BWW Reviews: FIRST DATE at Actors' Playhouse

Doing what they do best, Actors' Playhouse has mounted a musical that's close to the top of their all star list. It's FIRST DATE, a smart, funny and wide open look at the mating dance of the thirty somethings.

David Arisco, who musically directed and staged, cast this show beautifully and his direction is filled with moments of hilarious subtlety and warmth.

Clay Cartland (Aaron) meets Erica Lustig (Casey) on a blind date. He's an innocent. Sincere, a first timer breaking the rules of contemporary dating but happily smug in his boring money making, suit wearing career. All nighter red haired Lustig in her sequined, skin tight black and red dress is a neurotic game player, the pin cushion looking for the perfect guy but so unsure of herself she'd pick the horse instead of the white hatted cowboy.

Each of the supporting actors appears in imagined moments, commenting on the dinner, the diners, their hopes, secrets, faults and just what the hell the daters should be doing to straighten out their lives. They're all good, celestial chops to spare, and Conor Walton wins the audience favorite award as the wildly gay Reggie who performs the three Bailout songs.

(He calls Casey during the date, giving her an excuse to split if she's bored.)

Jessica Booth plays Aaron's ex gf, Allison and also the Google Girl; Nick Duckart is Aaron's pal Gabe and an Edgy British Guy; Laura Hodos plays Grandma Ida, Casey's sister Lauren and Aaron's mother; Roland Rusinek is The Waiter, Casey's Father, and the Friendly Therapist; Conor Walton is Casey's friend, Reggie, Aaron's future son and an Edgy Rocker Guy.

There are 18 musical numbers, fresh, fast and funny although I doubt any will become standards. This cast performs them well under the musical direction of piano playing Manny Schvartzman who leads and conducts the band: Andrea Gilbert on reeds and keyboard 2, Sandy Poltarack on guitars, Rupert Ziawinski on bass and Jay Delarosa on drums.

Tim Bennett designed the revolving set, the NYC skyline and the interior of the Manhattan restaurant in which the dinner plays out in real time.

Ellis Tillman designed the costumes, lighting is by Eric Nelson and the sound (a little edgy, brassy, making words hard to understand) is from Shaun Mitchell.

Book writer Austin Winsberg and co-writers of the music and lyrics Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner have come up with an entertaining show and thanks to its terrific cast Actors' Playhouse has presented it as splendidly as only they know how.

First Date plays through April 12 at Actors' Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre, 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. 305-444-9293 http://www.actorsplayhouse.org

Photo L to R: Laura Hodos, Conor Walton, Roland Rusinek, Erica Lustig, Clay Cartland, Nick Duckart, Jessica Booth

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