Event information
First Date: The Musical receives its South African premiere at the Avalon Theatre, Homecoming Centre, presented by Origen Productions in arrangement with DALRO. The Broadway comedy follows a cautious, relationship-minded man and a fearless serial dater on a blind date that unravels through a string of awkward, comic turns.
Directed by Byron Bure, whose credits include RENT and Shrek The Musical, the production features music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner and a book by Austin Winsberg. The cast is led by Emma Amber as Casey and Ethan Saunders as Aaron, alongside William Young, Kirsten Pienaar, Asanda Mngadi and Zoë Chetty in multiple supporting roles, with further cast members Robert Shenton, Nikita Latimer and Ethan Dunk.
Set inside a New York City restaurant, the story brings the couple's friends, exes, family members and inner critics to life on stage, interrupting the date with song and commentary. Origen Productions, founded in 2022, has previously staged The Marvelous Wonderettes, nominated for two Fleur du Cap Theatre Awards, and Love Me, Feed Me, Never Leave Me, winner of a Standard Bank Ovation Award at the 2025 National Arts Festival.
The production carries an age advisory of 12 and up.