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By Mariah Reed
Drawing from the creators’ personal experiences, the musical First Date from The Pompano Players will feel instantly familiar to anyone who has ever endured a blind date. The series of hilariously staged scenes and songs capture the trials and tribulations of this dreaded rite of passage with wit and warmth.
Together, the ensemble embodies the many voices and influences in Aaron and Casey’s lives that threaten to derail their potential relationship. The production thoughtfully explores how fear, doubt, and painful past experiences can shape our thinking, sometimes leading us to walk away from what may be best for us. This deeper message is delivered in an accessible and highly entertaining way, underscoring just how difficult finding “the one” can be.
The work by Austin Winsberg, with music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner. premiered in Seattle in 2012 as a co-production between ACT Theatre and The 5th Avenue Theatre, before opening on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre on August 8, 2013.
Director Joseph Zettelmaier strikes gold once again with an expertly cast ensemble. Brendan Feingold’s Aaron is the ultimate mensch, nervously navigating his first date after a painful breakup, while Samara Shavrick tugs at the heartstrings as Casey, a seemingly savvy serial dater masking deep insecurity and longing.
Michael Materdomini displays impressive range as he shifts seamlessly from macho posturer to stoner to devoted husband. As Casey’s sister Lauren, Jessica Perry perfectly balances overbearing advice-giver with encouraging cheerleader, and Michael Scott Ross is consistently spot-on as Casey’s ultra-conservative father, a charmingly flamboyant waiter, and a host of other characters.
The standout performance belongs to Quinn Doyle as Reggie, Casey’s loyal best friend, whose barrage of “bail-out” calls are side-splitting attempts to rescue her from romantic disaster. Doyle’s uproariously funny performance, highlighted by sublime physical comedy, evokes echoes of the great Jim Carrey.
Zettelmaier keeps the action brisk, with no lag in tempo and clever blocking that makes full use of the stage.
Relationships feel authentic, and moments of vulnerability land with emotional impact. Particularly moving is Casey’s solo, “Safer,” in which she reveals her choice to armor herself with cynicism rather than risk an open heart. Later, actress Jessica Perry delivers another emotionally resonant moment in a duet with Feingold, offering an aching reflection on time lost from the perspective of a career mother in “The Things I Never Said.”
Vocally, the cast shines, while Briley Crisafi’s choreography is playful, inventive, and laugh-out-loud funny, perfectly supporting the needs of each scene. Music Director Elijah Gee’s work is consistently on point, and Penelope Williams’ costumes allow for swift character transformations that enhance both pacing and storytelling.
Additional kudos go to Stage Manager Shana Goldman for flawless cue execution, Elizabeth Guerra for assistant direction, Lowell Richard for lighting that enhances mood and theme, and Kat Davis for a simple yet effective scenic design that allows for fluid transitions without sacrificing clarity of environment.
One minor distraction arose during group numbers when background vocals occasionally overwhelmed the leads, making some of the clever lyrics difficult to discern. While solos and duets were crystal clear, the lack of intelligibility in ensemble moments proved mildly frustrating.
Even so, First Date remains a delightful evening of theater. It is clever, heartfelt, and consistently entertaining. With a full house in attendance, it’s clear Pompano Beach is beginning to recognize the gem it has in the Pompano Players. This reviewer strongly recommends reserving tickets early for the company’s future productions.
First Date from the Pompano Players runs through Feb. 15 at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, 50 W Atlantic Blvd, Pompano Beach; 7 p.m. Feb 13 and 14, 2 p.m. Feb. 14 and 15. Tickets: https://www.pompanobeacharts.org/events/first-date or call 954-501-1910
Mariah Reed is an Equity actress, produced playwright and tenured theatre professor.
