Zachary Levi Has His ‘First Date’ on Broadway
Zachary Levi, the “Chuck” star soon to appear in upcoming Marvel sequel “Thor: The Dark World,” will make his Broadway debut this summer in “First Date,” co-starring with “Smash” thesp Krysta Rodriguez in the musical set to open at the Longacre Theater.
Levi, who sang in Disney toon “Tangled,” will appear as an uptight young man who’s set up on a date with the free-spirit serial dater to be played by Rodriguez (“The Addams Family,” “Spring Awakening”). Thesps are new to the show since its premiere at the 5th Avenue Theater in Seattle in May 2012.
Show has a book by Austin Winsberg, a writer on CW skein “Gossip Girl,” and songs by composer-lyricist duo Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, who also penned the long-gestating “Secondhand Lions” musical skedded to bow this fall at 5th Avenue. Sara Chase, Kristoffer Cusick, Blake Hammond, Kate Loprest and Vicki Noon also are among the cast of the production, helmed by Bill Berry, the producing director of 5th Avenue Theater.
Josh Rhodes (“Cinderella”) choreographs with a design team that includes David Gallo (set and media), David C. Woolard (costumes), Mike Baldassari (lights) and Kai Harada (sound).
Junkyard Dog Prods. (Randy Adams, Marleen and Kenny Alhadeff, Sue Frost) the company behind Tony winner “Memphis,” produces “First Date” in association with Stem Prods., Altar Identity Studios, Alex and Katya Lukianov, Susan W. and James C. Blair Family LP, Linda and Bill Potter, Yasuhiro Kawana, Vijay and Sita Vashee, Elim Enterprises LLP, Kevin and Lynn Foley, Jeff and Julie Goldstein, Edward and Mimi Kirsch, Paula and Stephen Reynolds, Tony Meola/John Yonover, ShadowCatcher Entertainment /Tom and Connie Walsh, and Pat Halloran/Laura Little Entertainment.
“First Date” starts previews July 9 ahead of an Aug. 8 opening at the Longacre, the venue where the last tenant, play “The Performers,” shuttered after a brief run in the fall.
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