FIRST DATE to Wrap Mason Street Warehouse's Season

Sparkling new comedy and final show of the season, First Date, is coming to Mason Street Warehouse (400 Culver Street) August 14. This will be the regional premiere of the musical Varietycalls "Flat-out ingenious," and will be on the Mason Street Warehouse's (MSW) stage through August 30. Tickets for First Date can be found atsc4a.org or by calling 269-857-2399.

MSW's fun, flirty show, First Date, takes place in a modern day New York restaurant, where blind date virgin, Aaron, and serial dater, Casey, experience the hopes, fears, and awkward pauses that follow the ups and downs of today's dating world. Watch as other restaurant patrons turn into inner critics, judgmental relatives, and supportive friends as the date takes its twists and turns in this hilarious musical comedy.

"I think just about everyone has been on a first date," said MSW Artistic Director, Kurt Stamm. "The truth is, there was a time when you did not know your significant other, and this show reminds us what it was like to deal with all the awkward and wonderful moments of discovery that come when you meet someone for the first time. First Date does an amazing job of revealing all the internal drama, fear, anxiety, and joy that we may experience when we meet someone new."

The story plays out in "real time" during the 90-minute performance. "The audience is watching the date unfold from beginning to end," Stamm explains. "First Date was called one of the "Five Funniest shows on Broadway" and it earned that title for a good reason. This is such a fun, fresh, pop musical - really a great bookend to our opening production ofCabaret."

First Date will be brought to life by a group of seven actors and musicians including Broadway professionals, MSW alumni, and MSW Center Stage performance interns. Equity actor Jeff Smith, and Los Angeles native and Equity actor Natalie Storrs will play the lead characters Aaron and Casey.

The musical's ensemble, made up of different characters who portray restaurant patrons, exes, family, and friends, will be played by University of Michigan graduate and Equity actress Bebe Browning, Western Michigan University student and MSW alumni Joe Cavaiani, Equity actress and MSW alumni Laurie Gardner, Equity actor Bryant Martin, and MSW alumni Phillip McLellan.

More information about First Date and tickets can be found at sc4a.org or by calling 269-857-2399.

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