before, and so they have a genuine chemistry on stage together.
Lewis portrays a nicely streamlined Michael Snow. His character’s intention is clear as is his vocal performance.
Ali Cleland is an equally charming Agnes. She possesses a vocal tone that is meant to sing in the old-school musical theater style, and she thusly slays songs like “Flaming Agnes.”
Together, Lewis and Ali Cleland are undeniably lovable. They blend nicely vocally, dramatically and comedically, and will hopefully continue to share their talents with the community.
There were a few hiccups in the rehearsal run, but Lewis and Cleland seemed to be having so much fun that any goofs only added to the honesty of their relationship on stage. Hopefully they maintain that joy and realness throughout the run.
“I Do!, I Do!” is a lovely way to kick off the new Stage Left season that is full of other great selections this year. It will be followed by “On Golden Pond,” “Godspell”, “Enchanted April,” and the Stage Left original “Oz: It’s A Wonderland!” After last season’s successful production of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” these productions are promising.
“I Do!, I Do!” runs through Sept. 30. It plays on Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. There are no Friday performances. The Stage Left Players perform at The Trinity Playhouse, 234 Lincoln Way, Lisbon For information call 330-831-7249.