Central Theatre to Produce Musical Comedy, First Date

Central College will showcase First Date, a romantic musical comedy about the horrors, humiliations and occasional happy surprises of blind dates. The musical tells the story of blind date newbie Aaron as he meets serial dater Casey, and their first date turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner.

Performances will be 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26, Friday, Feb. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Kruidenier Theatre on Central's campus. A matinee performance also will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 1. Directed by Ron Rybkowski, technical director and lecturer of theatre, this musical comedy features a cast and crew of 30 students.

When tightly wound Aaron is set up with cool girl Casey, a quick drink turns into a hilarious dinner. As the date unfolds in real time, the couple quickly finds that they are not alone on this unpredictable evening. In a delightful and unexpected twist, Casey and Aaron's inner critics take on a life of their own when other restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines. Can this couple turn what could be a dating disaster into something special before the check arrives?

First date is produced by Central's department of visual and performing arts. First Date is based on the book by Austin Winsberg with music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner. It premiered on Broadway in 2013 and contains adult content, adult language, haze and strobing effects.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and Central students. Admission is free for Central students and employees with a student ID. Tickets are available at https://central.universitytickets.com.

Central students in the performance include:

Angelica Anderson, Marne, Iowa, music education - instrumental major, Class of 2027, light board operator.

"Lillie Barker" Aurora Tiller, Marshalltown, Iowa, musical theatre major, Class of 2029, assistant stage manager and choreographer.

Mya Bishop, Ankeny, Iowa, musical theatre major, Class of 2027, make-up designer.

Emma Boston, Waukee, Iowa, undeclared major, Class of 2029, audio 2.

Donovan Card, Norwalk, Iowa, computer science major, Class of 2027, construction crew.

Rylinn Dale, Marshalltown, Iowa, art and musical theatre major, Class of 2027, costume designer and construction crew.

Kathryn Fairchild, Eddyville, Iowa, communication studies and Spanish major, Class of 2026, costume construction.

Mason Farrington, Ottumwa, Iowa, musical theatre major, Class of 2027, performing the role of Aaron.

Sofie Geistkemper, Marion, Iowa, computer science major, Class of 2028, spot operator.

Katie Hamlow, Woodland Park, Colorado, environmental and sustainability studies major, Class of 2028, wardrobe and costume construction crews.

Sullivan Holthaus, Quincy, Illinois, undeclared major, Class of 2029, spot operator.

Trey Hull, Ottumwa, Iowa, computer science and music major, Class of 2026, playing guitar and keyboard.

Lauren Husz, Hampton, Iowa, art major, Class of 2026, scenic designer and carpenter.

Keely Krambeer, Wadena, Iowa, communication studies major, Class of 2026, front of house.

Eryn Lenhart, Bondurant, Iowa, communications studies and musical theatre major, Class of 2027, performing the role of Woman 1, props master and costume construction crew.

Jose Leyva-Gramajo, Ottumwa, Iowa, communications studies major, Class of 2027, performing the role of Man 2.

Rachel Masters, Lisbon, Iowa, communications studies major, Class of 2026, performing the role of Casey.

Ezekiel "Zeke" McCarty, Ames, Iowa, music major, Class of 2026, performing the role of Man 3 construction crew.

Mika McCool, Colesburg, Iowa, English and musical theatre major, Class of 2027, master electrician.

David Michael Negley, Winterset, Iowa, music and business management major, Class of 2027, playing drums.

Joshua Nieuwsma, Leighton, Iowa, undeclared major, Class of 2029, assistant choreographer.

Abby Rodgers, Ottumwa, Iowa, communication studies major, Class of 2027, performing the role of Woman 2.

Dominic Sexton, Ames, Iowa, business management major, Class of 2027, playing bass.

Shaylee Smet, Aledo, Illinois, computer science major, Class of 2026, projections, video designer, sound board operator and carpenter.

Selena Snell, Kansas City, Missouri, musical theatre major, Class of 2027, stage manager.

Evan Streit, Swisher, Iowa, engineering and physics majors, Class of 2028, performing the role of Man 1.

Chris Ver Heul, Monroe, Iowa, communication studies major, Class of 2026, audio engineer, construction crew and lighting designer.

Brooke Watson, Newton, Iowa, musical theatre major, Class of 2028, assistant stage manager and front of house.

Amelia Wolfe, Iowa City, undeclared major, Class of 2029, spot operator.

Miles-Xavier Young, Akron, Iowa, English and musical theatre majors, Class of 2028, sound designer and construction crew.

This production is also supported through the creative work of:

Ron Rybkowski, technical director of theatre and lecturer, director and technical director.

Sean Stephenson, assistant professor of music, music director.

Laura Madott, keyboards.

Chris Hopkins, 1982 Central graduate, guitars.

Barbara Boertje DeVries, 1982 Central graduate, reeds and keyboard.