First Date, New Musical Starring Eric Ankrim and Kelly Karbacz, Opens in Seattle March 29

By Adam Hetrick
29 Mar 2012

Eric Ankrim and Kelly Karbacz
Eric Ankrim and Kelly Karbacz
Photo by Chris Bennion

The world premiere of the new musical First Date, starring Eric Ankrim and Kelly Karbacz as the central young lovers, officially opens March 29 at Seattle's A Contemporary Theatre after previews that began March 10.

First Date has a book by Austin Winsberg and music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, who are also collaborating on the Broadway-aimed musical Secondhand Lions. It is a co-production between A.C.T. and the 5th Avenue Theatre.

5th Avenue producing director Bill Berry directs First Date, which runs through May 20.

In addition to Ankrim (Oklahoma!) and Karbacz (Broadway's Rent, The Sound of Music), the cast includes Benjamin Harris, Vicki Noon (Wicked), Brandon O’Neill (Saving Aimee), Rich Gray (Saving Aimee), Greg McCormick Allen and Billie Wildrick.

Here's how First Date is billed: "This hilarious, sexy new musical [is] about one date, two people, and all the voices in their heads, including old boyfriends, ex-fiancées, best friends, and pushy relatives, not to mention fellow diners who intrude on the couple's blind date. This irreverent comedy chronicles the perils and pitfalls of blind dating and the journey from 'tragic mistake' to 'true love.' Or at least to a second date."

Josh Prince (Shrek, The Kid) is choreographer. The creative team also includes Dominick Amendum (music supervisor), August Eriksmoen (orchestrator), R.J. Tancioco (associate music director/conductor), Matthew Smucker (set design), Frances Kenny (costume design), Alex Berry (lighting design) and Kai Harada (sound design).

For tickets, visit 5thavenue.org or acttheatre.org. A.C.T. is located at 700 Union Street in Seattle.