The Chronicle

Cupid takes aim at Empire

Broadway comedy about dating

-

A BROADWAY musical comedy about dating in all its awkward and often humorous splendour will have its Queensland debut at the Empire Theatre.

First Date follows a couple, Casey and Aaron, as they go on a blind date in a New York City restaurant.

Casey is a serial dater and can never seem to find “the one”, while Aaron has recently been dumped from a long-term relationsh­ip. The remaining ensemble of five performers takes on multiple roles throughout the show, including best friends Reggie and Gabe, ex-fiancée Allison, the waiter, assorted relatives and the human embodiment­s of Facebook, Google, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Produced and directed by Shoebox Theatre Company’s Mary Quade, Simon Duncan and Helen Richards, the musical features a stellar cast of Toowoomba performers, including Dan Stewart, Jess Berwick, Elesha Hetheringt­on, Angela Ponting, Harrison Paroz, Matt Collins, Zack

Weedon, Katelyn Berry and Mike Escober.

Ms Quade said First Date was sure to be an entertaini­ng and hilarious night out for couples, friends – and even those venturing on a first date together.

“The great thing about musical theatre is that it can

break through those awkward and nerve-wracking topics and experience­s, such as first dates, and show them in an easily accessible, humorous light,” she said.

“Taking a comedic approach to something everyone can relate to has

proven to be entertaini­ng but also very useful in being able to make a sometimes awkward, anxious or awful experience much more bearable.”

First Date will play at the Armitage Centre from February 15-17. For tickets go to empirethea­tre.com.au.

❝ ...break through those awkward and nervewrack­ing topics... — Mary Quade

 ?? PHOTO: CONTRIBUTE­D ?? LOOKING FOR LOVE: Dan Stewart as Aaron and Jess Berwick as Casey experience the highs and lows of a first date together in this new musical comedy at the Armitage Centre this February.
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTE­D LOOKING FOR LOVE: Dan Stewart as Aaron and Jess Berwick as Casey experience the highs and lows of a first date together in this new musical comedy at the Armitage Centre this February.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Australia