First Date Cast Announced

Melbourne Indie theatre company Pursued by Bear announces their cast for their next offering. Coral Drouyn comments

Pursued by Bear is one of those small Indie theatre companies that consistently does excellent work without much fanfare – or even much recognition except from real Music Theatre Tragics like myself.

In just two years they have built a strong following with four productions rarely seen on the Professional stage here in Melbourne, albeit in small venues. Chapel off Chapel is their unofficial home base. They take risks; they strive for excellence and, mostly, they succeed brilliantly. This team of young and enthusiastic creative producers seem undaunted by the lack of funding or support from either the government or Main Stage producers. They have committed to a manifesto of raising public awareness of musicals that should be seen….but aren’t. So what is next on their Agenda?

Following the success of their recent production of tick, tick…BOOM!, Pursued by Bear are thrilled to be bringing the hilarious Broadway musical First Date to Melbourne this September for its professional Australian premiere.

This is a show for anyone who has ever experienced the awkwardness, the undeniable thrill and the absolute trauma of a First Date.

When datingrookie Aaron is set up with serial-dater Casey, a casual drink at a busy Fitzroy 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 them through ice-breakers, tapas and potential conversational land mines.

Can this couple turn what could be a dating disaster into something special before the bill arrives?

Pursued by Bear have assembled an incredible cast to bring this story to life led by Rebecca Hetherington(Heathers) and Jordon Mahar (Einstein: Master of the Universe). Rounding out the cast are Nicole Melloy (Jersey Boys), Danielle O’Malley (South Pacific), Caleb Jago Ward (The Ten Tenors), Stephen Valeri (Peppa Pig Live!) and Daniel Cosgrove (Dogfight).

It’s an excellent cast and one thing you can be certain of is total commitment and passion for the work.

Directed by Mark Taylor (who handled John and Jen so beautifully), First Date plays at Chapel Off Chapel from2 - 11 September for nine shows only.

Get in quickly and book your tickets. It may be your only chance to see this witty and endearing show.