Broadway Director and Big City Cast Comes to Lancaster for FIRST DATE

PRiMA Theatre, a boutique theatre organization in Lancaster, has released the director and cast lineup for FIRST DATE, a hilarious modern musical comedy, coming just in time for the month of Valentine's this February.

FIRST DATE
The hilarious modern musical comedy

• February 9, 10, 14, 16, 17, 23, 24
• Venue: Triode Media Group Cinema Stage

Imagine you're on a blind date and your opinionated best friend, your therapist and a bevy of broken-hearted exes show up. Throw in a soundtrack to rival the Top 40 and you've got First Date, the non-stop laughter-inducing Broadway musical. This PG-13 musical focuses on the story of when Aaron meets Casey, where a casual drink turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner. The audience is invited into the journey of a dating disaster turning into an unforgettable night. First Date's script is by Austin Winsberg, with music and lyrics by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner.

PRiMA Theatre is creating the setting of a Manhattan restaurant within the performance venue of a Lancaster City cinema film stage at Triode Media Group. Free on-site parking is readily available, and this unique space offers a creative atmosphere for a night of contemporary theatre. Tickets start at $26.00 and are available by phone or website: 717-327-5124, www.primatheatre.org.

The Director, alongside two of the lead performers, are coming in from California. Two other performers (Mikey and Rori) are joining the cast from New York City. Duane Hespell, a familiar comedic talent to the PRiMA stage, rounds out the cast as the local cast member.

Production team photos available at www.primatheatre.org/media.

J. Scott Lapp (Director) worked on the directing team for Broadway's Bonnie & Clyde, as well as the premieres of Prince of Egypt, Rain, and Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. After First Date opens with PRiMA, Lapp immediately flies to Copenhagen for the international premiere of the new stage production of The Prince of Egypt. J. Scott Lapp is an alumnus of the Directors Lab West and a 2011 SDC Emerging Artist. www.jscottlapp.com

Check out a brief interview with the director below:

Joshua David Cavanaugh (Aaron) was recently seen in the San Diego premiere of First Date. He's played leading roles at regional theaters on both coasts. Joshua holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Chapman University and a MM in Vocal Performance from NYU. www.joshuadavidcavanaugh.com

Courtney Daniels (Casey) recently finished playing Sherrie in Rock of Ages with the original Broadway creative team. Courtney has traveled the world performing for the Disney and Norwegian cruise lines. She has appeared on shows for Netflix and the Lifetime Network, and often performs on national television singing the National Anthem for the NFL and NHL.

Rori Nogee (Woman 1) calls NYC home, where she has appeared on Broadway and Off-Broadway productions including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Showgirls, The Musical! She also has national tour and regional credits including Maureen in Rent, and Rizzo in Grease. Rori wrote the book, music and lyrics for Siren's Den: A New Rock Musical. www.rorinogee.com

Mikey LoBalsamo (Man 1) is also a resident of the Big Apple, who received his BFA in Musical Theatre at Pace University. Favorite roles include: Charlie Brown (Your'e a Good Man, Charlie Brown), Gomez (The Addams Family) and Max Bialystock (The Producers).

Duane Hespell (Man 2) is the show's only local performer. He is a beloved face on the PRiMA stage, appearing in Big Fish, Oz In Concert, Guilty Pleasures, and Snow Queen's Party.

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