“First Date” Broadway – Putting the Comedy Back into the Musical

Please read the postscript at the end of the review to learn how nice Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez are!

My review is going to be shorter than my typical Broadway revue. “First Date” Broadway was shorter than a typical Broadway musical. It had a running time of 90 minutes without intermission. “First Date” was neither pretentious nor ambitious. Unlike “Big Fish,” audiences were not dazzled by the sets. Unlike “Chaplin,” it did not attempt to tell a sweeping, important story. Instead, “First Date” Broadway offered simply a joyful, funny and fast 90 minutes of fun.

“First Date” Broadway – Can You Relate?

“First Date” has a novel concept. The musical tells the story of a modern blind date from beginning to end. The clever twist is that “First Date” happens in real-time. A mutual friend has set up a first date meeting at a bar between goodhearted but uptight businessman Aaron (Zachary Levi) and edgy serial dater Casey (Krysta Rodriguez.)

Krysta Rodriguez &  Zachary Levi

The date takes about 90 minutes from the moment Aaron enters the bar to meet Casey until the two of them leave. The arc of their first date follows the pattern of a typical romantic comedy. They “meet-cute,” dislike each other, individually shift opinions at different times, argue, and end up in each other’s arms. It’s not the plot that is surprising, although the clever script gives each of them many funny moments. It is the charm and undeniable chemistry between the two wonderful stars that make the show absolutely delightful.

Five other talented actors make up the entire ensemble. They switch roles from being other patrons in the bar to becoming the friends and family members who are a Greek chorus of voices in the heads of the daters.

Blake Hammond, as a snarky waiter with an almost Paul Lynde delivery, has some of the funniest moments. He’s already seated nerdy, suit-wearing Aaron when gorgeous hipster Casey walks in.

Waiter: You’re the other half of the blind date?

Casey: Yes, and I can’t wait to meet him. My sister said he just may be the man of my dreams…

Waiter: Are you and your sister close?

Fun Music, Wonderful Voices

The music is enjoyable and several songs were excellent. There is one noticeable clunker in the show… a scene so bad that it stopped the show (in a bad way) for a few moments. It is an ethnic/Jewish number that plays on any number of stereotypes. When this show is revived for college productions or community theater, I hope that talented composers drop it and replace it with something more in keeping with the upbeat and modern tone of the show.

The big question mark before the show was whether Zachary Levi could sing. He had a legion of fans from “Chuck,” but most had never heard him sing. Krysta Rodriguez, already a star on “Smash,” was known for her spectacular singing. One of the wonderful revelations of “First Date” Broadway was that Mr. Levi has a tremendous voice, real stage presence, and leading man charisma. Ms. Rodriguez is a gifted actress with a magnificent voice. The strength of her acting could be seen in standing up for herself against a man who is over a foot taller than she is!

6’4 Zachary Levi with 5’4 Krysta Rodriguez

The challenge for any romantic comedy is to make the audience care about the characters and want them to get together. Mr. Levi and Ms. Rodriguez exuded chemistry. Each was so likable and charming in their quirky, different ways that the audience loved them at once. “First Date” had a short Broadway run. It opened in August 2013 and closed just after the first of the year. The audience in the packed house absolutely loved the show. A long standing ovation and loud applause after many of the numbers testified to the quality of the performances and music. However, many people commented that the short length of the show and the high price of Broadway tickets made it an unlikely combination. I wondered later if the show might have had a very long run off-Broadway, with less high-profile stars. If it is ever revived in your area and you want a perfect light, fun date night evening out, don’t miss it.

Postscript: Meeting the Stars Of “First Date” Broadway

My daughter, then 12, was a huge fan of Zachary Levi from the Disney film “Tangled.” (I was a fan of “Chuck”!) She asked if we could wait after the show and meet the stars. She even stayed up the night before making a sign for them. Because I had bought our tickets the day they went on sale, we ended up with first row seats right in the center of the orchestra. She ran out as soon as the standing ovation ended and got a good spot by the gate near the stage door. I came out more slowly and asked one of the ushers whether Zachary Levi was likely to stay and sign autographs. The usher, an elderly lady, said, “I have been an usher for a long, long time. I have never seen a sweeter man than Zachary Levi. He will literally stay and sign autographs for any fan until every single one has a chance to meet him.” We had been at a Saturday matinee. I was well aware that the actors would have to be back in the theater in just a few hours. The usher was right. Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez took the time to greet every fan, sign every playbill and take any picture a fan requested. They chatted happily, answered questions and reacted with gratitude to every comment made. When Zachary Levi approached us,

E. J. Bradford and Zachary Levi outside of “First Date” Broadway

He spoke first. He looked at E.J. and said “Oh you’re that pretty girl with the cool glasses who was sitting in the first row and laughing so hard! All of us were talking about it, that your laughter was making us funnier.”  We chatted for a moment and he asked if he could see the sign she had made and when he saw it, he said “Please wait just a minute.” He brought Krysta Rodriguez to meet us. He said, “Krysta, this is E.J. Her dad brought her here from Chicago for her birthday.  Look at the cool sign she made us!”

Ms.Rodriguez said, “I loved your glasses and all your laughing from the front row! You were making all of us so happy!“ Then she asked E.J. whether or not she liked to sing and dance. Of course the answer was “yes.” Then she got down at my daughter’s eye level, gave her a hug, and said, “Then you are a very lucky girl. When I was your age, my parents brought me to the theater and encouraged me in my dreams. Keep working hard and maybe someday I’ll come to see you on Broadway!”

E. J. Bradford and Krysta Rodriguez outside “First Date” Broadway

If there are two nicer people who ever appeared on a Broadway stage than Krysta Rodriguez and Zachary Levi, I would love to know them. The two of them were not only terrifically talented onstage, but I promise you they won 1,000 fans after the show as well.

Click here to see full cast and production information about “First Date”