The food is fine, the cornbread is great and the show is excellent.
Maybe your friend can sit in the room and enjoy lunchable while you go to the show?
We just did HDDR on our very first Disney trip last week. The girls loved it - they are 5 and 10 - and hubby and I thought it was yes corny but cute. Girls loved the chicken and mashed potatoes, hubby and I were happy with the food and the service was great. A really fun family night.