Baldwin Players to present ‘I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do!’

TIFTON — The Baldwin Players of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College will perform in a dinner theatre musical titled “I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do!” March 8-10 in the Conference Room at ABAC’s Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village.

Brian Ray, director of the theater troupe, said tickets for the dinner and show are $35. A limited number of show-only tickets will be $10. Dinner will be catered by Sodexo and begin at 6 p.m. The buffet-style meal will include a choice of beef or chicken and a variety of sides and dessert. Show-only seating begins at 6:50 p.m.

“When I thought about doing a play as a dinner theater, to offer Tifton a new experience from ABAC’s Baldwin Players, I immediately thought about this show,” Ray said. “It is a wonderful family-friendly play that focuses on love and the wonders of life.”

Cast members include Reese Johnson, an agriculture major from Nashville, as Michael at ages 20 and 70; Jannah Zinkler, a core curriculum major from Sumner, as Agnes at age 20; Jeffrey Murray, a core curriculum major from Pelham, as Michael at age 40; Hannah Exum, an agriculture major from Nashville, as Agnes at age 40; Patrick Ireland, an ABAC alumnus and Tifton community member, as Michael at age 55; Hannah Moseley, a rural studies major from Cochran, as Agnes at age 55; and Mikayla Crenshaw, an agricultural education major from Milton, as Agnes at age 70.

“The two people who performed the production at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre did the show for over 22 years, making it the longest running production of any show with an original cast,” Ray said. “They met doing the show, married, had two children (as do the characters in the play) and continued to perform until they were in their 50s.”

The musical is about marriage with all its ups and downs – and in-betweens. The play follows the lives of a married couple, Agnes and Michael Snow, from their wedding day in 1895 to 1945. Michael is, at times, a misogynist, and Agnes shows herself to be the true strength of their marriage. Their love for each other is what helps them through the tough times. Although dated, the play resonates with modern audiences.

“It is very reminiscent of the musicals of the ’50s and ’60s – what I like to think of as the ‘Golden Years,’” Ray said. “Watching this play is like going to a wedding and staying through the couple’s first 50 years of married life.”

“I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do!” is based on the play “The Fourposter” by Jan De Hartog, originally produced on Broadway by David Merrick and originally directed by Gower Champion. The book and lyrics were written by Tom Jones and the music by Harvey Schmidt.

For more information on “I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do!” interested persons may contact Ray at (229) 391-4969 or via e-mail at [email protected].