Katerina Papacostas and Matthew Schatz to Lead FIRST DATE's Charlotte Debut

Casting has been announced for Blumenthal Performing Arts' production of the Broadway musical comedy FIRST DATE, which is part of the 2015-2016 PNC Broadway Lights.

Under the direction of Tony Award nominee Dan Knechtges, FIRST DATE premieres at Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Sept. 27-Nov. 20, 2016. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at BlumenthalArts.org, by phone at 704-372-1000 or at the Belk Theater box office (130 N. Tryon St.).

FIRST DATE features a book by Austin Winsberg, music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner. The hit show debuted in 2012 to a sold-out run at Seattle's 5th Avenue/ACT Theaters and played on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre in 2013. Blumenthal's first-ever self-produced musical will welcome Broadway's top creative teams and brightest stars. The production will also include a new song and feature an elaborate set -- created by, and specifically for, the people of Charlotte.

For a more immersive experience, patrons will have the option to be a part of the action within the show in a limited number of on-stage seats. Cabaret seating is also available in the front section of the orchestra.

Katerina Papacostas (Evita national tour) will play Casey and Matthew Schatz (Heathers off-Broadway) will play Aaron. Rounding out the company and playing a variety of characters in Casey and Aaron's lives are Gretchen Wylder, Paul Ianniello, Kevin Zak, Kara Guy and Nathan Gardner.

Dan Knechtges serves as director and choreographer with Rick Bertone as music director. The design and production team consists of Christine Peters (scenic design), Leon Dobkowski (costume design), Jason Lyons (lighting design), and John Emmett O'Brien (sound design). Megan Larche Dominick serves as executive producer.

When blind date newbie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilarious high-stakes 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?

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