The First 1981

Opened: November 17, 1981
Closing: December 12, 1981

The First - 1981 - Broadway History , Info & More

Martin Beck Theatre
302 W. 45th St. New York, NY 10036

Fictionalized account of the life of Jackie Robinson.


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Buck Creek Playhouse to Present INTO THE WOODS in June
by Blair Ingenthron - May 25, 2024


Buck Creek Players will present the final show of our 50th season with this musical on our mainstage. Join us for the eight live in-person performances at the playhouse starting Friday, June 14th and running through Sunday, June 23rd. 

Review: INDIANA JONES & RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK IN CONCERT, Royal Albert Hall
by Aliya Al-Hassan - May 26, 2024


In 1973 George Lucas wrote a story titled “The Adventures of Indiana Smith”, inspired by the adventure films of the 1930s and 1940s. While on holiday with Steven Spielberg, Lucas pitched his story, and convinced him to direct a trilogy of films. Spielberg suggested that the surname was changed to Jones and the rest is history. Simply known as Raiders of the Lost Ark when it was originally released, the film features an incredible score by the great John Williams.

Contemporary Dance Series At Bryant Park Picnic Performances Beginning June 6
by A.A. Cristi - May 23, 2024


Discover the Contemporary Dance Series at Bryant Park Picnic Performances starting June 6, featuring Ayodele Casel, David Dorfman Dance, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Mark Morris Dance Group, and more.

MEPHISTO Continues at the National Theatre in Prague Through March 2025
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2024


A stage adaptation of the famous “career novel”, fascinating for its precise psychological study of a relentless pursuit of fame and the fate of the unscrupulous main character, who voluntarily sells his soul to the regime and the opportunistic society in return for his success as an actor. A story about love for art, obsession with theatre and the lure of golden portals. Above all, it is a cautionary tale about an actor who took acting as the role of his life.

Games, Books, and Collectables Belonging to Stephen Sondheim Will Be Auctioned in June
by Nicole Rosky - May 23, 2024


Memorabilia includes his gold record for West Side Story, custom-embroidered asylum coat from Sweeney Todd and more, including antiques of the Victorian and Edwardian as well as early puzzles, games, rebuses, coin-operated machines and more.

The Wilma Theater in Philadelphia Receives 2024 Regional Theatre Tony Award
by Stephi Wild - May 22, 2024


The Wilma Theater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has been announced as the recipient of the 2024 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The honor recognizes a regional theatre company that has displayed a continuous level of artistic achievement contributing to the growth of theatre nationally.

Review: JERRY'S GIRLS, Menier Chocolate Factory
by Louise Penn - May 23, 2024


Deeply mining the scores of four musicals Jerry Herman is best known for (Hello, Dolly, Mame, Mack & Mabel, La Cage Aux Folles), with a handful from others like Dear World and Parade, this will appeal to Herman devotees and musical generalists alike.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD to Become 5th Longest Running Play in Broadway History
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 21, 2024


HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD becomes the 5th longest-running play in Broadway history. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

How Often Do Shows Tour Before Coming to Broadway?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 26, 2024


This time, the reader question was: How often do shows like The Wiz start on tour before coming to Broadway?

Symphony San Jose to Present Season-Closing Program with Nakamatsu and Shimono in June
by Blair Ingenthron - May 18, 2024


Symphony San Jose will present REMEMBER THE TITANS on Saturday, June 1 2024 at 7:30pm and Sunday, June 2, 2024 at 2:30pm at The California Theatre.

New Jersey Theatre Alliance Announces 2024 Career Accelerator Program Fellows
by A.A. Cristi - May 17, 2024


New Jersey Theatre Alliance ('the Alliance'), has announced their second annual cohort of Career Accelerator Fellows: Ronni Hom, Alisha Sheth, and Asia Todd.

NJPAC 2024-25 Dance Season Will Include Momix, Alvin Ailey, Malevo, and More
by Stephi Wild - May 15, 2024


NJPAC has announced its 2024-25 Dance Season. Learn more about the lineup here!

