Hampton Theatre Company: Complimentary Wedding Vow Renewals @ HTC’s “I DO! I DO!” / Opens 3.12th

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Theatergoers Invited to Renew Their Wedding Vows
At HTC’s “I DO! I DO!” Opening March 12

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With love in the air all around its upcoming production of “I DO! I DO!: A Musical About Marriage,” the Hampton Theatre Company is going all in, offering theatergoers a chance to renew their own marital vows at the performance they attend.

Running from March 12 to March 29 at the Quogue Community Hall, the Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones musical celebrates 50 years of the love, laughter, and lifelong commitment of Agnes and Michael, beginning with their marriage in 1898. Through a series of poignant and often comical vignettes, audiences witness how love evolves over time while remaining rooted in connection and commitment.

The show’s examination of the joys, challenges, humor, and enduring affection that define a shared life offers a perfect backdrop for couples who’d like to renew their vows, according to HTC General Manager Terry Brennan. Ordained in the Universal Life Church in 2009 so she could officiate at a family member’s wedding, she came up with the idea for renewing vows in the theater for an Airport Playhouse production of “The Wedding Singer” that year. Brennan will officiate at the majority of the ceremonies, but there will also be a few qualified celebrity guest officiants.

“I DO! I DO!” patrons who want to renew their vows can make a reservation when they buy their tickets at hamptontheatre.org or by calling the HTC box office at 631-653-8955. Unlike the marriages she has performed, vow renewal has no legal standing, Brennan said. Still, couples who renew their vows at the theater right after the actors take their bows will receive a certificate after a short ceremony that will include a reprise of a song from the show.

In the On Faith section of the February 8 Newsday, The Rev. Early Y. Thorpe Jr., Pastor of Church-in-the-Garden in Garden City, called renewal and renewing “a joyful acknowledgement of a life tethered together.” He added that “renewal allows for honest reflection and affirms the strength of one’s vows.” With reviewers over the years praising “I DO! I DO!” as “a Valentine to marriage,” the show is a perfect fit for vow renewal, for couples married for many years and newlyweds alike.

The musical was created by the legendary team of Harvey Schmidt (music) and Tom Jones (book and lyrics), best known for the long-running classic “The Fantasticks.” The cast of “I Do! I Do!” features Nicholas Auletti (“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”) as Michael and HTC newcomer Savannah Jean Moore as Agnes. The director is HTC President Rosemary Cline. Set design by Steve Rogers; lighting design by Sebastian Paczynski, and costume design by Teresa LeBrun.

Performances at the Quogue Community Hall will run from March 12 through March 29 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7, and Sundays at 2:30. An additional matinee performance will be offered on Saturday, March 28, at 2:30, prior to the regular 7 p.m. performance that evening.

Two post-show talkbacks featuring the director and cast will be offered following the March 20 and March 27 evening performances.

Patrons who wish to renew their vows at the theater in a brief informal ceremony can sign up when buying tickets at www.hamptontheatre.org. Tickets and more information are available by visiting Hamptontheatre.org or by calling 631-653-8955.