San Diego Musical Theatre's FIRST DATE Casting Announced

San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) announced today the complete cast and creative team for the San Diego Regional Premiere of First Date. This musical comedy includes music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, with a book by Austin Winsberg. First Date marks the opening of SDMT's 2017 Off Broadway Series and features direction by J. Scott Lapp, music direction by Jon Lorenz, and choreography by Allison Spratt Pearce. Performances run from March 31 - May 7, 2017 at the Horton Grand Theatre. Press opening is Saturday, April 8 at 8:00 p.m.

You go on a blind date organized by your sister's husband or a work colleague, and you meet a complete stranger in a busy, inner-city café; What could possibly go wrong - apart from everything? Opposites attract in this uproarious romantic musical comedy about the chances we take to find love. When blind date newbie Aaron meets serial dater Casey, a first date turns into a hilarious high stakes dinner. In an unexpected twist, Aaron and Casey's inner critics' transform restaurant patrons into scheming exes, overbearing parents, and supportive best friends who sing and dance them through their date. Will Aaron and Casey be able to turn this disastrous date around before the check arrives?

"This charming, snappy show first came across my radar when it was produced in Seattle at the ACT Theatre," shared director J. Scott Lapp. "I had previously worked on Warner Brother's Secondhand Lions with the writers of First Date, Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner and after hearing some of the clever lyrics and catchy score, I began following the show as it made its way to the east coast where it landed on Broadway. First Date is the perfect date night show and playing at the historic Horton Grand in the Gaslamp district only adds to its charm and appeal. I'm thrilled to be back in my hometown of San Diego and getting to work with SDMT and this incredible cast of artists and comedians is an opportunity I couldn't resist," says Lapp.

The exceptional cast includes Joshua Cavanaugh as Aaron, Cassandra Nuss as Casey, Zackary Scot Wolfe as Man 1, Lauren King Thompson as Woman 1, Jonathan Sangster as Man 2, Lindsay Joan as Woman 2, and John Massey as Man 3.

The creative team is comprised of J. Scott Lapp (Director), Jon Lorenz (Music Director), Allison Spratt Pearce (Choreographer), Stephen Gifford (Set Design), AJ Paulin (Lighting Design), Kevin Anthenhill (Sound Design), Janet Pitcher (Costume Design), David Medina (Properties Design), Bret Young (Production Manager), Craig Campbell (Company Manager), and Paul Morgavo (Stage Manager).

J. Scott Lapp (Director) is thrilled to be working back in his hometown of San Diego with SDMT and this incredible cast! Jeremy is an alumnus of the Directors Lab West, a proud member of the SDC and a 2011 SDC Emerging Artist. He is also the Artistic Director of The Barn Stage Company in Temecula, California where he recently directed Chess in Concert and Peter and The Starcatcher. Associate/Assistant Directing credits include Broadway: Bonnie and Clyde; National Tour: Murder for Two, Xanadu (La Jolla Playhouse, National Tour); Off-Broadway: Murder For Two (New World Stages, Second Stage); Regional: Rain (Old Globe), Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame (Paper Mill Playhouse, La Jolla Playhouse), Into the Woods (Old Globe), Secondhand Lions (5th Ave), Somewhere in Time (PCS), Good People (Old Globe), A Room With A View (Old Globe), Somewhere (Old Globe), Bonnie and Clyde (NY Workshop, La Jolla Playhouse, Asolo Repertory), Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin (La Jolla Playhouse). Selected directing credits include International: Murder for Two (Japan), New York: Freedom Riders, Wearing Black (NYMF); Regional: Murder for Two (Farmers Alley, The Red Barn Theatre), Peter and The Starcatcher, Spring Awakening, Urinetown The Musical (Barn Stage Company), Zapata! The Musical (New York), Murder for Two (Denver, Pittsburgh), The Untitled John Mayer Project (World Premiere). Upcoming projects include Sweeney Todd at the University of North Carolina Greensboro and Murder for Two at The Cape Cod Playhouse! He is a recipient of Noel Craig, PAMTA, Inland Theatre League, Patté, National Youth Theatre, Billy and Director's Choice awards. www.jscottlapp.com

Performances run March 31 - May 7, 2017 at the Horton Grand Theatre in the Gaslamp district of downtown San Diego. Showtimes are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. For more information on First Date and upcoming SDMT productions visit www.sdmt.org or call the box office at (858) 560-5740.

ABOUT SDMT

Founded in 2006, San Diego Musical Theatre is dedicated to passionately producing and providing musical theatre that ignites the human spirit. SDMT is proud to partner with local community non-profits as a part of its You Give, We Give campaign. For its production of First Date, SDMT is partnering with Scripps Health to raise awareness and funds for Scripps cardiovascular work.

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