Oil Lamp Theater announces its current production of the musical comedy First Date, with a book by Austin Winsberg and music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, must close November 3, at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road. First Date is directed by Christina Ramirez and music directed by Kyra Leigh. This is the final extension for the popular and highly recommended production. The performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.,Saturdays at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. The current running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are on sale now for $34 - $55 for the run at OilLampTheater.org.
When blind date newbie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilarious high-stakes dinner. As the date unfolds in real time, the couple quickly finds that they are not alone on this unpredictable evening. In a delightful and unexpected twist, Casey and Aaron's inner critics take on a life of their own when other restaurant patrons transform into supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance with them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines.
The cast of First Date includes Dani Pike (she/her, Casey); Adrian Thornburg (he/him, Aaron); Mari Duckler (she/her, Woman 1); Nikolai Sorokin (he/him, Man 1/Aaron cover); Kyle Twomey (he/they, Man 2); Laura Thoresen (she/her, U/S Casey); Madison Jaffe-Richter (she/her, U/S Woman 1) and Jake Rehling (he/him, U/S Man 1 and Man 2).
Row 1: (L to R) Dani Pike (Casey), Adrian Thornburg (Aaron), Mari Duckler (Woman 1) and Nikolai Sorokin (Man 1/Aaron cover) Row 2: (L to R) Kyle Twomey (Man 2), Laura Thoreson (US Casey), Madison Jaffe-Richter (US Woman 1) and Jake Rehling (US Man 1/US Man 2).
The production team includes Christina Ramirez (she/her, director); Kyra Leigh (she/her, music director); Connor Windle (she/her, stage manager); Reina McGonigle (she/her, asst. stage manager); Spencer Donovan (he/him, scenic designer); Ellen Markus (she/her, properties designer); Taylor Pfenning (she/her, costume designer); Sam Anderson (they/she, lighting designer) and Barbie Brown (they/them, technical director).
ABOUT AUSTIN WISENBERG, book
Austin Wisenberg is primarily a writer/producer for film and television. He recently adapted the live “The Sound of Music” television event, starring Carrie Underwood, for NBC. His other television credits include “Gossip Girl, “Jake in Progress” (creator/executive producer and youngest showrunner in ABC history), “Wedding Album,” “Still Standing” and “Glory Days.” Winsberg has written numerous television pilots for ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Showtime and ABC Family. He has also written movies for New Line, Dreamworks Animation and Warner Bros. Winsberg graduated with a Theater Arts degree from Brown University. He continues to work in theater, directing and mentoring plays for the Blank Theater Company's Annual Young Playwright's Festival in Los Angeles.
ABOUT ALAN ZACHARY AND MICHAEL WEINER, music & lyrics
Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner wrote the score for the Broadway musical comedy First Date (book: Austin Winsberg), which premiered at the Longacre Theatre starring Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez and has subsequently enjoyed hundreds of productions around the world and been translated into more than a dozen languages. Their Broadway-bound musical adaptation of Trading Places had its world premiere at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre in spring 2022, directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon (book: Thomas Lennon). They also wrote songs for “Paws of Fury,” the Paramount Pictures animated feature, co-directed by Lion King director Rob Minkoff.
ABOUT CHRISTINA RAMIREZ, director
Christina Ramirez, a self-admitted rom-com lover, is thrilled to be directing First Date at Oil Lamp Theater. Ramirez serves as managing director at the award-winning Actors Training Center in Wilmette, working with actors of all ages (youth through adult.) She holds a masters in directing from Roosevelt University CCPA and a BFA in musical theatre from The Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University. She is a multi-hyphenate theatre professional with a wide range of directing, performance, casting and teaching/coaching credits, her favorites of which include working with New York City Center Encores, Out of the Box Theatrics, The MUNY, The NY Pops and NBCUniversal Family Fun day.
ABOUT KYRA LEIGH, music director
Kyra Leigh is active as a musician and performer in the Chicagoland area. Originally from Louisiana, she’s passionate about trans visibility and inclusion in music and theatre. She has music directed and/or composed and arranged for Kokandy Productions, Jedlicka PAC, Theatre of Western Springs, Prop Thtr, Chi Arts and Music Theater Works (for their production of La Cage Aux Folles starring Ginger Minj). She taught and directed at the Chicago School of Rock (Lakeview) for eight years. Her cabaret experience includes shows at Davenport’s, Trans Voices Cabaret - Chicago, Rhinofest and Labyrinth Arts. She’s an active church musician as a composer, section leader and as needed pianist/conductor at North Shore Baptist Church. Her past compositions include commissioned choral pieces for The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus and La Caccina (a professional women’s vocal ensemble); music for Chicago Fringe Opera’s Sounds of Pride Series; a series of art songs for acclaimed baritone, Ryan de Ryke and most recently was the composer/artist-in-residence with Windy City Performing Arts. As an actor, recent credits include “Miss Lynch” in Grease at Drury Lane, and “Sister Mary Hubert” in Nunsense at Porchlight Music Theatre.
ABOUT OIL LAMP THEATER
Oil Lamp Theater is an award-winning 60-seat storefront theater located in the heart of downtown Glenview. Keith Gerth founded the theater in February 2005, originally staging 20 productions for up to thirty-five friends and guests at night in his condo in Chicago. In March 2012, the organization was incorporated as a nonprofit and established a new location in downtown Glenview, fitted with warm décor and comfortable seating, reminiscent of a home. Oil Lamp produced 53 shows over the next seven years, reaching 10,000+ patrons per year and earning “Best Live Theater in the North Shore'' for four consecutive years. At the start of 2020, Keith Gerth retired, and shortly after, the pandemic began. Despite these major changes, Oil Lamp sprung into action and organized a drive-in for a fully-produced solo show, hosted outdoor concerts and built an outdoor venue for two full productions. Seeing the impact this made and the ability to conquer any challenge, Oil Lamp returned to indoor programming with a renewed vision. Oil Lamp now produces a dynamic Main Stage Season, Speak Easy Nights, a Women on Wednesdays series and continues investing in its connection with the community.
Oil Lamp Theater announces its current production of the musical comedy First Date, with a book by Austin Winsberg and music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, must close November 3, at Oil Lamp Theater, 1723 Glenview Road. First Date is directed by Christina Ramirez and music directed by Kyra Leigh. The performance schedule is Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.,Saturdays at 3 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. The current running time is 90 minutes with no intermission. Tickets are on sale now for $34 - $55 for the run at OilLampTheater.org.
Dani Pike in FIRST DATE from Oil Lamp Theatre, now playing through November 3. Photo by Gosia Photography
(L to R) Nikolai Sorokin, Dani Pike, Mari Duckler, Adrian Thornburg and Kyle Twomey in FIRST DATE from Oil Lamp Theatre, now playing through November 3. Photo by Gosia Photography
(L to R) Dani Pike, Nikolai Sorokin, Mari Duckler and Adrian Thornburg in FIRST DATE from Oil Lamp Theatre, now playing through November 3. Photo by Gosia Photography
Adrian Thornburg in FIRST DATE from Oil Lamp Theatre, now playing through November 3. Photo by Gosia Photography