First Date: We can all relate to trials, tribulations thanks to Drury Lane Theatre

Dating. It’s pretty much a universal experience that provokes delicious, breathless anticipation and excitement while simultaneously invoking supreme anxiety and ultimate terror.

Starting on May 3 and running through to May 26 at Drury Lane Theatre, characters Aaron and Casey will be embarking on this ubiquitous of human experiences, the First Date. 

Originally on Broadway in 2013, First Date takes the audience along to watch Aaron, a blind date rookie and Casey, a serial dater, as they meet one another for the first time at Lucky Mae’s Restaurant. The show, as described by The Hollywood Reporter (on MTI’s website) is a “winning crowd-pleaser, delivered with comic verve and charm”. 

Set in the present day, First Date portrays dating in today’s technologically-dependent environment, while exploring the timeless themes of love, hope and the search for human connection. 

Accompanied on the journey by an array of supporting characters representing Aaron and Casey’s family members and friends as well as the outrageous Restaurateur Lucky Mae, First Date delivers an evening of witty as well as heart-string tugging dialogue, interspersed with delightful and clever music and song.

As the final offering in Drury Lane’s 2023/24 Playbill, First Date welcomes back the perennial favourite Anne Barnshaw as music director and Marc Richard as director, who is returning to Drury after many years in academia. 

He remarked that First Date is built upon a universal theme in dating that we can all understand. “As time goes by there are things that change and things that don’t like ‘will he like me?’, ‘is she the right one, the one?”

Katharine Costa, who plays Women #2 but also participated on the Drury Lane Reading Committee that chose First Date for the company said “this touching show is so relatable, anyone, young or old who has dated in this technological age has been through what Aaron and Casey are experiencing and will say ‘I did that’ or ‘that happened to me’ when trying to find your first person or the your next one.”

Richard said Drury Lane Theatre is the perfect venue to experience First Date because of the intimacy of the theatre. “You will feel like you are right there with them, experiencing this first date with this twosome, the trials and tribulations. Often the characters talk right to the audience.”

Barnshaw agreed the audiences will enjoy the contemporary sound of the piece that is a mash up of different music styles.

Richard said: “the music is current with a blend of pop, rock but even showing some Broadway swagger”. 

The show has a “small but super talented cast that get to flex different parts of their musical chops” offering songs that help “inform us where the characters have been and where they are going,” added Barnshaw. 

Costa, who as Women #2 will sing some First Dates songs, said “the songs are beautifully written and will no doubt be earworms for people.” Audiences are  encouraged to take in this charming show during May. Costa assured that “the audience will leave laughing a nd smiling."

Richard concurred that First Date will provide an evening of entertainment with appealing universal themes. He likened the well-written comedy to some of the classic situation comedies such as The Carol Burnett Show or The Mary Tyler Moore Show. While poking fun at the mishaps and mistakes of a blind date, First Date offers a delightful glimpse into Aaron and Casey’s special night. We watch as they work through their insecurities and personality quirks, feeling vulnerable yet hopeful that true love is possible.

Don’t miss First Date, playing weekends from May 3-26 at Drury Lane Theatre.