Chuck’s Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez to Headline First Date on Broadway

Chuck star Zachary Levi will make his Broadway debut opposite Smash alum Krysta Rodriguez in the new romantic musical comedy First Date, which begins performances at the Longacre Theatre on July 9. Opening night is set for August 8.

Levi will play a tightly wound investment banker named Aaron who goes on a blind date with adventurous serial dater Casey (Rodriguez). A quick drink turns into a hilarious dinner with sides of Google background checks, fake emergency phone calls, a slew of exes and some seriously saucy chemistry.

Joining Levi and Rodriguez are Sara Chase (Arrested Development), Kristoffer Cusick (Wicked), Blake Hammond (Sister Act), Kate Loprest (Boardwalk Empire) and Vicki Noon (Wicked). Additional casting will be announced shortly.

First Date features music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, a book by Austin Winsberg, direction by Bill Berry and musical staging by Josh Rhodes. The show premiered in Seattle in March 2012, co-produced by 5th Avenue Theatre and A Contemporary Theatre. 

The Broadway production boasts scenic and media design by David Gallo, costumes by David C. Woolard, lighting by Mike Baldassari, sound by Kai Harada, hair design by Josh Marquette, orchestrations by August Eriksmoen and musical supervision/arrangements by Dominick Amendum.

Levi will make his Broadway debut in First Date (his Chuck co-star Yvonne Strahovski made hers last season in Golden Boy). Levi’s screen credits include Tangled, Thor: The Dark World and Less Than Perfect.

Rodriguez, who recently wrapped a splashy role on Smash, last appeared on Broadway as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family. Other Broadway credits include the original casts of In the Heights, Spring Awakening and Good Vibrations, as well as the 2006 revival of A Chorus Line.