I have a confession to make. I am addicted to the show Blind Date. No, not the TV show with the corny thought bubbles, but the theatrical experience created by Calgary's Rebecca Northan. Having been part of the 2010 High Performance Rodeo, receiving rave reviews in Toronto, and a sold out run in New York City the show is now embarking on a North American tour. As a warm up, Calgarian understudies Julie Orton and Renee Amber are alternating nights doing the show this week, before Northan ends the run Saturday night. All shows take place at Loose Moose Theatre and the tour comes to Edmonton January 28th - February 19th at the Citadel Theatre.

The show's premise seems simple - Mimi the french clown has been stood up on a date and selects a man from the audience for a date. In reality it is an improvisational challenge between an actor and non-actor. When asked to be part of the show Orton jumped at the opportunity to step into Mimi's shoes (and nose).

"They are huge shoes to fill. I decided early on that there is absolutely no way I can go and produce the same kind of show that Rebecca does because we are so very different in how we perform and who we are. Blind Date is so much about bringing yourself out there. Once Rebecca, Rene and I decided we weren't going to mimic her and be ourselves, it took a lot of pressure off. It is a terrifying show especially for someone who comes from an acting background. I have hardly any improv experience so that aspect really terrified me. It is really difficult to rehearse for this show, our first nights out there last week was jumping into the deep end. We had no idea what to expect, we had never done a full show with a non-performer before. I have been in a constant state of fear and panic in the last couple of months, but now it is exciting and fun."

Orton spoke with GayCalgary & Edmonton Magazine after her second date ever, on September 3rd. Of the many challenges that come with the show, the first is picking the right man while mingling in the foyer before the show.

"The key is finding the right person. If they don't elicit some kind of reaction from you they aren't a good choice. I have only picked two people so far, and I picked them because they made eye contact with me and didn't seem frightened by a french clown approaching them. They were open and playful without being too eager, and seemed like really fascinating guys."

The show is entertaining but also an interesting study of people. Ryan, her 28 year old date on Saturday revealed early on that he had only kissed one girl, his fiancee who was sitting in the audience. How a sweet guy like him went so long without female interaction was a surprising mystery, which slowly unfolded as he spoke of spending time in Egypt while studying to be a youth pastor. Learning about and becoming attached to the person is a big part of the concept.

"Admittedly there was a lot more to Ryan that I could have uncovered and expanded on in his life. It is like when you are on a real first date with someone, you get these bits and pieces from the person as they get more comfortable and want to share with you. Every little bit that came out of Ryan, he started to become a whole for us. He was a little uncomfortable but you could understand why. For a guy who had only been with one woman that he was about to marry, the prospect of going on a play date with a french clown is terrifying. Every bit that came out shaped who he was for me and made it fun to explore the date with him."

It had it's challenges, especially as Ryan threw up a lot of blocks over the early part of the show.

"So many things rush through your mind, and since it was only my second time there were moments I had no idea which route to take with him. There were times he completely shut down, and you have to regroup and try an entirely different tactic. As I continue to do the show I will get more comfortable with trying different things. There is an initial moment of panic, how am I going to get us through this so it isn't a horrible experience for him and how can I continue to work him so the audience warms up to him as much as I am. It was a challenge on Saturday but also an incredible experience and show because you do get to know someone."

While her date Saturday night was reserved - a chaste kiss was as far as it went, some of Northan's past shows have gotten pretty steamy, something Orton says she is preparing for.

"It is hard to prepare for it, you can try and plan for every contingency but it really depends on the guy and the mood of the date. So far it hasn't gone past a simple kiss but I am not ruling out it going further because some guys are really playful and get caught up and have a lot of fun. That is the spirit of the show, anything can happen and I am keeping myself prepared for that."

A standout moment on the date with Ryan was when they were sharing some chocolates and Mimi encouraged him to be adventurous. He was hesitant but finally dropped his guard, stating, "Let's be adventurous. Open your mouth really wide." The audience lost it, and even Orton had to laugh.

"I had trouble coming back from that one. It was fantastic because it just tumbled out of his mouth and he obviously didn't mean it in that way, but because I am a pervert it completely went that way for me. That is part of the charm. You don't want Mimi laughing her head off the entire show but if something strikes me as funny or risqué or taboo I can comment on it because it's being honest. So I had a good laugh. I don't think he realized what he said right away which made him much more adorable."

In October, Blind Date will run in Denver with Northan and Amber, and in January the trio embark on a tour taking them to Winnipeg, De Moines, Edmonton, Cleveland and St. Paul. It will be Orton's first touring show and first time performing in the United States.

"I have no idea what to expect, whatever happens happens. I am looking forward to being part of a touring show for the first time, and performing in places they have no idea who I am. These first couple of shows I have had great support from the theatre community and family and friends in the audience which is always nice. It will be nice to perform a show that can be quite intimate in front of people that don't know who you are. I am looking forward to experiencing Blind Date in an entirely different way."

The sky is the limit for the show. This is likely the last time it will be in a venue like Loose Moose, as the show continues to gain acclaim and popularity. Regardless of where it takes her, Orton is grateful for the challenge and opportunity.

"Without a doubt this is the biggest thing I have ever done. Right now I am not thinking about what it could do for my career, just how it will make me better as a performer. It has already challenged me in ways I haven't been challenged before and is the most difficult thing I have ever done and it will always challenge me which will make me a better performer."