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

 

In the photo: State Fair Community College’s Theatre Arts program will present the modern musical “First Date” at 7:30 p.m. April 22-24 and 2 p.m. April 25 in the Stauffacher Theatre. SFCC students Ben Brewer and Annie Henson rehearse a scene from the play.  

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