The ACU Department of Theatre is performing I Do! I Do!, a musical based on The Fourposter, a play by Jan de Hartog.

I Do! I Do! opened Aug. 19 and runs through the Aug. 28 in the Culp Theatre. Each performance begins at 7:30.

The play starts off on the wedding night of Agnes and Michael Snow, and then follows the couple through 50 years of marriage.

With only two characters in the cast, Carlee Cagle and Jefferson Ferguson have to discover character arcs for not only one character, but for one character at different stages of life.

“Two people shows have their own demands,” Adam Hester said. “The audience has met the whole cast after meeting those two. As the play progresses the audience discovers more intricate parts and dynamics of the character.”

Adam Hester, who serves as chair for the Department of Theatre at ACU, is directing the production. Hester has had a long history with I Do! I Do! In 1976 as a junior at ACU, Hester was the assistant director for the play, a position similar to today’s stage manager. In 1982 he and his wife Donna performed as the married couple in The Fourposter.

As a director, Hester has changed how the story is told. The play takes place all in Michael and Agnes’ bedroom; however, there is one major difference from when Hester was acted.

“The most different thing is it’s being staged in a round,” Hester explained. “With the audience in all directions it makes a much more intimate environment.”

The round stage allows the audience to view the performance from angles not seen on a traditional stage, and this performance enhances the viewing experience with a manually revolving stage.

The book and lyrics of I Do! I Do! are by Tom Jones, with the music by Harvey Schmidt.

Music is provided by Dr. Kay Williams, an assistant professor of music, and Dr. Pauline Kung Bjorem, also an assistant professor of music, director of piano division and director of ACU Piano Fest. They will be performing on two baby grand pianos.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the box office inside the Williams Performing Arts Center.

Students are able to get a student rush discount half an hour before the show starts, for half the normal price.

The performance for Saturday, Aug. 28 is already sold out, however, and ticket sellers at the box office anticipate that all shows will be sold out before Friday night.

The Culp Auditorium seats 140 and does not offer standing-room only.