By Lynn Venhaus

Laugh-out-loud funny, “First Date” is a refreshing tonic that we didn’t know we needed, a balm to sooth our jangled nerves, a palate cleanser for these times.

Nothing can top communal laughter to make our days merry and bright, and this sharp-witted script and finely tuned ensemble delivers a frisky romantic comedy that charms in welcome and unexpected ways.

New Jewish Theatre’s latest polished gem is a St. Louis premiere and runs from Nov. 21 through Dec. 8. Because of Thanksgiving, there isn’t a show Nov. 28, but a special “Black Friday Getaway Matinee” is set for 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29 (before Shabbat starts at sunset).

The relatable contemporary story unfolds in real time as two young adults meet for a blind date at a St. Louis restaurant. Aaron, a nervous newbie to blind dates, has been set up with Casey, a more experienced dater, by her brother-in-law, who works with Aaron. He has an ex-fiancé, she’s unattached, and they both come with apprehensions and hesitations, but also with a desire to get back in the game.

For anyone who has dipped into the dating pool, or after a few disastrous results, has sworn ‘never again’ on dating apps, this musical is aimed at you. If you know, you know – the opening number is called “The One.”

Everyone else’s misery is common ground – and amusing in how it resonates. Ah, human nature – and hope springs eternal.

A spot-on Mitch Henry-Eagles is the hapless, skittish, buttoned-up Aaron and sublime Molly Wennstrom shows new facets as the edgy chic freewheeling Casey. They’re expressive in the delightful “First Impressions.”

The appealing duo are well-suited as opposite-types whose conversations are awkward, revealing, sometimes cringy and often genuine, full of zingers, gasps, and insight. They poignantly deliver their solos – “Things I Never Said” (Aaron) and “Safer” (Casey) with aplomb.

In a daffy high-concept twist, the couple discovers that they are not alone — their inner voices take on a life of their own. Actors who have been sitting at dining tables transform into either supportive or exasperated friends who offer blunt advice and harsh critiques. They turn into parents and ex-lovers too.

Jayson Heil, Drew Mizell, Greta Rosenstock and Grace Seidel slip into various roles with ease.

The dos and don’ts of dating are mentioned with hilarious results, and hijinks ensue – especially in the company musical numbers “The Awkward Pause,” “The Girl for You,” Total Loser” (about what embarrassments you can find out on Google), and “The Check!” (who pays).

The ringleader keeping everything spinning is the server/maître ‘d/host/snob/busybody/ Broadway wannabe simply known as “Waiter,” who is played with great zest and Swiss-watch comic timing by the inimitable Will Bonfiglio (three-time St. Louis Theater Circle Award winner for lead performances in comedy). He also doubles as Casey’s therapist.

This high-spirited, intimate production was crafted by a trio of friends – book writer Austin Winsberg, with music and lyrics by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner, and opened on Broadway in 2013, with Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez as the couple. They employ up-to-date lingo and prefer to walk on the wild side.

Agile quip-meister Winsberg, who has written for “Gossip Girl” among other television series and films, adapted the live “The Sound of Music” event on NBC in 2013, so he knows his way around a musical format.

Clever tunesmiths Zachary and Weiner have cowritten other songs and shows, including the upcoming “Trading Places” musical, and take risks here with brutal honesty – and earn big laughs. An ode to bad boys, “That’s Why You Love Me,” and a cheerful “Something That Will Last” show their versatility.

Director Lee Anne Mathews, who is adept at breezy, light-hearted fare, keeps everything percolating, and choreographed the numbers, too. For NJT, she directed “Raging Skillet” and “Imagining Madoff,” and previously directed “Avenue Q” at Westport Playhouse.

She has skillfully staged this show so that everyone comfortably meshes like a longtime comedy improvisation team, capitalizing on all their strengths.

The cast not only is in sync for the entire brisk 95-minute show, but also confidently displays different sides of themselves as performers, some of them revelatory.

During the past three years, Heil, Mizell and Wennstrom have been stand-out stars rising in the local theater community. Here, they get to have fun stretching themselves in roles playing against type.

Heil, who has delivered dramatic interpretations in classics like “All My Sons” (New Jewish Theatre), “Dial M for Murder” (the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), and “The Mousetrap” (Stray Dog Theatre), is stunning as this loud, obnoxious bro Gabe, Aaron’s best friend who fancies himself a ladies’ man and speaks in naughty, not nice, terms. He is intense and unfiltered.

Mizell, a gifted singer and dancer who headlined Stray Dog’s “Saturday Night Fever” as Tony Manero and played the tortured Edgar Allan Poe in the company’s recent “Nevermore,” is campy as the flamboyant bestie Reggie serving as Casey’s bail-out call if needed, and as a sexy deadbeat ex.

They join Greta Rosenstock, who appeared in the musical revue “Jerry’s Girls” two years ago. She has comical turns as the demanding, controlling ex-fiancé Allison and Aaron’s Jewish grandmother Ida.

Bonfiglio, whose triumphs include the one-man shows “Fully Committed,” “Buyer & Cellar,” and “Every Brilliant Thing,” has dived into quirky ensemble work in “Red Scare on Sunset,” “Grey Gardens,” and “Mr. Burns, A Post-Electric Play.” He has a blast as the snarky waiter who nimbly switches into a showbiz lounge act. “I’d Order Love” is silly fun.

Seidel is an established veteran, playing integral roles in such musicals as “The Last Five Years,” “Be More Chill,” “Head Over Heels,” “Avenue Q,” “The Mad Ones,” “Ride the Cyclone” and “25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Here, she’s spry as Casey’s judgy married older sister Lauren.

Along with Heil and Mizell, Wennstrom is in the new class of triple threats creating memorable performances. Already a St. Louis Theater Circle Award winner for NJT’s comedy “Dear Jack, Dear Louise,” she has appeared at the J in the award-winning “Into the Woods” and in St. Louis Shakespeare Festival’s lively “As You Like It” this past summer.

Henry-Eagles has stood out in such quirky ensemble shows as “Trash Macbeth,” “Oedipus Apparatus,” “Hand to God,” and most recently, “Life Is a Dream.”

This tight ensemble is an abundance of riches, for they each distinguish themselves in their individual roles, but also work cohesively in group numbers, making this material seem fresh – and a cut above theme-park song-and-dance acts.

Musical Director Larry D. Pry, who won the St. Louis Circle Award for Best Music Direction for “Into the Woods” last year, knows how to bring out the best in his singers.   
Playing keyboards, he’s joined by Mathew Coble on guitar, Brandon Thompson on woodwinds, and Joseph Winters on drums.

The crackerjack design team included John Stark, who has expertly crafted a functional and attractive restaurant, and Denisse Chavez gives it a cozy glow as lighting designer. As always, Amanda Werre’s sound design is superb and costume designer Michele Friedman Siler has splendidly defined each character sartorially with the right amount of sass and class.

With the cast’s considerable and extensive talents, anchored in vivid characterizations by Wennstrom and Henry-Eagles. and the creative minds raising the bar, “First Date” is an engaging rip-roaring romp that had us at hello, celebrating the flirty fun and foibles involved in personal connection.

New Jewish Theatre presents the musical “First Date” Nov. 21 through Dec. 8, with performances Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m., without a show on Thanksgiving Day, and an added 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 29. Performances take place in the Wool Studio Theatre at the SFC Performing Arts Center, 2 Millstone Campus Drive. For tickets, visit: showpass.com/first-date-3 or call 314-442-3283. For more information: jccstl.com/arts-ideas/new-jewish-theatre/current-productions.