Director Gene Flake presents: I Do! I Do! The dinner theater will be showing Upstairs at the Grotto, Feb. 19-22. Proceeds benefit The Purple Flower – Carroll County’s only lifeline for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
Converted from Jan de Hartog’s The Fourposter, the show was first produced on Broadway in 1966, starring Mary Martin and Robert Preston. It tells the story of Agnes and George’s marriage, from their wedding night to 50 years later. The two-character play is set behind the walls of the couple’s bedroom. As they ride out very relatable ups and downs of marriage, the couple ages before your eyes with the bed propped front and center – turning as the world does.
“Our goal is to raise as much money as we can for the Purple Flower,” Flake said, “Plus, get our theater gig on.”
Flake has lived in Eureka Springs for three years. After a career in the Marine Corps, he ended up in a college theater class by accident – it was the only elective left, one of those lucky or fated happenstances. It pulled him like gravity, and he soon graduated with a degree in theater.
He worked professionally in Dallas for a short period and then became a founding member of the Theater Arlington in Arlington, Texas. Thereafter, Flake moved mainly into directing, what he enjoys the most. “It’s more of a hassle – because you have so many balls in the air, people to keep happy, people to keep going and motivated. I love being able to produce the final product. And then I stand in the shadows.”
Flake worked for several community theaters before moving to the Ozarks, where he began putting on shows to raise money for local nonprofits in need. In Dec. 2025, he took the stage for the first time in 35 years to play Scrooge in The Christmas Carol – a production of Eureka Theater Company, directed by Chaon Cross.
Last year, his show raised $7400 for Good Shepherd Humane Society – where Flake has volunteered since arriving in Eureka Springs. The production, And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, was a drama about three sisters who hated each other, and had to be in the same room – “So, we got to watch what went on,” he said with a chuckle.
Flake is enthusiastic about a story. While observing the rehearsal, he would point out nuances in the storyline and characters with delight in his voice. The stage had yet to be set, and it was too early in rehearsals for costumes. He made sure I could see the full picture, as attentive to his audience as he was his cast and crew. Though with his team of 15 dedicated and professional volunteers, the picture was already painting itself.
“It’s a two-character play and we’ve got 15 staff members. We’ve got sound, lights, stage manager, costumes, choreography, pianist, vocal coach… it takes all of that to pull it together. All these people have volunteered to help in those various roles.”
The role of Agnes is played by Juli Tapken of Berryville. An accomplished actress, Tapken has acted in several independent films, TV shows, commercials, and spent years performing in Branson. Her body of work includes appearances in Providence, A Second Chance, Nashville, Homicide Hunters, and Raiding the Country Vault.
Playing opposite of Tapken is Justin Robins of Eureka Springs, who plays the role of George. Robins has the distinction that these are very his first adult roles. As a kid, Robins played Caliban in The Tempest and enjoyed the experience so much that he kept ahold of the spark which finally led him back into theater.
Last year, Flake cast Robins in a “very unlikeable role – because of the chaos they were causing. Yet, he was so good, that he got applause. Every time he went out that door, he got applause. Every time.”
The same went for Tapken, Flake explained. “She played another very unlikeable character – but people fell in love nonetheless because of what she could do.”
Tickets for this special experience are on sale now at thepurpleflower.org/musicaldinner. Prices are $79, $69 for the matinee – a steal for a nice dinner paired with a performance worthy of Broadway’s spotlight. Special rates will be available for VIP group reservations. A very limited number of non-dinner tickets will also be available for $25.