First Date: complete cast announced

Junkyard Dog Productions have announced that Bryce Ryness (Hair), Eric Ankrim, Kevin Kern (Wicked) and Sydney Shepherd (The Picture of Dorian Gray), complete the cast for the Broadway premiere of the musical comedy First Date, opening at The Longacre Theatre on 08 Aug 2013, following previews from 09 Jul 2013.

They join the previously announced *Zachary Levi, star of TV's "Chuck," Disney's feature film "Tangled" and the upcoming "Thor: The Dark World," in his Broadway debut, and Krysta Rodriguez ("Smash," The Addams Family) who star in the musical's lead roles. As well as the previously announced Sara Chase, Kristoffer Cusick, Blake Hammond, Kate Loprest and Vicki Noon.
*The role of 'Aaron' will be played by Eric Ankrim (who originated the role in the 2012 Seattle production) from July 16 through July 21, 2013, as a result of a standing commitment for Zachary Levi.

First Date is about the most dangerous human endeavor in existence, the dreaded blind date. Soho artist Casey (Krysta Rodriguez) and Wall Street trader Aaron (Zachary Levi) are on that all-important first date - a quick drink turns into a dinner served with sides of Google background checks, fake emergency phone calls, a slew of bad boy and uptown girl exes, and some seriously saucy chemistry. Can this mismatched pair turn what could be a dining disaster into something special before the check arrives, or end up at another table for one?

The musical has a book by Austin Winsberg ("Gossip Girl"), music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner. The show will be directed by Bill Berry and choreographed by Josh Rhodes (Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella).

The creative team features scenic design is by David Gallo, costume design by David Woolard, lighting design by Mike Baldassari, and sound design by Kai Harada. Musical supervision, vocal and incidental arrangements are by Dominick Amendum, and August Eriksmoen will orchestrate.

First Date is being produced on Broadway by Junkyard Dog Productions, in association with Stem Productions, Susan W. and James C. Blair Family LP, Alex and Katya Lukianov and Linda and Bill Potter.

First Date had its world premiere at Seattle's Act Theatre from 10 Mar - 20 May 2012.

Originally published on

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