{"id":106578,"date":"2023-05-30T13:04:16","date_gmt":"2023-05-30T20:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/?p=106578"},"modified":"2023-05-31T04:43:10","modified_gmt":"2023-05-31T11:43:10","slug":"first-date-a-musical-presented-by-avon-players-rochester-hills-mi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/forallevents.com\/reviews\/first-date-a-musical-presented-by-avon-players-rochester-hills-mi\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cFirst Date\u201d a Musical Presented by Avon Players, Rochester Hills MI"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (member, American Theatre Critics Association; Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle), and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle)<\/em><\/p>\n

Photos by Bryan Clifford<\/em><\/p>\n

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Hosanna Phillips, Christiaan Lafata, Adam Silorey, Lori Smith, Jonathan Farrell, Emily Brown, Adam Wager<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

Bright and Breezy \u201cFirst Date\u201d<\/strong><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

The musical romantic comedy \u201cFirst Date\u201d may (or may not) be the best place to take a first date. For one thing, there\u2019s controversial subjects, and frank discussions about sex and religion. And for another thing, it\u2019s about everything that can go wrong on a date that\u2019s set up by well-meaning folks who think you\u2019re missing out on life. So for a first date, who knows? But for everybody else…<\/p>\n

Starting life in 2012 as a world premiere in Seattle, Washington, \u201cFirst Date\u201d made its way to Broadway the following year, where it enjoyed a mostly successful five-month run. It was inspired by the personal experiences of writer\/producer Austin Winsberg<\/strong>, with music and lyrics by Alan Zachary<\/strong> and Michael Weiner<\/strong>. It has been produced around the world and is very popular with local theatre groups.<\/p>\n

Geeky money manager Aaron and the fashionably artistic \u201cserial dater\u201d Casey are meeting for the first time in a trendy New York restaurant, just for a drink, on a blind date. Aaron is almost paralyzed by nerves and a lack of self-confidence. Casey, bitter and jaded, is sure this is all a major mistake. They order, sit down and soon they regret they even came. Visions from the past haunt each of them by turn – family, friends and past relationships make appearances, of course providing an excuse for a series of musical numbers \u2013 some raunchy, some funny, some introspective. Aaron and Casey ask themselves: should they stay or leave?<\/p>\n

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Emily Brown, Christiaan Lafata, Adam Silorey, Hosanna Phillips, Lori Smith, Adam Wager, Jonathan Farrell<\/p><\/div>\n

Avon veteran Lori Smith<\/strong> (\u201cHunchback of Notre Dame\u201d) shows off her top-notch voice and strong stage presence in the role of Casey. Her date, Aaron, is played by Adam Silorey<\/strong> with gawky charm in his Avon Players debut.<\/p>\n

The other five cast members are identified simply as Woman #1 and #2, and Man #1, #2 and #3, so they are free to assume multiple roles. But some of those roles emerge as standouts: one is Casey\u2019s watchful sister Lauren played, and sung, with polished flair by Emily Brown <\/strong>(\u201cBright Star\u201d). Another is the versatile Hosanna Phillips<\/strong> (\u201cNight of January 16th<\/sup>\u201d) as the slinky Allison, Aaron\u2019s former fianc\u00e9e. Jonathan Farrell<\/strong> is dryly funny as the waiter, and Adam Wager<\/strong> (\u201cClue the Musical\u201d) shows his comic chops in roles like Aaron\u2019s friend Gabe and \u201cThe Stoner Guy\u201d.<\/p>\n

But the absolute show-stopper has to be the hysterically funny Christiaan Lafata<\/strong> (\u201cThe Producers\u201d) as Casey\u2019s \u201cBFF\u201d Reggie, a person of uncertain gender with some of the best lines in the show. His three \u201cBailout Songs\u201d (especially #3) lift things to a whole new level.<\/p>\n

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Christiaan Lafata<\/p><\/div>\n

Together, the five \u201cnumbered\u201d performers also serve as a sort of Greek chorus, suddenly springing up from the shadows to burst into song at just the right moment. Some memorable ensemble numbers include \u201cThe Girl For You\u201d (oy vey!) and \u201cThe World Wide Web is Forever\u201d (you Google me, I Google you). Kudos for clever choreography by Maritone Harte<\/strong> and for Bryan Clifford\u2019s<\/strong> amazing video graphics and projection design. The 7-piece orchestra under the capable direction of David Mety<\/strong> handled the score well, from pop to soft rock to jazz.<\/p>\n

A bold and sleekly colorful set, by JD Deierlein<\/strong> and Clifford, represents the New York City restaurant. Four monitors are mounted on the wall upstage that change images and colors to fit the scene, pulsing to the music\u2026a striking effect.<\/p>\n

During a recent matinee, the spotlight wandered off-target in the first act and seemed to have a mind of its own. If possible, some performers could more clearly articulate the lyrics, and maybe projecting a bit more for the folks in the back rows.<\/p>\n

Witty dialogue by Winsberg and brisk staging by director Ryan Moore<\/strong> make this a very lively and entertaining show with lots of laughs, but it can be provocative, and it\u2019s not necessarily original; some of the scenes feel like Saturday Night Live skits. It has a somewhat predictable story (with a happy ending), but the audience seemed to be having a great time, if laughter and applause are any indication.<\/p>\n

Now through June 10, 2023 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Tickets $26.50 at box office, $3.50 fee online, $2.00 fee for phone order<\/strong><\/p>\n

Avon Playhouse<\/strong><\/p>\n

1185 Washington Rd<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rochester Hills, MI 48306<\/strong><\/p>\n

(248) 608-9077 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0www.avonplayers.org<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reviewed by Suzanne Angeo (member, American Theatre Critics Association; Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle), and Greg Angeo (Member Emeritus, San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle)…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"yasr_overall_rating":3.5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-106578","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-greg-suzanne-angeo"},"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":true,"span_bottom":"