New York City Opera to Celebrate 100 Years Of Puccini As Part Of Bryant Park Picnic Performances
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 14, 2024


Join the New York City Opera for a Puccini Celebration, honoring the 100th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini's passing. Learn more!

Cameron Carpenter and Vitamin String Quartet Come to Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2024


 Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts has announced the latest additions to the Kauffman Center Presents fall 2024 line-up. Learn more about the upcoming shows here!

Singer, Songwriter, Actor Ed Bruce Honored With Posthumous Album, AFTER HOURS
by Blair Ingenthron - May 12, 2024


Ed Bruce's previously unreleased songs can be heard for the first time on AFTER HOURS, a 16-track album from Music Row Talent Records (MRT) and Old Hat Productions, a creative partnership formed by Bruce and two of his songwriter friends, Mike Morgan and Jeff Elliott.

Jerry Seinfeld Adds Additional Shows To Beacon Theatre Residency
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 10, 2024


Catch the latest update on Jerry Seinfeld's record-breaking Beacon Theatre residency as he adds more shows to his line-up. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Lindsay Buckingham to Release '20th Century Lindsey' Vinyl Boxed Set
by Josh Sharpe - May 8, 2024


20th Century Lindsey will be available on June 14 from Rhino as a 4-LP set and digitally as well as a 4-LP set exclusively sold on Rhino.com & LindseyBuckingham.com. A 4-CD set will be released later this year in August. Listen to a new track available now!

FALCON GIRLS World Premiere & More Set for Yale Repertory Theatre 2024-25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 8, 2024


Yale Repertory Theatre has revealed its 2024–25 season of five productions. Learn more about the season and see how to purchase tickets.

Photo: See Bette Midler, Megan Mullally, and More in First Look at THE FABULOUS FOUR
by Josh Sharpe - May 7, 2024


Bleeker Street has just dropped a first-look image of the upcoming film The Fabulous Four, featuring Tony-Award winner Bette Midler, Tony-nominated Sheryl Lee Ralph, Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon, and Emmy-Award winner Megan Mullally. Take a look at the photo here, which includes Midler in wedding garb!

2024 Paley Honors to Recognize Michael R. Bloomberg, Ron Howard, and Faiza J. Saeed
by Josh Sharpe - May 6, 2024


The Paley Center for Media has the esteemed list of honorees for its 2024 Paley Honors. This annual New York gala celebration will salute visionary leaders from across media, entertainment, and business including Michael R. Bloomberg, Ron Howard, and Faiza J. Saeed. This illustrious event will take place on Thursday, June 13 at 6:30 pm at Cipriani 42nd Street.

QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL Coming to Disney+; First Concert Film Available in IMAX Enhanced Sound
by Josh Sharpe - May 2, 2024


Following its record-breaking success as the most successful IMAX concert film ever, “Queen Rock Montreal” will make its global streaming premiere May 15th on Disney+ as the first concert film available in IMAX Enhanced sound. “Queen Rock Montreal” presents Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon at their most exciting and exhilarating.

Dance NOW! Miami Goes Pop For Program III This Month
by Stephi Wild - May 2, 2024


Dance NOW! Miami will present its Program III, Friday, May 17, at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts Amaturo Theater, and Saturday, May 18, at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, both at 8 pm.

TICK, TICK... BOOM! to be Presented at New Conservatory Theatre Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 1, 2024


New Conservatory Theatre Center will bring tick, tick... BOOM! to the NCTC stage this May.

The Martha Graham School Will Host Teens Dance Graham Program This Month
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2024


The Teens Dance Graham program will feature some of Martha Graham's great modernist innovations in performances by the Teens@Graham in Our Own American Document and Panorama, students from LaGuardia High School in Ritual to the Sun, and Graham 2 in Heretic.

Review: NORA at Antaeus Theatre Company
by Harker Jones - May 1, 2024


The problem with NORA is that in the longer, three-act running time of “A Doll’s House,” Nora’s world and its inhabitants would be fleshed out so that they had depth that is not evident in this adaptation.

Other Productions of The First

1981   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway

The First - 1981 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical Lonette McKee
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Set Design David Chapman
1982 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Set Design David Chapman
1982 The Hewes Awards Scenic Design David Chapman

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