Keith Rice and Norah Long, two of Michael Brindisi's favorite actors, have signed to do "I Do, I Do" in the Chanhassen Dinner Theater's Fireside Room. A director hasn't been announced for the show, which will open Sept. 24.
"I Do, I Do" became a local, and even national, phenomenon when David Anders and Susan Goeppinger ran for more than 22 years, beginning in 1971. That production was downstairs, in Chanhassen's 100-seat Playhouse, and became the longest-running play in American theater history with the same cast.
Chanhassen has brought the piece back at least once, with Steven Hendrickson and Delrae Knutson playing the characters of Michael and Agnes, who we see on their wedding day and then watch as they age through marriage.
Rice has been quite steady for more than a decade at Chanhassen. He's been Harold Hill in "The Music Man," Gaston in "Beauty and the Beast" and Curly in "Oklahoma!" among many other things. Long first arrived with 2001's "My Fair Lady" and has returned for "Camelot," "Sound of Music" and recently "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers." Which, incidentally, yoked her with Rice as the romantic leads.
Artistic director Brindisi and Venuworks owner Steve Peters recently bought the business from Tom Scallen. After "Footloose" closes in the main room this summer, Brindisi will open "All Shook Up" on Aug. 6; "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Hairspray" are on the calendar for next year. Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret will set up in the Playhouse.