Marriage is a Very Good Thing But it’s not Easy
Reviewed by Marilu Murphy
I was very much looking toward to seeing this theatre production knowing that the only two actors were Michael Vanhevel and Sarah Higgins. Both are brimming with talent and very captivating on stage. Michael and Sarah are husband and wife in I Do! I Do!, a classic musical about a wedding in 1890 and then spanning the next 50 years.
I Do! I Do! is now on stage at the Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia.
The stage is set with a four-poster bed, a chair and a fainting couch. On each side wall there is a “His” and “Hers” matching cupboard and drawers. He has the desk on his side of the stage and she has the dressing table and mirror on her side of the stage.
The opening scene is the 1890 wedding between a man and a very inexperienced and naive bride. The music, singing and harmonizing is flawless until Vanhevel’s mic started having a few issues. His voice became somewhat muffled. It wasn’t long however before the technicians had corrected the problem. The show must go on and it did with Agnes, the dutiful wife, paying close attention and acting upon her husband Michael’s every whim, until… he becomes much more successful.
He is not the same man as he was when Agnes married him. As in any marriage, the relationship grows and changes. Michael and Agnes have a family, Agnes cares for the children and Michael has his career. Like a tug of war throughout life there is hardship and heartache, giving and taking, even talk of infidelity and divorce. Agnes and Michael show the audience the pain and suffering during the hard times but it’s with humour, and acting that is so captivating. Sarah’s depiction of a disgruntled housewife is hilarious. Her sound effects and facial expressions are priceless. Michael is that husband that you’d like to kick in the butt. His performance of a conceited, self-centred husband is believable and I was totally caught up in the story. There are bright and relaxed times in the marriage as well, with lots of humour and singing. I could hear the oohs and ahhs in the audience as they watched each scene. They are as captivated as I am with the professionalism, fine acting and tremendous singing.
Michael Vanhevel and Sarah Higgins brought the house down with a spectacular display of singing, dancing and acting. Vanhevel is, of course, a regular at Victoria Playhouse and always popular with his smooth singing. Sarah starred in Dear Jack, Dear Louise at VPP last season, where she endeared herself to the audience. We will be happy to see more of both these performers. The audience thoroughly enjoyed every minute of I Do! I Do! and showed their appreciation with a standing ovation.
This production of I Do! I Do! Is a must see. I am not the only one that felt this way about this theatre performance. I overheard others in the audience saying that they wanted to see it again.
I Do! I Do! is playing at the Victoria Playhouse in Petrolia from May 12 to May 29 at 2 PM and on May 29 there is a showing at 7:30 PM with a cabaret following the performance. You can order tickets online at https://thevpp.ca/ or call the Box Office at 1-800-717-7694 or 519-882-1221.
Photo: Michael Vanhevel as Michael and Sarah Higgins as Agnes. Photo by Diane O’Dell.
I Do! I Do!
Books and Lyrics by Tom Jones
Music by Harvey Schmidt
Director/Choreographer: David Hogan
Musical Director: Mark Payne
Starring Sarah Higgins and Michael Vanhevel
Music: Evan Chamber (percussion), Charlie Kramer (bass), Nathan Nykor (keys)
Victoria Playhouse, Petrolia
May 12 to May 29, 2026
Reviewed by Marilu Murphy