First Date

March 10-19, 2023

Music & Lyrics by Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner Book by Austin Winsberg Orchestrations: Dominick Amendum Vocals & Incidental Music Arrangements: Dominick Amendum The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

First Date is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com

A Note from the Director This is my first time directing, and therefore my first directors note so please bear with me. I wasn’t sure what to include in here, so I reached out to some friends who said you should just write about why you wanted to direct the show, or the process and how it’s made you feel. I also looked at past programs I still have (Yes, I collect the programs from every show I see) to try and draw inspiration from their wonderful words. It’s not going to be as fancy as some of the director’s notes I read, but here goes.

I have loved this show ever since I heard the music for it. It’s fun, raunchy, and the rock sound drew me in from day one. I then searched Google to learn more about this amazing show I just discovered, and found the bootleg copy of the Broadway version. Once I saw that I was hooked. It took you through all the emotions. I was laughing, I was crying, and then laughing again. It’s a small but mighty cast and I knew it would be the perfect show for me to make my directorial debut.

When I first started the process, I was so nervous, and I had a bunch of fears; would any one even come out and audition for me, what style director am I going to be, what if no one shows up in the audience? But as the process went on and we posted the sign up for auditions, people actually started signing up. One part of my fears was gone. Auditions came and we found the most amazing cast. Now my second fear was rearing its ugly head.

What kind of director did I want to be? I am typically a shy person so would I be able to step up and give people notes and direction if I didn’t like what they were doing? The answer was yes. I found my voice. I was also able to lean on my amazing production team if I had trouble expressing what I wanted. I love this show, had a vision for it, and made it happen. My second fear is now gone. This last fear was my biggest one. We have put in all this hard work to make this show amazing. What if no one comes and sees it? Thanks to you my last fear is gone! I hope you enjoy the show as much as I do.

Now sit back and relax as we take you on the journey so many of us have been through, First Date.

Heather McElhiney Director

CAST

Chris Betzler as Aaron Christine Furey as Casey Brittany Recupero as Allison / Aaron’s Mother Michael Thompkins as Reggie / Stoner Guy Ryan Polito as Gabe / British Rocker Kayla Smull as Lauren / Grandma Ida Vinnie Emilianowicz as Waiter Rylee Cella as Google Girl Ron Hamaday as Casey’s Father / Therapist

MUSICAL NUMBERS First Date is a 90 Minutes with No Intermission The One.................................................................................................................................................Company First Impressions.....................................................................................................................Aaron & Casey Bailout Song #1........................................................................................................................................Reggie The Girl For You..................................................................................................................................Company The Awkward Pause........................................................................................................................Company Allison’s Theme #1....................................................................................................................................Allison The World Wide Web Is Forever..................................................................................................Company Can’t Help But Love Me..............................................................................British Artist & Stoner Guy Bailout Song #2........................................................................................................................................Reggie Safer..................................................................................................................................................................Casey I’d Order Love...............................................................................................................................................Waiter Allison’s Theme #2..................................................................................................Aaron, Allison & Gabe The Things I Never Said..................................................................................Aaron & Aaron’s Mother Bailout #3....................................................................................................................................................Reggie In Love With You........................................................................................................................................Aaron The Check!............................................................................................................................................Company First Impressions (Reprise)...............................................................................................Waiter & Reggie Something That Will Last..........................................................................Casey, Aaron & Company

PRODUCTION TEAM Lisamarie Bianchi & Gabi Cherelli......................................................Producers Heather McElhiney...........................................................................................Director Maddie Sapp...................................................................................Assistant Director Cristy Chory & Robert Wagner..................................................Vocal Directors Robert Wagner......................................................................................Music Director Tom Stumme........................................................................................Choreographer Maeve O’Brien..................................................................................................Costumer Kate McShane............................................................................................................Props Evan McElhiney.............................................................................................Set Design Steve Montgomery............................................................Set Constuction Lead Evan McElhiney........................................................................................Lighting Plot Amber Mangabat........................................................................Lighting Designer Lisamarie Bianchi........................................................................Lighting Operator Ryan Kadwill.................................................................Sound Designer/Operator Gabi Cherelli & John Gray.............................................................Photographers Gabi Cherelli & Christine Furey................................................Graphic Design Barb Cross....................................................................................................Board Liason The Cast & Crew of First Date & Jack Prpich................Set Construction SPECIAL THANKS: Elisabeth Majewski Megan Shields Variety Club - The Children’s Charity of Delaware Valley MCT 2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Kate McShane (President) Nicolette Adams (Vice President) Lindsay Zimmerman (Secretary) Brenda Capwell (Treasurer) - non-board Barb Cross John Gray Katie McCool-Bartolotta Heather McElhiney Janice Orner Rebecca Yenser

MEET THE CAST & CREW Chris Betzler (Aaron) Chris is excited to be back at MCT for his second show in First Date. Previous favorite roles include: Custis (Crazy for You, NCT), Seymour (Little Shop of Horrors, NCT), and Robert (The Drowsy Chaperone, NCT). Chris would like to thank his rockstar wife for all of her love and support. Chris would like to dedicate his performance to his beautiful mother, Helen Betzler. For more information on the Helen Betzler foundation, please visit https://helenbetzlercares.org/.

Rylee Cella (Google Girl) Rylee is thrilled to be apart of MCT’s production of First Date.

In October, she performed in The Hunchback of Notre Dame (The Barn Playhouse) as a Gargoyle/Ensemble member after a few years hiatus from theater. She feels incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to perform again with all the wonderful people involved in this production! Rylee thanks her family, friends, dog, and cat for their encouragement and for listening to her sing without covering their ears. She hopes you laugh a lot and enjoy the show!

