Curtains are going up on the latest production through We Are Emporia Community Theatre this weekend.
WEACT will present the musical comedy “First Date” on Friday and Saturday inside Emporia State’s Albert Taylor Hall. The show centers on two individuals, Casey and Aaron, who are on a blind date in New York City. Throughout the production, hilarity ensues as the audience is taken on a ride through the pitfalls and quirks one encounters during a random fix-up.
Playing the lead role of Aaron is Dr. Scott Wichael (Like Michael), an Associate Professor of Music at Emporia State who has been away from the stage for quite some time. With a background in operatic performance, Wichael, a recent guest of KVOE’s On Air Chat, says the singing came naturally to him; however, the dialogue of the show took some adjusting.
Playing Casey is Emporia High School alumn Zulema Renteria, who says this may be the closest character to herself she has ever played.
Like Wichael, Emporia High School Choir Director Sarah Bays is making her return to the stage, playing various characters throughout the production. Bays, who is often behind the scenes in her professional role, says it has been a challenging, but rewarding experience.
Daniel Mednoza, who has been in several WEACT productions, is also taking on multiple roles throughout the show. He admits he knew little about the material before auditioning, but says it’s been a lot of fun getting to bring his characters to life.
Director Penny Speedie says she has enjoyed running the production and working with all involved. She says she is expecting a good turnout for the weekend’s performance, as the community has truly gotten behind WEACT in recent years and always shows up in full force to support their efforts.
The show does contain some adult humor that may not be suitable for all audiences, according to Speedie. Showtime for Friday and Saturday is 7:30 pm with doors opening at 7 pm.
The cost to attend is $13 plus tax, with tickets available online at Eventbrite.com or the door. For more information, find WEACT on Facebook.
