Date of a Lifetime

Dating in New York can be nearly impossible. In the career-focused capital of the world, singles constantly suffer while searching for the perfect mate. In a city of ambitious perfectionists, how can you ever know if you've met the right person for you?

Jaded New Yorkers Katie (Farah Alvin) and Marvin (Jamie LaVerdiere) meet at Rotate-a-Date, a speed-dating event, expressing immediate, blatant pessimism in "It'll Never Work Out." They've both been around the block one too many times and finally resorted to speed dating lest they become lonely old farts. An opening montage comically explores speed dating stereotypes—– the cat lady, the penny pincher—until Katie and Marvin catch each other's eye. From there, each partner imagines a lifelong scenario with the other. Both are equally sad and perpetuate the stereotypical differences between men and women. For instance, in Marvin's imagination, Katie pressures him to give her a ring, and in Katie's, she falls for Marvin because he listens to her.

The musical is incredibly New York-centric, and while the Big Apple amplifies dating problems, the general relationship issues addressed resonate with all homo sapiens. However, there are a few insider New York lines that hit home. Katie questions the hype of the High Line, while Marvin, an Internet journalist, pokes fun at finding date ideas in "Time Out New York," which uses the time-honored journalistic practice that every headline should include the word "best." Combating a midlife crisis, Marvin excuses his dating delay by saying "41 is the new 18," and goes on to excuse his waning career by singing about being on the list: "40 Men Who Are 40 and Still Might Make It."

While the material is almost too fluffy, Alvin and LaVerdiere deliver incredibly charismatic performances, not taking themselves too seriously. LaVerdiere sings "Monsters," about raising children, with the goofiness of a kid and the worldliness of an adult, while Alvin's "You Listened" lovingly mocks women's desire for a man to pay attention. Director Jeremy Dobrish keeps the production moving and uses minimal staging effectively.

Susan Barras' set looks like the lollipop guild designed it, and Jeff Croiter has too many lighting cues for just two actors. However, the magnetic performers, Carl Kissin's insightful book and lyrics, and Baumgartner, Jr.'s upbeat music are plenty to keep the 90 minutes rolling along.

Presented by Ulmer Theatricals as part of the New York Musical Theatre Festival at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, 2162 Broadway, NYC. Oct. 6-16. Remaining performances: Wed., Oct. 12, 4:30 p.m.; Fri., Oct. 14, 8 p.m.; Sat., Oct. 15, 4:30 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 16, 4:30 p.m. (212) 352-3101, (866) 811-4111, www.theatermania.com, or www.nymf.org.