Williams Street Repertory brings the ups and downs of dating to the stage at downtown Crystal Lake's Raue Center For The Arts with "First Date." The hysterical and hopeful Broadway musical about the chances we all take to find love opens January 20, 2017.
When blind date newbie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner. As the date unfolds in real time, the couple finds that they are not alone on this unpredictable evening.
In a delightful and unexpected twist, Casey and Aaron's inner critics take on lives of their own when other restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, protective parents and manipulative exes, who sing and dance the couple through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational landmines. Can this couple turn what could be a dating disaster into something special before the check arrives?
WSR held a successful Wine and Line open rehearsal of "First Date" on December 12. Guests met in Raue Center's cozy new café to watch the cast of "First Date" take their first steps toward the show's opening on January 20. After watching the cast jump into the fast and funny songs of this modern romantic comedy musical, the guests stayed to mingle, raise a glass and laugh with the creative team of "First Date."
"A good time was had by all," says Raue Center's Development Manager, James Knight, "Everyone who took part in the Wine and Line event agreed that 'First Date' is definitely something to watch out for in the New Year."
WSR's production of "First Date" features:
Mackenzie Curran as Casey
Christopher Davis* as Aaron
Dan Hamman as Man #1
Kara Schoenhofer as Woman #1
Billy Seger as Man #2
Carmen Risi as Woman #2
Thomas Squires as Man #3
Understudies: Jenna Payne & Evan Cullinan
Director: Robin M. Hughes, Member of SDC
Choreographer: Jennifer Cupani
Music Direction: Mike Potts
WSR's production of "First Date" is part of Chicago Theatre Week 2017! Chicago Theatre Week is a celebration of Chicago's world-class theatre scene presented by the League of Chicago Theatre's in partnership with Choose Chicago. Chicago Theatre Week will take place February 9 - 19, 2017. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.
WSR's production of "First Date" opens January 20, 2017 at Raue Center and runs select dates through February 12, 2017. For more information, please visit wsrep.org.
WSR is a member of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American theatre. TCG has existed to strengthen, nurture and promote the professional not-for-profit American theatre for over 50 years.
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Founding Artistic Director: Richard Kuranda, SDC
Production Stage Manager: Caitlin I. Quinn
Producing Director: Mike Vandercook
Company Manager: Kate Wilford
Marketing Manager: Miriam Naponelli
Marketing Manager: Michele V. Knight
Raue Center offers special seating arrangements and hearing devices for patrons with disabilities. Please call the box office at 815.356.9212 to make arrangements prior to the performance.
Raue Center Box Office | 815.356.9212 | 12 to 4p | Mon-Sat | Open Sundays on performance days 1 hour prior to performance.
www.rauecenter.org
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