Megan Markham – Analog Artist Digital World

Written by Mallory Vance and Megan Markham, Fictional First Dates is a musical Parody presented by Phoenix Tears Productions, at Dragonfly Studio 129 (133 W Mckey St., Ocoee, Florida 34761) about dating using a digital app called Sparkle. Songs were used from other shows with the lyrics changed to advance the story. Carson (Chan Sterling) was a writer who had an assignment to write an article about Sparkle the new digital dating app. He was friends with Piper (Megan Markham) who worked in a coffee shop. The coffee bar in the corner of the set was fully functioning and Pam ordered us drinks for the show. I needed a hot drink to battle my chronic cough. I had sketched this show before, and wanted to see how it had evolved over time.

Tyrion Lannister (Skylar Keck) found out about Carson’s new mission to go on dates, and he introduced him to the appeal of one night stands. Skylar’s singing prowess stood out in this show. He did an amazing job staying true to his character. Each date Carson went on was with a female hero from pop culture. He dated Jean (Bella Swan) from Xmen, Daphne (Leanna Bailey) from Scooby Doo Faith (Olivia Roman) from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and more.

The funniest date came when Carson’s date spoke at a rapid fire pace never giving him a chance to get a word in. The date was over before he knew what hit him. The blind hopes and dreams of each meeting made for some fun encounters. Not all the singers hit the notes just right but the fun playful aspect of the show allowed for some off key registers. I had a blast.

I unwrapped about 10 cough drops before the show started and sipped some hot coffee to keep my cough at bay. Laughing unfortunately triggers my cough sometimes and that happened in the middle of the show. I started coughing so uncontrollably I had to run out into the street so I didn’t interrupt the show. Once I regained my composure I slipped back inside. I managed to stifle my cough through the end of the show.

Ralph Richardson famously said, “The art of acting consists in keeping people from coughing.”

Fictional First Dates runs through April 14, 2019.

Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door.

This original production written by Mallory Vance and Megan Markham,Fictional First Dates is a sixty minute musical that tells the story of Carson Devaraux and his search for a date to his sister’s wedding. With the help of his best friend Piper, a Batista, and a little app called Sparkler, Carson goes on a series of dates with pop culture characters from
Avatar Korra to Lavender Brown to Eowyn and many more who arrive at Cafe
Nirvana. Along the way he makes new friends and discovers that dating fictional crushes might not be all it’s cracked up to be.

The rehearsal began with a musical number in which the
cast of 8 celebrated all the perfect women who could be found with the app. A sweet telephone bell sound announced when a perfect match had been found. The first date was hilarious, with a woman who talked so fast and was so scattered that Carson never got a word in before she bolted. One musical number with the two bachelors reminded me of a Sondheim song. The lyrics were so fun and endearing however that I had to applaud. I found is funny when it was noted that even a Marvel comics character would be challenged dating today.

Dates happened seated stage left or stage right and sometimes at both tables. Coffee seemed to be this shows elixir of love. It was entertaining and frightening to see how easy it was for the dates to crash and burn. The women ranged from sweet and high spirited to a dangerous warrior princess. To me it seemed obvious that Carson’s best friend Piper was the perfect date, but their platonic relationship blew up in a rage. His fictional crushes kept him from seeing the importance of the friend he had come to rely on.

The play ends on an inspired high note with the entire cast singing on stage. Like seemed to attract like and the imagined was replaced by the real. I was laughing out loud through the whole show. The show has a very short run, so do at miss your chance to experience the comic dangers of dating from the safety of your theater seat.

Marshall Ellis Theatre 1300 La Quinta Dr #3, Orlando, FL 32809

Remaining show times are:

Saturday January 21, 2017 from 7pm to 8:30pm

Sunday January 22, 2017 from 2pm to 3:30pm

Tickets