Altar Identity Studios co-produces First Date with Tony Award winner Junkyard Dog Productions & Stem Productions

AIS Expansion Pioneers the Future of Broadway Investment

Altar Identity Studios' Producers Go Behind-the-Scenes of First Date

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Jun 20, 2013, 08:00 ET

NEW YORK, June 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Altar Identity Studios, a Media Society company, today announced that they are co-producing FIRST DATE, Broadway's new romantic musical comedy, with Tony Award winner Junkyard Dog Productions and Stem Productions. Performances begin Tuesday, July 9, 2013, and opening night is Thursday, August 8, 2013, at Broadway's Longacre Theatre (220 West 48^th Street).

Having previously produced the smash hit and Tony-Award winning Best Musical, Memphis, Junkyard Dog Productions and co-producer Joseph Craig of Stem Productions approached Wade Bradley, President of Altar Identity Studios, in March to provide financing for their next project, FIRST DATE. Altar Identity Studios connects highly successful theatre and feature film producers with Media Society's member-only community of affluent individuals. The combined effort from due diligence to funding occurred within just ninety days.

Altar Identity Studios combined with Media Society has expanded its end-to-end, managed-risk platform for entertainment investments to include Broadway theatre, in addition to feature films. The expanded approach further diversifies each slate of entertainment opportunities offered to Media Society members, enhancing risk management while continuing to provide complete financial transparency. Wade Bradley commented, "With FIRST DATE, the company is expanding our successful platform from the big screen to Broadway, making it possible for theatre lovers to play a role in the art they love."

"Combining tremendously accomplished, Tony-Award winning production companies like Junkyard Dog Productions and Stem Productions allows us to deliver the highest potential returns to Media Society members and Altar Identity Studio's Executive Producers. FIRST DATE was a hit show in Seattle and we're confident that both audiences and our members and executive producers will be cheering, when it hits Broadway,"

Media Society and Altar Identity's expansion is now changing Broadway investments much the same way they did feature film investments.

"We're excited to be partnering with Altar Identity Studios in their mission to revolutionize the Broadway investment platform," said producer Randy Adams. "Junkyard Dog Productions looks forward to bringing top-quality theatre projects to the myriad of theatre lovers that Altar Identity Studios includes."

Joseph Craig, of Stem Productions, added

"Nothing in this business is more valuable than a team who can secure funding both quickly and easily. Wade and Altar Identity have been a pleasure to work with and we look forward to both FIRST DATE and future collaborations."

As part of their activities with Media Society and Altar Identity Studios, members and executive producers have been invited to a FIRST DATE pre-opening event where they will go behind-the-scenes, with exclusive access to closed-door rehearsals at the Longacre Theatre, as FIRST DATE prepares for its highly anticipated August 8^th opening.

"These aren't merely investors. Our membership is comprised of affluent individuals from all walks of life that desire to achieve both artistic and financial returns. They're deeply connected with these projects, and it's an unforgettable experience for them to witness the fruits of their efforts first-hand," said Helen Rosenberg, CFO of Altar Identity Studios.

Members and executive producers will also hear from Stem Productions' Joseph Craig, as he discusses the State of the Union for Broadway and Feature film, the event's keynote speech.

ABOUT MEDIA SOCIETY:
Media Society is an exclusive, members-only community of affluent individuals that desire to play an active role in the entertainment industry, combined with Altar Identity Studios' end-to-end managed-risk platform (including professional studio oversight, theatrical distribution and financial transparency) and their community of highly-experienced feature film and theatre production companies.

The pioneering combination provides members and executive producers with priceless experiences and opportunities, while engaged in the art and business of filmmaking and Broadway theatre. Wade Bradley is the CEO of Media Society and President of Altar Identity Studios. Helen Rosenberg is CFO of Media Society and Altar Identity Studios.

ABOUT FIRST DATE:
FIRST DATE stars Zachary Levi as Aaron and Krysta Rodriguez as Casey, features Sara Chase ("Arrested Development," The Toxic Avenger), Kristoffer Cusick (Wicked, Rent), Blake Hammond (Sister Act, Billy Elliot), Kate Loprest ("Boardwalk Empire," Hairspray) and Bryce Ryness (Hair, Leap of Faith), and the cast also includes Eric Ankrim (World premiere of First Date), Kevin Kern (Wicked), Vicki Noon (Wicked) and Sydney Shepherd (The Picture of Dorian Gray). With a book by Austin Winsberg ("Gossip Girl"), music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner (Secondhand Lions, Twice Charmed) and musical staging by Josh Rhodes (Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella), FIRST DATE is directed by Bill Berry (Producing Director of The 5^th Avenue Theatre).

When tightly wound Aaron (Zachary Levi) is set up with serial-dater Casey (Krysta Rodriguez) a quick drink at a busy New York restaurant turns into a hilarious, high-stakes dinner. As the date unfolds in real time, the couple quickly finds they are not alone on this date as Casey and Aaron's inner critics take on a life of their own when other restaurant patrons and the wait staff get into the act. Dinner is served with sides of Google background checks, fake emergency phone calls, supportive best friends, manipulative exes and protective parents, who sing and dance them through ice-breakers, appetizers and potential conversational land mines. FIRST DATE is Broadway's new hysterical and hopeful new musical about the chances we take to find love.

FIRST DATE was originally co-produced by The 5th Avenue Theatre (David Armstrong, Executive Producer and Artistic Director; Bernadine Griffin, Managing Director; Bill Berry, Producing Director), and A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle, WA (Kurt Beattie, Artistic Director; Carlo Scandiuzzi, Executive Director) from March 10 to May 20, 2012. Variety called FIRST DATE "Flat-out ingenious!" and The Seattle Times said FIRST DATE is "Terrific – snappy and irreverent!" The production was awarded four Seattle Times Footlight Awards, including best musical.