50 First Dates The Musical

50 First Dates, the musical

Unforgettable fun

If, like me, you’ve half-forgotten the film, or perhaps never read the book, this musical adaptation offers a delightful new way to rediscover 50 First Dates. We meet Henry Roth (Josh St. Clair), a travel influencer about to embark on a European tour. Fate, however, has other plans. On a visit to Key Largo, a small island in Florida, he encounters Lucy Whitmore (Georgina Castle), and together they share a seemingly perfect day. The twist? Lucy suffers from short-term memory loss, and with the support of her friends and family, she has been unknowingly reliving the same day for years.

I absolutely loved this production for all that it is: a feel-good story of love, family, and community. It celebrates the power of kindness and support, and it does so with warmth and humour. There are moments so touching that they’ll bring happy tears, yet the overall experience remains uplifting and joyous.

The show runs straight through at about one hour forty minutes. Personally, I think this is the perfect length; breezy, engaging, and without the need for an interval that might interrupt the flow.

The opening prologue, where Henry is introduced as a carefree playboy, felt more like a fun montage than a necessary plot device, but it did add another layer to his later commitment to Lucy. Once past that, the show never loses momentum.

What makes this production shine is its simplicity. The cast and their storytelling are more than enough, no flashy gimmicks required. A fun moment was the beach-cleaning scene, when bottles and rubbish were gleefully tossed across the stage by one performer as they exited, much to the audience’s delight. Director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw has kept the small-town Florida charm woven throughout the production, from the staging to the intimate atmosphere. Cleverly designed set pieces transform the space smoothly, rolling booths in the diner, blinds that drop to reveal different settings, always effective and in keeping with the show’s light, playful tone.

The cast is a real joy. St. Clair and Castle are outstanding leads, with wonderful chemistry and a natural ease on stage. Their ukulele duet, a playful song of simple rhyming couplets, was especially endearing. Castle, in particular, has some hilarious and heartfelt moments when Lucy forgets Henry, rejecting him in inventive ways that build into a quick-fire montage of comic brilliance.

Chad Saint Louis brings exuberant energy as Sandy, a camp, pun-loving character who could easily have been a side-note but instead becomes essential to the show’s buoyant rhythm. His puns and Disney references had the audience grinning from ear to ear, and as the show itself admits, they’re knowingly cheesy in the best possible way.

Natasha O’Brien as Delilah, Henry’s PR manager, adds pace and sparkle, breaking up scenes with witty interjections and grounding reminders of the outside world. When Lucy’s family enter the picture, her brother Doug (Charlie Toland) and father Marlin (John Marquez) offer both humour and heart. Their presence grounds the show firmly in Florida life, complete with bold attitudes and comic tan lines. One of the most tender moments comes when Marlin accepts Henry, gently scolding Doug for not offering him a drink, a quiet but beautiful turning point in the story.

This musical is a radiant celebration of love and laughter, told with charm, wit, and genuine warmth. It’s the kind of show that leaves you walking out with a smile, humming the songs, and perhaps even believing a little more in the magic of a perfect day.

Photo credit by Pamela Raith