Most of us have been on one — a first date with someone we didn’t know.
No matter what our expectations might be, first dates can take us in directions we never anticipated.
And that’s the premise of Point Loma Playhouse’s latest production, “First Date,” a musical comedy that navigates the awkwardness, risks and rewards of modern dating.
“I think it’s something everybody can relate to,” said director Kara Tuckfield. “The insecurities, the trying too hard, the ‘Oh my gosh! I like this person’ or the ‘Oh my gosh! I never want to see this person again.’
“And the songs are delightfully fun. I think everybody can find some part of themselves in the story.”
The show, with a book by Austin Winsberg, music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, music direction by Leigh Scarritt and production by Coco Sein and Kim Short, opens March 28 and continues on weekends through April 20.
Here’s the setup: Aaron, a blind-date newbie, meets Casey, a seasoned serial dater, at a bustling New York restaurant. Chaos and chemistry ensue as they’re visited by the ghosts inside their heads, including inner critics, overbearing exes, protective parents and best friends who come to life in song and dance on the stage with a healthy dose of humor thrown in.
“During our first run-through, just reading it and singing it for the first time, I was absolutely overwhelmed by the talent that is in this cast and how fortunate as a director I am to have these people,” Tuckfield said. “They’re all superb and on point and delightful. There are moments in this show that are very funny and moments that are very poignant.”
Adam Sussman, who plays Aaron, said he appreciates the challenges that “First Date” presents for him as an actor.
“It pretty much takes places at one location the entire show, and with the close proximity of all the characters, there’s not really an off moment for Aaron or Casey at the bar. So this is a new experience for me.”
Sussman said he’s usually cast as a more cavalier character. “This was one of the first times where I’ve had to reel that back and understand that Aaron’s a ‘nervous Nellie.’ But underneath it all, he does have the makings of a very genuine and heartfelt man who wants to get across that he’s a lover and he loves to love. He just doesn’t know how to properly convey that to people.”
Casey, the seasoned dater who has well-built protective partitions in place at the beginning of the date, is played by Sarah Enos.
“Casey has put up walls because she’s afraid of getting hurt, and that prevents her from finding the right romantic partner and relationship for herself,” Enos said. “So you see how far Aaron can take her from Point A to Point B by the end of the night. I think a lot of people can relate to having certain barriers to protect yourself in fear of being too vulnerable with the wrong person or getting hurt.”
Tuckfield, who also acts, agreed. “I think the message behind ‘First Date’ is there’s always somebody out there who will fit you. Sometimes it can take a long time. But if you keep yourself open to the opportunities and chances that life brings you, you can find your person, your place, your fit in the world. But you have to take the risk.”
The show also addresses social media and the limiting role it can play in dating.
“It takes topics like that and says to the audience ‘Why don’t you just try talking to them? Why don’t you just see them for who they truly are?’” Sussman said. “I think nowadays people are scared to do that. I think they’re scared to see who the type of person they’re talking to truly is. I want the audience takeaway to be ‘Never be afraid to give somebody that chance.’”
Tuckfield said the musical’s emotional nuances are teased out by the simplicity and smallness of the set.
“We’re a community theater and we have challenges that come with being in a community theater,” she said. “We can’t have a huge set. We don’t have great budgets, but that’s what makes the show so charming. You’re forced to be very creative in how you approach your staging and set design. It gives you the opportunity to really think outside the box.”
For Enos, who has a day job, acting and singing in community theater give her an outlet to perform — something she’s done since her freshman year of high school.
“I enjoy performing,” she said. “It’s fun for me and it adds an element of variation in my life where it feels like it’s not the same exact thing every day.
“The other big part is community. I like getting to work with other actors and meet new people who have similar interests.”
Sussman said he hopes acting and singing will take him to Broadway.
“Broadway is something that not only appeals to me from a professional standpoint but from a personal one, too,” he said. “I have a lot of heroes that I looked up to on Broadway. But I absolutely would be lying if I said community theater was not important at all. I’ve gotten to do some amazing productions over the years at community theaters that gave me a lot more opportunity in discovering more about the characters I play and the way I present those characters for people in the audience.”
‘First Date’
When: Friday, March 28, through Sunday, April 20. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays, except for Saturdays, March 29 and April 5, when there will no performances.
Where: Point Loma Playhouse, 3035 Talbot St.
Cost: $28; $25 for of groups of six or more
Tickets and information: pointlomaplayhouse.com
