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Theater's Power Couples: From Cate Blanchett And Andrew Upton To Maggie Gyllenhaal And Peter Sarsgaard (PHOTOS)

Theater's Biggest Power Couples
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Everybody loves celebrity couples. And everybody really loves when an onscreen romance turns into an offscreen one (or vice versa). While nobody ever pays much attention to couples working in the theater world, believe us, there are plenty. Whether they star opposite each other on the stage or are stage stars in their own right, we've picked out our favorite couples working in theater.

The creative force behind the production of "Uncle Vanya," currently running at Lincoln Center Festival is none other than Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton, who have been married since 1997. The play -- adapted by Upton and starring Cate Blanchett -- is in New York for a hot minute by way of the Sydney Theatre Company, where the couple currently co-head as artistic directors. How cool is that? And then there's the dynamic duo, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard, who have performed opposite one other in two different Chekhov plays at Classic Stage Company in New York.

People say it's impossible to work with your romantic partner, but (most) of the couples featured in the following slideshow have made it work just fine. Click on for more!

Theatrical Power Couples
Cate Blanchett & Andrew Upton (01 of13)
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Both Australian, actress Cate Blanchett and playwright, screenwriter, and director Andrew Upton were married in 1997. The two often collaborate both in film and theater. Their latest collaboration has been Sydney Theatre Company's production of 'Uncle Vanya,' (currently running at Lincoln Center Festival). Upton adapted the play and Blanchett is staring as Yelena. Blanchett and Upton currently serve as artistic directors of the Sydney Theatre Company, although they will be stepping down at the end of 2013. Aside from their collaborative theatre careers, together they founded a film production company called, 'Dirty Films' producing the short film 'Bangers' and the feature film 'Little Fish.' They are truly a dynamic duo to watch! (credit:Getty Images)
Willem Dafoe & Elizabeth LeCompte(02 of13)
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Although the two are now divorced (in 2004), they met in 1977 in Richard Schechner's 'The Performance Group' which later became 'The Wooster Group.' Dafoe and LeCompte founded 'The Wooster Group,' along with Jim Clayburgh, Spalding Gray, Libby Howes, Peyton Smith, Kate Valk and Ron Vawter. Despite their divorce, Dafoe continued to act with the company up until 2007. LeCompte continues as the artistic director of the company. (credit:Getty Images)
Jim Simpson & Sigourney Weaver(03 of13)
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In 1984, actress Sigourney Weaver married avant-garde theater and film director Jim Simpson (who is the founder and artistic director of The Flea Theater in NYC). The two met at the infamous Williamstown Theatre Festival where Weaver was performing in 'Old Times.' In 2003, Simpson directed the film 'The Guys,' which Weaver starred in. In a 2003 People Magazine article about their marriage and collaboration in the film they are quoted saying that, "We actually like each other's company...Make the right choice is what I say." (credit:Getty Images)
Peter Dinklage & Erica Schmidt (04 of13)
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In 2005, actor Peter Dinklage married theatre director Erica Schmidt. The two often collaborate theatrically and currently they have a production running at Bard's Summerscape festival in the Hudson Valley of NY. Schmidt directed Dinklange in Moliére's 'The Imaginary Invalid.' In 2008 (also at Bard SummerScape), Schmidt directed Dinklage in Chekhov's 'Uncle Vanya.' We can't get enough of the pair! (credit:Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic)
Maggie Gyllenhaal & Peter Sarsgaard(05 of13)
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Although the two actors are perhaps better known for their fim work, they are actually quite accomplished stage performers as well. In 2009 and again in 2010, they appeared in two Classic Stage Company Chekhov productions, first 'Uncle Vanya,' and then 'Three Sisters' ('Uncle Vanya' seems to be a recurring play for couple-collaborations, go figure...)! (credit:Getty Images)
Jessica Blank & Erik Jensen(06 of13)
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Although they both began as actors, Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen are most recently known for their two documentary-style plays. Their first play, 'The Exonerated,' was based on interviews they conducted with over 40 wrongfully convicted death row inmates around the United States. In 2009, their newest play 'Aftermath' premiered at the New York Theatre Workshop. 'Aftermath' is based on some 35 interviews they conducted with displaced Iraqi's living in Jordan. Blank and Jensen are quite the inspiration. (credit:Getty Images)
Amy Herzog & Sam Gold(07 of13)
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The theatrical spouses are currently having a tremendous season in the theatre world. Herzog is the author of '4000 Miles,' which was recently remounted at Lincoln Center. Director Sam Gold's 'Uncle Vanya,' is currently running at 'Soho Rep.' On top of their fantastic but busy careers, the two are expecting a baby! (credit:Getty Images)
Stew & Heidi Rodewald(08 of13)
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Although the Stew and Rodewald are no longer together, they have a long history of collaborating that they are not giving up anytime soon. The two met years ago in Los Angeles where they started making music together in the band, 'The Negro Problem.' Then they began writing a rock musical about Stew's L.A. childhood and his years spent in Amsterdam and Berlin. The production, 'Passing Strange,' was an instant hit--addicting, creative, and brilliant. Their most recent collaboration, 'Making It,' (a concert not a play) tells the story of the end of their romance. (credit:Getty Images)
Kate Arrington & Michael Shannon(09 of13)
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Michael Shannon and Kate Arrington are both accomplished actors. Shannon traverses between the mediums of stage and screen--he is currently starring in Soho Rep's production of 'Uncle Vanya.' Kate Arrington is an ensemble member at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago. It was recently announced that they will both be appearing in the Broadway premiere of 'Grace' by Craig Wright (also starring Paul Rudd), running at The Cort Theatre in the fall. (credit:Getty Images)
Sam Mendes & Rebecca Hall(10 of13)
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In 2011 it was confirmed that Rebecca Hall and Sam Mendes were in a relationship. Before they were dating (and while Mendes was still married to actress Kate Winslet), Mendes directed Hall in the first installment of Mendes' 'Bridge Project,' as Hermione in 'The Winter's Tale' and Varya in 'The Cherry Orchard.' (credit:Getty Images)
Idina Menzel & Taye Diggs(11 of13)
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Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs were married in 2003 and have taken Broadway by storm. The two first appeared in the original production of 'Rent' and then later performed together again in the off-Broadway production of 'The Wild Party.' The two were also seen performing together in 'Wicked,' as Diggs temporarily filled in for Norbert Leo Butz's Fiyero (Idina Menzel's character Elphaba's love interest). Not only does the couple perform opposite each other, in 2010 they founded 'A BroaderWay Foundation,' to support young people in the arts. Very cool! (credit:Getty Images)
Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman(12 of13)
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Composer, lyricist and performer Marc Shaiman and director, writer, and lyricist Scott Wittman have been partners in life as well as theatre collaborators since 1979. In 2003, they won a Tony Award for 'Hairspray,' and celebrated by publicly kissing on national television. We're in love! (credit:Getty Images)
Audra McDonald & Will Swenson (13 of13)
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The two Broadway superstars (Audra McDonald, the Tony Award winning actress and star of 'Porgy and Bess' and Will Swenson who starred in the recently closed 'Priscilla Queen of the Desert') were recently engaged! McDonald and Swenson were recently honored by PFLAG with the '2012 Straight for Equality in Entertainment Award.' (credit:Getty Images)
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