Show Synopsis:
Aaron and Casey, who seem to be polar opposites, meet for a blind date. They navigate the first impressions, awkward pauses, and debates over what to eat, and get to know each other throughout the night. During the date, they both imagine people from their lives (family members, friends, and other people at the restaurant) give insight into the date and their lives in general. At the end of the night, they haven't exactly had the best date, but kiss and think that maybe this is the beginning of something instead of the end of "just another date."
Character:
Casey, a sarcastic, independent, and edgy young woman with a strong inner critic; would love to find the man of her dreams but is losing faith that he exists; is a little intimidating and abrasive to those she does not know.
Song Context:
While she is sorting our her feelings for Aaron, Casey imagines an appointment with her therapist, where she talks about her failed relationships and inability to open up to people.
Fun Facts:
1) The creators of First Date, Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, were inspired by their own "first date" experiences to write this musical.
2) Krysta Rodriguez originated the role of Casey on Broadway, and said in a Latina interview that she did not really identify with the character: "I?m a New Yorker, I?ve been here for 11 years, I?ve seen it all. That wasn?t hard to draw. She walks into a date, she goes on them all the time, she has her men categorized, she knows what kind of drink for what kind of person she?s meeting. She?s got it all figured out."
"I know that I have issues.
I face them - I swear.
Think I overcome them, then turn -
They?re still there.
Wish that I was different,
I?d like to let go
But when I try to change,
There?s my past saying ?no.?
Maybe it?s all ?cause of Dad,
His new kids, his new wife
Or why not just blame Mom,
Who?s been nuts my whole life.
When you?ve felt so alone
Since the moment of birth
And you?ve struggled to find
Your own true sense of worth
When it seems there is no one
Across this whole Earth
To depend upon, you carry on
Just like you always do
?Cause it?s safer to rely on you.
Oh, it?s safer to rely on you.
Seen a million movies
All selling true love,
Fantasies I?m not sure
That I?m worthy of.
Caution to the wind,
My heart?s been on display.
Still the end result is
It?s not gone my way.
So when I date some new guy
Who?s a deadbeat or jerk
At least I?m not so crushed
When it all doesn?t work.
When you once, unafraid,
Wore your heart on your sleeve
And the ones that you loved
Chose to just turn and leave,
Every day it gets harder to somehow believe
You will survive, so you strive
Just to keep up your guard
?Cause it?s safer to hold every card.
Oh, it?s safer to hold every card.
I feel out of control.
I feel safe on the ground
I go building up walls,
Yet I wish to be found.
A true contradiction to which I am bound
As I keep on spinning around and around
And I look at the people
Who?ve worked it all out
And I wonder why I?m still
A bundle of doubt
And sometimes I wanna just stand up and shout
?Just commit and deal with it
Before your life flies by!
Don?t let your life fly by!?
But is it safer?
Maybe it?s safer
If I don?t try."