July 25, 2022

When blind date newbie Aaron is set up with serial dater Casey, a casual drink at a bustling New York restaurant turns into a hilarious, high-stakes dinner party. As the date unfolds, Casey and Aaron’s inner critics come to life as supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents sing and dance them through icebreakers, appetizers and potential conversational landmines.

Can this couple turn what could be a romantic disaster into something special before the check arrives? Find out in the University Theater’s production of “First Date,” which runs July 28 through August 7 at the Department of Theater and Drama’s Ronald E. Mitchell Theater.

Directed by Ross Shenker – the musical director of the recent hit University Theater production “Heathers” – the show will feature the talents of Danielle Bullock, Christian Michael Brenny, Bree Bylak, Annika Hauser, Liam McCarthy, Malcolm McCanles and Alegra Waverley . Eric Sayre is the musical director for the production, with scenic design by Juliana Gessner assisted by Elise Picard, costume design by Shannon Heibler, lighting design by Conor Wiedenbeck and sound design by Isabel White.

Other contributors include Heron Splinter as sound engineer, technical direction by Rob Wagner, lighting and sound supervision by Ryan Bertelson, and property direction by Kaya Sarajian. Aleph Dankert is the stage manager, assisted by Gwen Fraser and Xinyuan Wu.

Tickets are available now at artsticketing.wisc.edu or by calling 608-265-2787. Use promo code AWKWARD when ordering to get two tickets for the price of one!

This production is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Brittingham Trust and the Anonymous Block Grant.

Buy tickets for “First Date”.

Content Warning: This production contains adult language and content and simulated smoking.