The County Stage Company opened the season last weekend with  First Date at The Regent Theatre. The first-rate production had a full house applauding throughout for various comedic set pieces — the extended “Oy Vey!” sequence that takes place after Casey (Sophie Lea McLeod) says, innocently, “I’m not Jewish,” is hilarious for its length alone. As soon as the words are out of her mouth, Aaron (Callum Lurie), on his first blind date ever, falls into a trance: his dead mother marches into his head, a priest piles on, and then his entire extended network gets in on the dismay.

And yet our principals soldier on, through a second drink and then making the great leap to ordering dinner. The production combines big song and dance numbers with intricate and intimate dialogue, the kind you get only when you are spending an evening with someone worth talking to. Supporting actors include a waiter (Martin Julien) with not-so-secret Frank Sinatra dreams; a BFF (Brendan Kinnon) who keeps calling Casey in case she needs a rescue; Matthew Rossi doubles as Aaron’s inner voice; Lindsey Middleton plays a dream girl luring Aaron away from the rigors of real life; and Susan Del Mei offers a sensible, sisterly voice to Casey, who prefers “bad boys.” Five stars for director Heather Braaten and the County Stage ensemble, which earned a standing ovation at the close. To August 7. Tickets at County Stage.