- May 2, 2024
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Two actors, who took differents paths in life — one a career touring on stage, and the other a career in the courtroom — share the stage in the Palm Coast City Repertory Theatre's upcoming production of "I Do, I Do."
The show, written by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones and based on "The Four Bedposts," tells the story of the 50-year marriage of Michael and Agnes. The audience will follow their relationship through the wedding night jitters, raising a family and negotiating mid-life crises. The marriage hits the rocks when one of them is unfaithful, but their love and forgiveness is strong enough to keep them together to rediscover how much they really need each other. After 50 years of marriage, the couple leaves their house to the next pair of newlyweds, and the cycle begins again.
CRT's rendition follows the original play, in that it's set in an earlier time period.
"We thought it would be interesting to look at an innocent time period in more recent history; so it begins in 1955," said Truilo, who plays Agnes. "People's attitudes about marriage and staying in a marriage that long has certainly changed."
Truilo, who many know offstage as the executive director for Ormond Beach Mainstreet, is no stranger to the stage. For more than 20 years, she worked as an actor and singer in New York and an opera singer in Europe.
Included in her credits are being in the cast of the first New York revival of "A Little Night Music," and being on the national tour of "Pirates of Penzance" for almost two years. She also worked with the Santa Fe Opera before returning to her hometown of Daytona Beach, where she worked with Seaside Music Theater on stage and as the managing director until it closed in 2008.
Trulio is joined on stage by Lloyd Bowers. Bowers studied theater at the University of Virginia, but after scoring well on the LSAT, he heeded the advice of his parents, put acting on hold and pursued a career in law.
He practiced in New Orleans until moving to Daytona Beach, where he helped form the Law Offices of Wickersham and Bowers.
Soon after settling in, Bowers met Truilo and joined the board at Seaside. He hadn't made his way back to the stage until a call from Truilo convinced him to sing alongside her in CRT's 2013 production of "Side by Side by Sondheim."
The cast of "I Do, I Do," is rounded out by pianist Rusty Baker.
"It's pure joy working with these three," said John Sbordone, artistic director and cofounder of City Repertory Theatre.
The actors are also having a great time, which is evident by their performance.
"We have a long-standing friendship," Bowers said. "It's so close that it's almost like we are married; we can complete each other sentences. There's a security in each other to get through this show."
Bowers said that having that foundation has made it interesting to explore the two characters.
"Julia is a wonderful professional performer, so it's helpful for me to know that I can lean on her tremendously, especially in the dance," Bowers said laughing, as he sat in the theater before a run of Act 1.
For Truilo, who did this show 25 years ago, it makes it interesting to revisit.
"I have much more confidence as a performer," she said, sitting across the aisle from Bowers." I wasn't married the last time; now I have been for 20 years. I understand the changes you go through as a married couple and can bring a little more experience. It's an interesting perspective."
The other difference is the intimate space of CRT's storefront theater. The small quarters allow for more of a conversational approach, rather than the singers belting it out, as they would on a larger stage, which tends to draw the audience into the show more.
"The people who are here with us are going to experience what we experience, and that makes for a different style of acting," Truilo said.
IF YOU GO:
What: "I Do, I Do:
Where: City Repertory Theatre ,160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B207, Palm Coast
When: Nine performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, March 21, 22, 28 and 29, and April 4 and 5; 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22; and 2 p.m. Sundays March 30 and April 6
Tickets: Adult $20, student $15; visit crtpalmcoast.com, or call 585-9415.
