Photo Flash: First Look at Drama Learning Center's FIRST DATE

Drama Learning Center's professional training company for emerging young artists will present the area premiere of new musical comedy First Date this month. When blind date newbie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilariously 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 check arrives?

First Date features a book by Austin Winsberg ("Gossip Girl," "Jake in Progress") and music and lyrics by by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (Secondhand Lions). The musical comedy debuted on Broadway in 2013 and ran for five months. This production marks the first run from a company in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area.

Drama Learning Center's Professional Training Company, TYA (Training Young Artists), presents its Winter production of First Date the Musical from January 15-23, 2016 at Drama Learning Center in Columbia. Available by audition only, the TYA program allows students to work in a professional theatre environment as they learn about all aspects of theatrical work. TYA has a strong history of bringing cutting-edge titles to local audiences. The group has previously mounted area premieres of Carrie the Musical, GHOST the Musical, 13 the Musical, Legally Blonde, and High School Musical. This production continues TYA's long-standing tradition of producing professional contemporary musical theatre.

First Date the Musical is presented by permission through special arrangement with R&H Theatricals.