Greensburg Civic Theatre takes comedic, poignant look at love

Two sets of actors will play a couple at different stages in their relationship in Greensburg Civic Theatre’s production of “I Do! I Do! I Do! I Do!”, which the group calls a portrait of “50 years of love, quarrels and marriage.”

The musical will be staged Friday through Sunday in the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center, 951 Old Salem Road, for both in-person and livestream audiences. Performances are 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

With book and lyrics by Tom Jones and music by Harvey Schmidt, “I Do!” was written as a star vehicle for theater legends Mary Martin and Robert Preston. The original Broadway production received seven Tony Award nominations.

“It was written in 1966, and it’s not like it’s Rodgers and Hammerstein, but I keep coming back to the word ‘charming’ to describe it,” said director and choreographer Greggory Brandt. “It’s sweet and tender with comedic moments and poignant moments.

“It has a nice pace to it. There’s a journey from (the characters) getting married, through the child-bearing years, raising two children and getting older,” he said. “They lose each other and find each other again. For a director, it’s a show you can really sink your teeth into.”

“I Do!” features four Pittsburgh-area actors, including Sarah Hennessy and Justin Massetto playing Agnes and Michael in their younger years and Amanda Anne Leight and Jeremy Carmichael portraying the couple later in life.

J. Eric Barchiesi of Penn Township is musical director and accompanist. Marcus Greenberg of Unity is stage manager.

Brandt said this is his first foray into live theater since the pandemic shutdown of entertainment venues. He is assistant professor of theater at Saint Vincent College and producing artistic director of Saint Vincent Summer Theatre.

“It’s great to be back in live performance again and to have those emotions and feelings,” he said. “Not a lot of companies are doing anything live, so this really helps to fill up the gas tank.”

Audience members will need to wear masks throughout the performance and at all times indoors. Actors also will be masked.

The in-person audience will be limited to 30% of capacity. Tickets are general admission to enable the box office to best place patrons in socially distanced seating.

Tickets in advance (plus fees) are $18, $16 for ages 55 and older, $13 for students. Tickets at the door are $2 more, minus fees. To order, visit GGCCevents.org.

Livestream option is $15 (plus fees) at showtix4u.com.