←Recommendations of First Date 2099

A very interesting vision of the “future”. While comical in tone, it says something interesting about male female relations. It is a stunning play. Highly recommend.

I read this piece waiting for the punch line, the button; the twist... something that would tell me that Mike Byham's forecast for first contact in the not-too-distant future was going to end differently. But he plays his satire well, making each character believable and without a nod, wink, or nudge to the audience that this is all some dystopian joke. He's framed the situation within the cone of plausibility so that the outrageous -- and the scary -- seem benignly real. Take it from someone who's been on a lot of first dates, he's not far off.

Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous. This short play is an intricate story that follows two people in a ridiculous (at least to us in the present) situation that would make any dating app today seem benign. The dialogue is fast, funny, and smart and moves with a lightning pace. All I can say is it is wonderful. Bravo!

A very intriguing play that takes the concept of dating "rituals" to its extreme. A sci-fi play that doesn't need fancy effects, just a strong sense of theme and a fantastic what-if scenario. And it's really funny!

A funny play with an engaging concept! It's a rom-com meets Blade Runner with hilarious results. I would love to see this performed!

Instead of moving from the first base to the next, you authenticate the first contract and progress to the next! The year is 2099, and people date with defined contractual obligations. Mike Byham's "First Date 2099" is a brilliantly imaginative take on the future of dating. There are signs of scientific progress and hidden interpretations in a future society. Yet, the children break the rules, and people try to fall in love spontaneously, sorry, hasten the process of "activation of partnership." This is a witty, funny, and tremendously enjoyable play, especially relevant in the age of AI. Brilliantly done!

What's the next evolution of "online dating?" This heightened-language play explores one possibility through a look into one such date. So much of the humor in this script comes from what ISN'T said, providing opportunities for actors to tell the story that only exists between the lines. Furthermore, the stilted technical language brings this "romantic" scene right into the uncanny valley, where a whirlwind romance involves a lot of legal mumbo jumbo and contracts. It also brings up interesting ideas regarding consent, authenticity, and compatibility. Ultimately, this is a thought-provoking piece depicting a future that's not so unlike our present!

I found myself being drawn into the characters and the environment. Mike plays with abbreviated conversation but I found myself getting into it quickly. Loved the ending.

I'm not normally a science fiction aficionado, but Mike Byham has written a compelling little tour de force that yanked me right in. Although it is set far into the future, the interaction still reminded me eerily of what happens on a first date in today's world, and thus is the strength and irony of this masterful foray into a world where everything has to be validated and reasoned. There's so many clever moments in this. Especially now with AI capturing the headlines, Byham's play begs to be produced because it will make the audience think. And think.

It is a very enjoyable read! A fresh take on the differences between the sexes in general and the usual obstacles to achieve compatibility...