The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, The Farmer Wants a Wife, Dating in the Dark… Australia loves a dating TV show, and now independent theatre company, Pursued by Bear are giving Melbourne audiences a chance to experience one better – a dating musical, at Chapel Off Chapel from 1 September 2016.
With a Book by Austin Winsberg, and Music and Lyrics by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner, First Date The Musical made its Broadway debut in 2013 starring Zachary Levi (Chuck) and Krysta Rodriguez (Smash), and has finally made its way to Australia, along with a local twist… the setting has been updated from Lower Manhattan to the heart of Melbourne’s northside.
When online-dating newbie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy Fitzroy restaurant turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner. As the date unfolds in real time, the couple quickly finds that they are not alone on this unpredictable evening.
In a delightful and unexpected twist, Casey and Aaron’s inner critics take on a life of their own when other restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.
Can this couple turn what could be a dating disaster into something special before the bill arrives? If you’ve ever known the awkwardness of a first date (and let’s face it, who hasn’t?), or you’re the type of person who loves to laugh (and maybe cry) at The Bachelor or The Farmer Wants a Wife, then this is the show for you.
Director: Mark Taylor Featuring: Daniel Cosgrove, Rebecca Hetherington, Jordon Mahar, Nicole Melloy, Danielle O’Malley, Adam Porter, Stephen Valeri Musical Director: Stephanie Lewendon-Lowe Choreographer: Joel Anderson
First Date The Musical
Chapel Off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Season: 2 – 11 September 2016 (preview: 1 September)
Bookings: www.chapeloffchapel.com.au
For more information, visit: www.pursuedbybear.com.au for details.
Image: Jordon Mahar and Rebecca Hetherington feature in First Date The Musical (supplied)