Praise for Date of a Lifetime
NYMF
“The show is much like a New Yorker on a date – smart, perhaps self-referential, intriguing, and ultimately, loveable. A wild and funny romp full of great comic moments. ”
Kimberly Lew, Emerging Musical Theatre
“A hot-and-heavy fling you’ll want to have over and over again.”
Matthew Murray, Talkin’ Broadway
“Utterly charming ... a breezy, fun-filled evening ... both whimsical and dynamic.”
Dan Bacalzo, Theatermania
“Highly contagious and wonderfully entertaining, this lovely look at love never stops being entertaining. Great singing, wonderful wordplay ... easily the 21st century equivalent of The Fantasticks in its exploration of romance.”
Karen D’Onofrio, Electronic Link
“Exceptionally theatrical ... Fun, funny, and easy to produce for all those theaters in the world looking for relationship shows to follow up I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.”
Ken Davenport, The Producer’s Perspective
“Kissin’s writing is not just consistently amusing, it’s grounded in truth and understanding of the human condition. This show has a bright future.”
Chip Delfaa, Cabaret Scenes
“Energetic, utterly charming, first rate entertainment ... deserves a long run.”
Richmond Shepard, Lively Arts
“Transcendently Great. Extraordinarily smart book and lyrics by Carl Kissin, lively music by Robert Baumgartner Jr.”
Hy Bender, Hy Reviews
“Kissin’s insightful book and lyrics, and Baumgartner Jr.’s upbeat music keep the 90 minutes rolling along.”
Suzy Evans, Backstage
“A funny, delightful journey of the feelings that ensue when we first meet that special someone. I am confident it will go the way of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, starting off small and ending up on Broadway.’
Sharon Geller, Philadelphia Examiner
New Jersey Rep
“Two extraordinary actors, a remarkable script and impeccable direction make Date of a Lifetime a musical comedy hit ... This team got it just right. Hilarious elements and sentimental touches develop the show's theme perfectly and the musical numbers fit in seamlessly ... Gather your group and go, go now, to see Date of a Lifetime.”
Marina Kennedy, Broadway World
“A breezy 90-minute affair, Date of a Lifetime has a good-humored script by Carl Kissin that is matched by the pleasantly rhythmic tunes of Robert Baumgartner Jr. ... a consistently amusing show, thanks in part to a fleet production that is energetically directed and choreographed by Marlo Hunter.”
Michael Sommers, New York Times
“You can’t afford not to see Date of a Lifetime. Buy a ticket today. Here’s why: It’s outrageously funny, clever, timely, musically and verbally brilliant, but most of all because every step, lyric and note rings true. Date of a Lifetime achieves that rare combination – it is both light and substantial – that leaves audiences smiling and reflective.”
Raphael Badagliacca, Front Row Center
“Everything about Date of a Lifetime, the new production at NJ Rep, is funny, delightful and ingenious ... You will wish this date lasted longer!”
Madeline Schulman, The Link News
“Down in Long Branch, New Jersey, a felicitous musical called Date of a Lifetime shows great commercial potential. For one thing, it has only two characters and doesn’t need much of a set. For another, it’s terrific ... I smell a smash-hit that will be embraced by couples who are dating and couples who are glad that’s all behind them. In short, millions of theatergoers will eventually make a date with Date of a Lifetime.”
Peter Filichia, Filichia on Friday
“Carl Kissin, who wrote the snappy and funny lyrics and the amusing book, and Robert Baumgartner Jr., who keeps apace with a bouncy score, have extended the basic idea into a breezy ninety-minutes of music and fun ... The nicely matched and very talented LaVerdiere and Rapier make their numerous transitions from song to text and from present to future a joy.”
Simon Saltzman, Curtain Up
“There’s a solid comic sensibility at work here, both in the situations and the songs ... NJ Rep gives audiences first crack at what may prove to be a very popular Date.”
Tom Chesek, Asbury Park Press
“A musical that is more sweetly charming fun than any speed-date has any right to be ... It’s funny and sharp, and might surprise you.”
Hannah Walker, Tri City News
“Date Of A Lifetime is a light hearted and charming evening of entertaining comedy and song that may very well be coming to a theater near you ... Writer Carl Kissin and composer Robert Baumgartner Jr. have crafted a 90 minute musical confection that feels like a mash up between a trendy romantic comedy, Saturday Night Live, and an imaginative score reminiscent of the musical style of Marvin Hamlisch.”
Rochelle Denton, NY Theatre Now
Winner of two 2011 NYMF Awards:
Excellence in Writing (Carl Kissin)
Outstanding Individual Performance (Farah Alvin)