Falling in Love at the Show

Of all the things you can see in a live performance, what's better than watching two people fall in love?

"First Night" is a sharply-written love story that unfolds in a video store circa 1995, and for a limited time it's playing here in Mission Viejo at the .

The story revolves around a slacker video store clerk (Danny, played by Christopher Sullivan) and his 8th-grade crush, who also turns out to be a nun (Meredith, played by Jill Maglione). Well, whether or not she remains a nun takes a little more explanation, and it's something best left for the audience to resolve.

The romantic comedy is full of references to classic cinema. Love songs are played before and after, setting the mood for a romantic evening.

Director Joe Alanes describes it as a play about dreams:

Sometimes the idea of the dream itself is put on such a high pedestal that striving for that dream generates fear of the possibility that the reality, once the dream is attained, will not live up to the dream itself. So, do we go for it, risking that chance of disappointment, or do we stay in a safe place and keep our dreams in that safe little spot in our heads and hearts?

The whole thing takes place inside the MVTV studios, which is inside the library. It's a small if not cramped space that works fairly well for the tiny cast and about 30 audience members. It is an intimate space, and it's the first time the has attempted to use it.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students.

Here are the remaining showtimes:

April 5-7 @ 7:30 p.m.

Learn more at the website, modjeskaplayhouse.org.