| What: First Date –The Musical When: October 21 until November 1, 2026 Where: The Avalon Theatre, Homecoming Centre, Cape Town Director: Byron Bure Bookings: Click here First Date The Musical Cast: Emma Amber, Ethan Saunders, William Young, Kirsten Pienaar, Asanda Mngadi, Zoë Chetty, Robert Shenton, Nikita Latimer and Ethan Dunk Musical Director: Casey Wallace Choreographer: Angelica Hattingh Assistant Choreographer: Amber Morgan |
First Date – the musical comedy is on at the Homecoming Centre, Cape Town until November 1, 2026. It is the South African premiere of the hit Broadway musical, by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (music and lyrics) and Austin Winsberg (book). I loved this production, Stunning staging, diverse character driven cast, quirky props and a dreamy set – with the New York skyline providing a romantic backdrop. It is funny and entertaining but it is also wise as a deep dive into communication and how we talk to each other – how we find points of connection- not only for singletons looking for mates – but also for those in long term relationships. Terrific characterization and cracker of a script.
There is a cast – of nine – all on the small Avalon stage at the HCC. The intimacy of the venue dovetails with the intimacy of the story: Casey (Emma Amber) and Aaron (Ethan Saunders) are on a blind date in a New York bar. We, the audience, voyeuristically watch to see what will happen. They are very different as people and do not want to be there. The question hangs: How will the first date proceed? Will it lead to a 2nd date? Within the intimacy of the situation and the venue, we are immersed as the date unfurls, over 90 minutes. It is as if we are on the date – in real time – right now.
The script is fabulous with the sassy and jaded Casey and the nebbish Aaron engaging in a delicious conversation. It is a witty convo, punctuated by big unexpected reveals which surprise the protagonists and the audience. I won’t plot spoil. Within the crackling dialogue between these two New York Urbanites, the story has heart. It could have been mawkish but the writing excevates and cuts through tropes of culture and relationships, with lashings of satire and self-deprecating humour.
A peanut gallery of friends, family and random dudes such as Google, dish out advice what to do and what not to do. For instance, there is advice over food choices to impress a date – a chopped salad versus a burger. The peanut gallery are imagined by Casey and Aaron but are emanated through the diners sitting in the bar and restaurant.
The protagonists are conjured up not only by fine acting but with quirky and clever use of props and a quick change of accessories. Watch out for the ingenious Jewish/Catholic robes – fabulous. Objects pops up – as if by magic – from the draped table cloths. Byron Bure’s direction beautifully articulates the shifts and segues between what is happening now and with the peanut gallery, giving their shtick.
Lovely performances from the cast. Leads Emma Amber and Ethan Saunders as Casey and Aaron are terrific – nailing the clash of personalities – but the increasing affinity, connection and attraction. They flesh out the satire between Casey and Aaron – reflecting off their cultures and backgrounds – without ridicule. They are sending themselves up but it is layered and nuanced. The Fleur du Cap nominated Amber’s acting skills imbue Casey with empathy – countering our first impressions of her as a sassy serial dater New Yorker, with commitment issues. Amber takes her beyond the trope, the cliché of the serial dater singleton, heightened by her timing, physical movement/dance and voice – spoken word and dialogue. Ethan Saunders’ Aaron goes beyond trope as the nebbish – revealing his backstory. The chemistry between Amber and Saunders is very believable – which is important to the delivery of this story.
William Young cracked me up as Gabe/Stoner Guy. His skill at shape shifting between characters is a joy to watch. I last saw him on stage as Rocky in Rocky Horror at Theatre on The Bay and here is in a very different production, dazzling again. He is a terrific dancer Asanda Mngadi is delicious as Reggie, Casey’s friend and designated bailout – ie she can use him as an excuse to leave the date. There is a fab song, Bailout. He also takes on the role as a British rocker and the future son of Aaron. The Waiter is an omniscient presence and Robert Shentonis a delight as he glides seamlessly between protagonists – the daters and the peanut gallery, while he physically serves the couples who are present in the frame and he does the singing and performing waiter thing, which is so New York – and Cape Town.
The songbook of fun and catchy songs is infused with riffs which include Klezmer (Jewish folk music) and rock. For instance, the song, The Girl for You, has been described in the sheet music as “Mournfully Jewish” in A Minor; a closing device in Klezmer. [https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/first-date-the-musical/the-girl-for-you/ On the opening night, we were sitting in the front row, next to the speaker and battled to hear the songs but hopefully the tech issues will be sorted. The book (script) is strong and the songs are an extra layer to what might be described as a musical play, rather than “musical theatre”. It is much more than a compendium of songs with a story tacked on. The story, the yummy script is what makes this show groove.
Bravo to Origen Productions for staging this musical – with superb production values and innovative staging in the Avalon. For instance a nifty wing has been created, which facilitates the exits and entrances, and does not confine the performers to have to hop and off the stage.
✳ Ethan Saunders and Emma Amber in First Date –The Musical, The Avalon Theatre, Homecoming Centre, Cape Town, October 21 until November 1, 2026
