Sedalia, Missouri – April 12, 2021 – State Fair Community College’s Theatre Arts program will present the musical “First Date” at 7:30 p.m. April 22-24 and 2 p.m. April 25 in the Stauffacher Theatre on the Sedalia campus. Admission is free. Parental discretion is advised; performance is recommended for audiences 16 years and older because of explicit language and mature themes.
“First Date” is a modern musical that invites the audience to experience a blind date between two very different, 30-ish New Yorkers. Aaron is a conservative banker, Jewish and on a mission to find “the one.” Casey is an artist who is “a little too funky for Wall Street.” At first, the date seems to be a disaster, but as influences of family and friends are revealed through the couple’s imaginations and a meddling waiter and restaurant patrons get involved, a glimmer of hope for something special begins to shine.
The play, first performed in 2012, is based on a book written by Austin Winsberg. Music and lyrics are by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner.
Admission is free; however, donations will be accepted at the door. Seating is first come, first served and limited to about 60 per show to allow for social distancing. Face coverings are required. For special accommodations, email Ryan Mahannah, Theatre Arts Program Coordinator, at rmahannah@sfccmo.edu.
CAST
Aaron – Ben Brewer, Strafford
Casey – Annie Henson, Clever
Reggie – Johnny Nguyen, Vietnam
Man #1 (Waiter, Casey’s Christian Father, British Artist, Twitter) – Walker Schotte, Versailles
Woman #1 (Lauren, Aaron’s Mother, Female with Megaphone #2, Snapchat) – Jenna Speer, Coffeyville, Kansas
Man #2 (Blaze, Aaron’s Future Son, Instagram) – Aren Goodwin, Warrensburg
Woman #2 (Allison, Female with Megaphone #1, Facebook) – Brianna Harlow, Warrensburg
Man #3 (Gabe, YouTube, Stoner Guy) – Quincy Wilson, Oak Grove
Woman #3 (Grandma Ida, Goggle, Friendly Therapist) – Torrie Shelly, Warrensburg
Male Understudy – Denver Montgomery, Sedalia
Female Understudy – Kennedy Keele, Warrensburg
CREW
Director – Ryan P. Mahannah, SFCC Theatre Arts Program Coordinator
Music Director – Jan Turely, Sedalia
Choreographer – Lauren Scarborough, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Technical Director – Tim Wells, SFCC Faculty
Stage Manager/Assistant Director – Sarah Hensel, Provencal, Louisiana
Assistant Stage Managers – Kennedy Keele, Sedalia; Denver Montgomery
Costume and Make Up Designer – Kennedy Keele
Sound Designer and Sound Board Operator – Allison Hayes, Macon
Scenic and Lighting Design – Tim Wells
Property Master – Kya Kampe, Warrensburg
Props Run Crew – Bailey Mitchell, Columbia
Light Board Operator – Taylor Ireland, California, Missouri
Scenic and Run Crew – Bailey Mitchell, Kya Kampe, Kennedy Keele
Program and Poster Design – Cheryl Landers, SFCC Design Services Manager, Ryan Mahannah
House Manager – Kylie Gaunt, Nixa
Ushers – Faith Ehlers, Sedalia; Kya Kampe
