Small talk, pleasantries, and banal chatter -- and it may not even be that good. As painful as they may seem sometimes, if your goal is to be in a relationship, you're probably going to have to go on one. Now Lost City Productions has its own...

The theatre company is making its Off-Broadway debut with Stephen Tesher's new comedy First Date, at the Phil Bosakowski Theater July 19-30.

Spanning over twenty years in less than two hours, First Date zips us through the evolution of a relationship. From the invariable "first date" through marriage, kids, careers, and the irreconcilable end, we observe our type specimens Murray and Sheila as they ride this bridal wave. Assumedly, we learn a thing or two about gender roles and the struggle to break free from established family values.

Playwright Tesher (Gus,Two at a Table) reworked Date, which was a one-act, and premiered it at NoHo's Gene Frankel Theatre this past June, before Lost City brought it to OB. Laura Pierce directs the piece which includes a cast of Quince Marcum, Nicole Raphael, Sarah Paulding, Elizabeth Elinghaus, and Aron Weidhorn. Rachel Matz and Robert Steinman play the destined duo.

Tickets to Date at Primary Stage's Bosakowski, 354 West 45th Street can be bought for $30 at (212) 604-4600 or by calling Tele-Charge at (212) 239-6700. -- by Ernio Hernandez