Speed dating focus of new Metropolis comedy
Speed dating typically conjures up an image of singles exchanging vital information in five minutes before moving on to the next potential date.
That hardly leaves time to learn much about each other. But in the new comedy, "SpeeDating … The Musical," audience members learn all about the wacky range of characters, and then some.
"These people all want to put their best foot forward," says Scott Woldman, resident playwright at Metropolis, "but somehow they're incapable of doing so."
Their stories -- combined with their awkward and often hilarious attempts at coming up with conversation -- has all the makings of a good musical, he adds.
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The show makes its premiere at 10 p.m. Saturday at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights, with consecutive performances at the same time each Saturday night through June 21 (with no performances May 3, 10 and 17).
It is the latest entry in the Metropolis' "After Dark Comedy" series, and officials have given it a suggested bull;R rating for adult language and content.
Director Brad Dunn says the musical is structured like a typical speed dating event, complete with the tables that wannabes sit at, and cards that they complete after meeting each new person.
Still, it offers much more than a re-enactment.
"It's very much a character-driven piece," Dunn says, "with these really, really colorful characters."
He points to one of the men who is so shy he can hardly get a word in, and another who is terribly nervous, as well as two seemingly well-adjusted singles that audience members can't help but root for.
"SpeeDating" comes after two of Woldman's other successful comedies he's written for Metropolis, including "Thinking with your Head #8230; Men Exposed," and "Dates from Hell."
Woldman is married and never attended a speed dating event, but he has plenty of friends, and even parents of students he teaches, who have.
"Once people found out I was writing about it, everyone had a story to share," he said. "Some were awkward or funny, while others described it as sheer misery."
Aside from the characters and their stories, the music adds another rich dimension to the show, with its songs ranging from disco and traditional rock 'n' roll, to gospel and a lounge jazz ballad.
John and Sandi Stoesser of Arlington Heights combined to write the music, while Woldman wrote the lyrics and Loren Freeman arranged them for the four-piece pit orchestra.
Kirsten Gurbach Jacobson choreographed the show, which includes five large dance numbers, as well as solos.
"This has really been a process, to mount a totally new work, but we're in the home stretch," Dunn says. "We're really excited. We think it's going to be a big hit."
If you go
What: "SpeeDating . . . The Musical"
When: Opens at 10 p.m. Saturday, and continues at 10 p.m. Saturdays through June 21, with no shows May 3, 10 and 17
Where: Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights
Cost: $16.50
Rated: R for adult language and content
Call: (847) 577-2121 or visit metropolisarts.com