Love, laughter and the unpredictable world of modern dating are heading to Performance Lab in Wakefield from 4-28 February 2027 as AX2 Productions announces the cast of its forthcoming production of the Broadway musical FIRST DATE.
This hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy promises an entertaining evening of disastrous first impressions, unexpected romantic encounters and the universal search for love.
Leading the cast are James Banks as Aaron and Meg Riley as Casey, two very different personalities brought together for a blind date that neither will forget. They are joined by Jordan Donnelly (Man 1), Ben J Packer (Man 2) and Emily Botnen (Woman 2), who bring to life an assortment of colourful characters, from interfering friends and former partners to the unforgettable voices inside our heads.
With a book by Austin Winsberg and music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, FIRST DATE made its Broadway debut in 2013, winning audiences over with its witty writing, infectious score and refreshingly honest portrayal of modern relationships. The musical follows Aaron, an awkward but well-meaning newcomer to the dating scene, and Casey, a confident, independent serial dater, as they meet for a blind date in a busy New York restaurant. What should be a straightforward evening quickly descends into comic chaos as their inner thoughts, insecurities, past relationships and well-intentioned advice from friends and family burst into life around them.
As the evening progresses, the pair must navigate everything from embarrassing silences and questionable first impressions to the possibility that their unlikely encounter might just lead to something special.
Combining laugh-out-loud comedy with moments of genuine warmth and vulnerability, FIRST DATE is a musical about taking chances, overcoming expectations and discovering that love rarely follows the script.
Speaking about the production, the producers said: "FIRST DATE is a brilliantly funny, clever and surprisingly touching musical. Beneath all the comedy, there's something incredibly relatable about two people trying to make a connection while navigating their own expectations, insecurities and romantic histories.
"We're delighted to have assembled such a talented cast to bring this show to life. James and Meg are both exceptional performers, and alongside Jordan, Ben and Emily, we have a fantastic company who will bring tremendous energy, humour and heart to the production.
"Performance Lab is the perfect setting for this show. We want audiences to feel completely immersed in the evening, almost as though they're sitting at the next table watching the date unfold.
"We're passionate about developing theatre opportunities in Wakefield and creating productions that audiences might ordinarily expect to travel much further afield to experience. FIRST DATE is exactly the kind of exciting, intimate and entertaining theatre we want to champion."