Rust Belt theater takes another stab at ‘Dating’

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Rust Belt Theater Company will bring back “Dating Sucks: The Musical” with some fresh songs and a new way to give audience members a say in the show.

The musical comedy will be performed at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and also Feb. 17, 18, 24 and 25, at Calvin Center, 744 Mahoning Ave.

Written and directed by Robert Dennick Joki, with orchestration by Josh Taylor, and choreography by Marisa Zamary, the revue-style show explores the peaks and pitfalls of dating, with real life stories and original songs.

A raunchy multimedia performance that leaves little to the imagination, “Dating Sucks” has become a Valentine’s Day season mainstay on Rust Belt’s season, but with fresh additions each year.

One new aspect of this year’s run is that audience members will have a chance to shape the performances. Before each show, patrons can fill out a survey card about their worst dating experiences. The answers will then be incorporated into the performance.

Four new songs have been added to the show. They deal with some touchy subjects, including unfortunate flatulence while on a date, creepy stalker types, men who can’t keep their eyes above a woman’s body, and the body photos that some men send women.

Some of the favorite songs returning from last year are “High School Vampire Boyfriend,” “The Most Honest Love Song That You’ll Ever Hear,” “Friend Zone,” “Ay Caramba,” “Monogamy is for Ugly People,” “Bars and Legs,” “Love is An Open Sore,” “She Likes Cats” and “But Pirates.”

The show also features dialog taken directly from online dating profiles and mobile dating app conversations.

The cast includes Zamary, Nicole Zayas, Kage Coven, Rachel Clifford, Jenn El-Makdah, Lisa Torrence, Madi Pomeroy, Heather Powell, Chris Hartman, Celena Coven, James Hain, Lynn Sabeh and Bernadette Lim.

Tickets are $15 ($10 for students and seniors). There will be a reception after the opening night performance. For reservations, call 330-507-2358.