All-Local Cast Assembled for DCPA's FIRST DATE

Denver Center for the Performing Arts Broadway/Cabaret announces an all local cast for the upcoming production of FIRST DATE, playing The Garner Galleria Theatre November 11, 2017 through April 22, 2018. Tickets start at $35 and go on sale to the public August 11 at denvercenter.org.

Please be advised that the Denver Center for the Performing Arts - denvercenter.org - is the ONLY authorized ticket provider for this productions in Denver. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should be aware that the DCPA is unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and is unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

Directed by Ray Roderick (The Last 5 Years, The Taffetas, Five Course Love and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), FIRST DATE features DCPA Cabaret returning favorites and exciting new faces:

• Adriane Wilson - Casey
• Seth Dhonau - Aaron
• Steven J. Burge - Man 1
• JorDan Leigh - Man 2
• Lauren Shealy - Woman 1
• Barret Harper - Male Understudy
• Cashelle Butler - Female Understudy

Learn more about the cast at http://dcpa.today/FirstDate

FIRST DATE creative team includes Martha Yordy (musical direction), Lisa M. Orzolek (scenic design), Charles R. MacLeod (lighting design), Meghan Anderson Doyle (costume design) and Craig Breitenbach (sound design).

ABOUT FIRST DATE
FIRST DATE is produced by DCPA Cabaret.
Book by Austin Winberg. Music and Lyrics by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner.
Orchestrations by August Eriksmoen.
Vocal and Incidental Music Arrangements by Dominick Amendum.

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 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?

ABOUT THE DENVER CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) is the largest non-profit theatre organization in the nation, presenting Broadway tours and producing theatre, cabaret, musicals, and innovative, multimedia plays. Last season the DCPA engaged with more than 1.2 million visitors, generating a $150 million economic impact in ticket sales alone. Follow the DCPA on social media @DenverCenter and through the Denver Center for the Performing Arts News Center.

The 2017/18 DCPA Broadway season is generously sponsored by BMW of Denver Downtown, UCHealth and United Airlines. Media sponsorship is provided by The Denver Post and CBS4. Denver Center for the Performing Arts is supported in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

MEET THE CAST:

ADRIANE WILSON (Casey) is overjoyed to be making her Denver Center debut in this production of First Date! Before migrating to Colorado, Adriane performed internationally with a number of Air Force troupes and with James Madison University's Children's Playshop in Harrisburg, Virginia. Since graduating from The University of Northern Colorado, Adriane has appeared on the stages of Little Theatre of the Rockies and Miner's Alley Playhouse, where she recently played Sally Bowles in Cabaret. Adriane was the recipient of Best Actress in a Musical at The European Toppers Awards in Heidelberg, Germany for her role of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz (Aviano Theatre) and an Irene Ryan Awards nomination for her performance as Laurie Williams in Oklahoma (University of Northern Colorado).

SETH DHONAU (Aaron). Since moving to Denver last year, Seth has been seen in several productions including Red Hot and Cole (Cherry Creek Theater) and Evita (Lone Tree Arts Center). Previously he lived in New York and sang with some of the top choirs in the area, appearing at both St. Patrick's Cathedral and Carnegie Hall. Seth studied opera, theater and economics at Northwestern University where he appeared in Bernstein's Mass, The Waa-Mu Show and multiple productions with the American Music Theatre Project.

STEVEN J. BURGE (Man 1) is thrilled to be back and treading the Denver Center boards again after making his Galleria debut last season as God in An Act of God. He made his Colorado debut in 2003 as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors following the national tours of ...And Then They Came for Me and A Christmas Carol. Since then, this award-winning character actor has appeared on stages throughout the Denver metro area including the Denver Center, the Arvada Center, the Curious Theatre, Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret and many others. Steven was the recipient of The Denver Post Ovation Award for Best Solo Performance in Fully Committed (Aurora Fox), a one-man show in which Steven portrayed more than 30 different characters. Steven has also been recognized for his work in Contrived Ending (Buntport Theatre) and Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (Avenue Theatre).

JorDan Leigh (Man 2) couldn't be happier to be back on the Garner Galleria stage for a 5th time after his record-setting run in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (1731 performances), Five Course Love, The Doyle and Debbie Show and Forbidden Broadway. A proud Denver native, he has appeared on stages across the city for 20 years, including his co-starring role with the DCPA Theatre Company as the Apostle, Matt in 2015's The 12 and in front of sell-out crowds at The Buell while co-starring in the DCPA Theatre Company's, White Christmas. An award-winning film actor as well, (three-time Best Actor-48 Hour Filmmaking Project/Special Screening Cannes), he recently appeared alongside Hollywood legends, Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, in the Netflix feature, Our Souls at Night. Proud 17-year member of Actors Equity Association! Much love to Hannah...

Lauren Shealy (Woman 1) DCPA Cabaret: Forbidden Broadway (Woman 2), The Doyle and Debbie Show (Debbie), I Love You, You're Perfect... (Woman 2). DCPA Theatre Company: Sweeney Todd (Swing), A Christmas Carol (Ensemble). Off Broadway: Lingoland (Lauren), How to Succeed In Business... (Rosemary). The Arvada Center: White Christmas (Betty), A Man Of No Importance (Mrs. Patrick), Curtains (Georgia), Miracle On 34th Street (Doris), 1940's Radio Hour (Anne). Lone Tree Arts Center: Evita (Eva), South Pacific (Nellie). National Tour: South Pacific (Nellie). Other Theaters: Jekyll and Hyde (Lucy), Tick, Tick...Boom (Susan), Phantom (Christine). Training/Awards: NYU, Tisch; 2015 CTG Henry nomination for Best Actress in a Musical; Westword's Best Actress in a Musical for 2013.

BARRET HARPER (Male Understudy) Denver Center debut. Barret has performed across the country in New York, Arizona and Florida, but is thrilled to return to Denver, which he considers home. A Colorado native, he received his BFA in Theater Performance and BA Biochemistry from CU. He was most recently seen as Lonny in Rock of Ages at BDT Stage after two regional premieres of the production in Colorado and Arizona. Other favorite roles include Cornelius in Hello, Dolly!, Jinx in Forever Plaid, Mark in Altar Boyz, and Link in Hairspray. Regional: Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Arvada Center, Central City Opera, Arizona Broadway Theater, Broadway Palm Theater and Colorado Light Opera. Thanks to friends, family, and my beautiful wife for always encouraging me to dream. @BarretHarper

CASHELLE BUTLER (Female Understudy) is thrilled to be back in her hometown of Denver following two years playing Tanya on the national tour of MAMMA MIA!. Other credits include: Young Frankenstein (Elizabeth, Westword Best of Denver Award), The Marvelous Wonderettes (Cindy Lou), Parade (Lucille) and Legally Blonde (Paulette). University of Northern Colorado. Former DCPA Education student. Immense gratitude to DCPA, the cast, and the creatives. Love to Mom, Dad, Shea and Aaron. Cashelle-Butler.com @cashellebutler

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