BY MICHAEL SOMMERS

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

You expect surprises when meeting somebody new, but seeing the new Broadway musical “First Date” is rather like pleasantly encountering an old friend at the Longacre Theater.

Humorously detailing the Manhattan dating scene through a dinner date between nice, awkward Aaron and arty, cool Casey, this nimble little musical comfortably invokes experiences that many people have shared in similar situations.

Stepping on familiar land mines of getting-to-know-you exchanges soon causes Aaron and Casey to go into what-am-I-doing-here spasms. The phantoms of former flames duly materialize as does Aaron’s grandma upon learning that Casey is a shiksa (and a hora erupts in which “oy” and “goy” are the chief rhymes).  His best friend offers advice. Her married sister ditto. Casey’s queen-y BFF repeatedly calls to check how the evening is going.  And so forth, through their dilemma of who’s paying the check.

Aside from a clever number about personal information perils (“The World Wide Web is Forever”), the book by Austin Winsberg and the score by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner present little material that is fresh -- let alone edgy -- in content.  City slickers may well find the more emotional bits to be cloying.

Nonetheless the musical proves to be mighty entertaining along the same humorous lines of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” in that its familiar middle-of-the-road material is brightly rendered through solid craftsmanship, several doses of sentiment and a smart production.

Winsberg’s book rolls out plenty of gaffes and gags that mesh smoothly with the energetic and upbeat score by Zachary and Weiner.  Their lively music covers a range of pop styles and their lyrics are neatly turned.  Shiny orchestrations by August Eriksmoen for six musicians lend luster to the light score, as do the vocal arrangements by Dominick Amendum.

The most exciting thing about “First Date” is the pleasing Broadway debut of Zachary Levi, best known as the title figure on the NBC series “Chuck.”  Looking like a hip version of Dennis the Menace’s dad, Levi gives the semi-bumbling Aaron a good heart and an appealing earnestness. Levi sings well, moves easily and makes something tasty of his white bread character. Late of TV’s “Smash,” Krysta Rodriguez wryly depicts the guarded Casey as a brittle character who gradually softens in Aaron’s amiable presence.

Five more actors energetically portray restaurant customers as well as plenty of others. Among their various incarnations, Blake Hammond beams as a benevolent waiter, Kristoffer Cusick rages through several hissy-fits as the gay BFF, Kate Loprest makes for an icy b-buster as Aaron’s ex-fiancee, Sara Chase serves nicely as three maternal figures and Bryce Ryness looks sharp as a couple of bad boys. Designer David C. Woolard’s nifty costumes assist the ensemble’s quick transformations.

This small-scaled musical is attractively designed by David Gallo with glossy, airy surroundings that are energized by Mike Baldassari’s colorful lighting. Josh Rhodes’s modest choreography occasionally busts a funny move. An intermission-free 90 minutes, the production is a slick one thanks to director Bill Berry, who wisely cultivates a strong sense of emotional sincerity in the performances by Levi and Rodriguez.

“First Date” continues at the Longacre Theater, 220 W. 48th St., New York. Call (212) 239-6200 or visit www.firstdatethemusical.com.