USI Theatre wraps up 2018-2019 season with First Date

University of Southern Indiana Theatre will finish its 2018-2019 season with the new musical comedy First Date, based on the book by Austin Winsberg, who also adapted the book to the musical. Music and lyrics are by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner.  Orchestrations are by August Eriksmoen and vocal and incidental music arrangements are by Dominick Amendum.  The original Broadway production was produced by Junkyard Dog Productions, Stem Productions, Altar Identity Studios, Alex and Katya Lukianov, Susan and Jim Blair, Linda and Bill Potter, in association with Yasuhiro Kawana, Vijay and Sita Vashee, Kevin and Lynn Foley, Jeff and Julie Goldstein, Edward and Mimi Kirsch, Frank and Denise Phillips, Steve Reynolds and Paula Rosput Reynolds, Land Line Productions, Alhadeff Family Productions/Sheri and Les Biller, Pat Halloran/Laura Little Theatrical Productions, Tony Meola/Remmel T. Dickinson and John Yonover, ShadowCatcher Entertainment/Tom and Connie Walsh. The production runs April 11-14 in the USI Performance Center located in UC east on USI's campus.

Directed by Eric Altheide, First Date tells the story of one of the most nerve-racking moments in a person's life: a first date.  Aaron, who is new to blind dating, is set up with a serial-dater named Casey.  A casual date at a busy restaurant quickly turns into a hilarious dinner - and the stakes are high. The singletons quickly realize that neither of them came to this unpredictable date alone. In an unexpected and comedic twist, Aaron and Casey's inner critics come to life as other restaurant patrons transform into supportive friends, deceitful exes and vigilant parents, who dance and sing them through introductions and awkward conversations. Can Aaron and Casey salvage their potential dating disaster before the check arrives?

Altheide will be joined by a design team including USI faculty member Paul Weimer as scenic designer; USI staff member Kevin Gray as sound designer; USI staff member Maya Fein as lighting designer; USI staff member Andy Hammond as technical designer; USI student Kaitlyn Kearschner as costume designer; USI adjunct Heather Beal as choreographer; Patrick Ritsch as music director; and USI student Mikaela Fish as production stage manager.

The cast of First Date includes USI students Parker Dean, Jacey Stewart, Jason Merslich, Carlysle Garland, Kyle Burgess, Allen Harbold, Clare McGregor, Brandon Douglas, and Danye Faust.

First Date is presented through special arrangement with R & H Theatricals: www.rnh.com

Tickets are $2 for USI students, $12 for USI employees, $4 for non-USI students (student ID required), $13 seniors (60+), and $15 for adults. Shows start at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 2 p.m. for the Sunday matinee. To purchase tickets or for more information visit USI Theatre or call the box office at 812-465-1635. Follow us on Facebook at USITheatre and NewHarmonyTheatre, Twitter @TheatreUSI, and Instagram @USI_theatre for updates and photos.

Please join us this summer for productions by local professional theatre, New Harmony Theatre!  This summer's season will be Good People by David Lindsay-Abaire from June 21-30, 2019; Always…Patsy Cline by Ted Swindley from July 12-21, 2019; and Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry from July 26, 2019 - August 4, 2019.  Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at usi.edu/nh-theatre/tickets/ or by phone at 812-682-3115.