Vinnie Emilianowicz (Waiter) First Date is Vinnie Emilianowicz’s second show after deciding to pursue theater as part of his adult life! In his youth Vinnie enjoyed a lot of acting, but health and financial concerns drew him away and he focused on building his career. Now he returns to the stage happy and healthy, supported with deep love by Mark, his husband of 3 years, and his family.

Christine Furey (Casey) Christine is excited to be back on the MCT stage! She was last seen as Maggie Saunders in MCT’s production of Lend Me a Tenor. Other recent credits include: Shelby (Steel Magnolias), Viola/Cesario (Twelfth Night), Meg Snider (Leading Ladies), Babette (Beauty and the Beast), Fran Kubelik (Promises, Promises), and Dainty June (Gypsy). Christine would like to thank her family, friends, as well as the cast and crew for their endless love and support. Much love to Mom, Dad, Kellie, and Tyler!

Ron Hamaday (Casey’s Father / Therapist) This is Ron’s second production with MCT, you may have seen him in the recent production of How To Succeed In Business.

He is no stranger to musical theater having been in 20 shows and produced seven. Ron loves to be on stage singing and acting, but more importantly meeting new people. “I am happy to have a part of this very funny show, and working with very talented people. Thanks to the production team for choosing me as a part of this show.”

Ryan Polito (Gabe / British Rocker) Ryan is beyond thrilled to be in his first production with MCT and to share the stage with such an amazing cast. Some of his favorite previous roles include: Doody (Grease), Davey (Newsies), Jehan (Hunchback of Notre Dame), and Young Scrooge (Christmas Carol). He would like to thank the cast and crew for making this such an amazing experience and his family for their continuous support.

MEET THE CAST & CREW Brittany Recupero (Allison / Aaron’s Mom) Brittany is thrilled to be back at MCT for such a fun production!

She was last seen here as a Silly Girl in Beauty and the Beast. Past shows include: Boeing, Boeing (Gabriella) at Facetime Theater, Cinderella (Cinderella) with Laymen Playmen, and she is fresh off her last adventure of directing, The Hunchback of Notre Dame at The Barn Playhouse, where she has also appeared in several productions. Many thanks to the production team, for all the work they threw into this show. So many hugs and love to the cast for always making rehearsal fun and memorable!

Last but not least, all my love and thanks to the leading man in my life, Paul! Have a great date!

Kayla Smull (Lauren / Grandma Ida) First Date is Kayla’s eighth production with MCT. She was most recently in ETC’s Miscast Cabaret last month and MCT’s production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying this past fall. Over the years, she’s also performed with Town and Country Players, Playcrafters of Skippack, and the Barn Playhouse. She would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work as well as her family and friends for their love and support, especially her husband, Matt. “I’m just so proud!”

Michael Thompkins (Reggie / Stoner Guy) Michael is excited to return to MCT in First Date! Michael first joined MCT in summer 2022, and “can’t help but love...” this amazing community of theater lovers. Michael has performed on stage in choirs, bands, and productions with previous roles in: Big Fish (Fisherman/General Patterson) and Sweat (Brucie).

Michael would like to thank his vocal coach, Michelle Horman, for her talents and skills to prepare him for this journey, and a special thank you to Michael’s parents who have served as his theater role models his entire life!

ANNUAL GIVING DONORS Friends ($20-$99) Steve Arcidiacono Linda Clark Janice and Ken Orner Supporters ($100-$499) John and Barb Cross Steve and Yvonne Montgomery Patrons ($500-$2499) John & Kathryn Gray Johnson & Johnson Deb Schrager Bill and Kate McShane You have a role at MCT. MCT is an all-volunteer non-profit 501(C)(3) theater company that has produced high quality live theater in Montgomery County for over forty years. This season, we will present three musicals, one stage play, and one youth theater production.

We create outstanding shows that entertain our audiences, provide a creative outlet to the community, and educate people of all ages about the theater arts.

Support our mission by becoming a member, becoming a patron, and telling a friend about the show you saw today. Word of mouth is the most effective way that we attract new audiences.

Our members create costumes, design sets, source props, devise lighting and sound plans, perform, manage our finances, create marketing plans, and much more. We welcome new volunteers at every skill level and would love to tell you more about how to get involved at MCT! Our patrons support our shows through ticket sales, direct donations, employer matching, annual giving, corporate sponsorships, and planned gifts. We gratefully accept cash and check donations at every performance.

To contribute online, please use this link to donate: https://my.cheddarup.com/c/become-a-mct-donor To contribute by mail, please send your donation to: MCT PO Box 26144 Collegeville, PA 19426

Brittany Recupero Exercise Therapist

Egoscue of Philadelphia

501 Office Center Drive, Suite 205, Fort Washington, PA 19034 phone: 267-460-8889 | www.egoscue.com brittanyr@egoscue.com

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CUSTOM ORDERS WELCOME!

The Cast & Crew of First Date Dedicate their Performance to:

Helen Betzler and Peg Cherelli

MCT would like to thank Variety Club for the use of the Recreation Hall to rehearse and perform First Date. We appreciate their generosity and value our ongoing partnership with them.

Founded 85 years ago, Variety – the Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley has a mission to enrich the lives of children and young adults with disabilities through social, educational, and vocational programs that nurture independence and self-confidence and prepare them for life.

Next up for MCT:

City of Angels

May 12 - 21, 2023

Shannondell Performing Arts Theater

Matilda

July 14 - 23, 2023

Shannondell Performing Arts Theater