The First
MusicalOriginalBroadway
Opening Date
Nov 17, 1981
Closing Date
Dec 13, 1981
1st Preview
Oct 19, 1981
1st Preview
Oct 19, 1981
Previews
33
Performances
31
MusicalOriginalBroadway
External Links
Shop
Open Date: Nov 17, 1981
Close Date: Dec 13, 1981
Closed Flag: n
Is Final Week:
ABOUT THIS PRODUCTION
Setting
Between August, 1945 and September, 1947.
Comments
The performance count for this production is often erroneously reported as 37; it indeed had 31 performances.
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PeopleTheatre Owned / Operated by Jujamcyn Theaters (under the direction of Richard G. Wolff, President)Produced by Zev Bufman, Neil Bogart, Michael Harvey and Peter A. Bobley; Associate Producer: Roger LubyBook by Joel Siegel; Music by Bob Brush; Lyrics by Martin Charnin; Written in collaboration with Martin Charnin; Music orchestrated by Luther Henderson; Dance arrangements by Luther Henderson; Vocal arrangements by Joyce BrownDirected by Martin Charnin; Choreographed by Alan JohnsonScenic Design by David Chapman; Costume Design by Carrie Robbins; Lighting Design by Marc B. Weiss; Sound Design by Louis ShapiroGeneral Manager: Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd.; Company Manager: James G. MennenProduction Stage Manager: Peter Lawrence; Stage Manager: Jim Woolley; Assistant Stage Mgr: David Blackwell and Sarah Whitham; Technical Director: Arthur SiccardiMusical Conductor: Mark Hummel; Musical Supervisor: Luther Henderson; Score published by MPL Communications, Inc.; Music Contractor: Ted Sommer and Martin Grupp; Woodwinds: William Slapin, Edward Salkin, Robert Magnuson, Mauricio Smith and Frank Santagata; Trumpet: Francis Bonny, Jimmy Owens and Leo Ball; Trombone: Jim Pugh, Keith O'Quinn and Garfield Fobbs; Percussion: Richard Brown ; Horn: Greg Williams; Cello: Anne Callahan; Drums: Dennis Mackrel; Guitar: Bernard Grobman ; Bass: William StanleyAuthentic baseball gloves and catcher's mitt loaned by Barry HalperConsultant: Rachel Robinson; Dance Captain: Steven Boockvor; General Press Representative: Fred Nathan & Associates; Advertising: Ash / LeDonne; Casting: Simon & Kumin Casting, Inc.; Photographer: Martha SwopeEquipment ManagerPassengerCuban ReporterFanDodger CoachBrian WaterhouseEddie StankyBrooklyn TrainerReds FanPittsburgh PiratePassengerA Girl at the BarDodger WifeHilda ChesterBuckyRedcapFanMinisterDr. JohnsonUmpireTrainerPhiladelphia ReporterDodger RookieBrooklyn Eagle PhotographerPittsburgh PirateDodger CoachSheriffPhiladelphia ReporterFanOpalon the leftA Girl at the BarDodger WifeFanRubyon the rightPassengerPee Wee ReeseHatrack HarrisPassengerCuban ReporterFanMinisterPassengerReds FanMinisterUnderstudies: Steven Boockvor (Casey Higgins), Bill Buell (Clyde Sukeforth), Stephen Crain (Pee Wee Reese), Michael Edward-Stevens (Junkyard Jones), Margaret Lamée (Eunice, Hilda Chester), Jacqueline Lowe (Rachel Isum, Cool Minnie's Girl), Rodney Saulsberry (Jackie Robinson), Sam Stoneburner (Noonan), Paul Cook Tartt (Cool Minnie) and George D. Wallace (Branch Rickey)
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Songsmusic by Bob Brush; lyrics by Martin CharninAct 1Sung ByJack Roosevelt RobinsonBranch Rickey and Leo DurocherThe National PastimeCool Minnie, Jackie Robinson, Junkyard Jones and The MonarchsWill We Ever Know Each OtherJackie Robinson and Rachel IsumThe FirstJackie RobinsonBloatLeo Durocher and Reporters and The DodgersIt Ain't Gonna WorkCasey Higgins, Clyde Sukeforth and The DodgersThe Brooklyn Dodger StrikeRickey and DurocherJack Roosevelt Robinson (Reprise)RickeyThe First (Reprise)Rachel IsumAct 2Sung ByIs This Year Next Year?Noonan, Eunice, Huey, Frog and SorrentinoYou Do-Do-Do-It GoodCool Minnie, Jackie Robinson, The Monarchs, Ruby and OpalIs This Year Next Year? (Reprise)Branch Rickey, Holmes, The Reporters, Clyde Sukeforth and The DodgersThere Are Days and There Are DaysRachel IsumIt's A BeginningJackie Robinson, Branch Rickey and Rachel IsumThe Opera Ain't OverNoonan, The Regulars, All the Dodgers, Branch Rickey, Hilda Chester and The Fans
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Awards
Tony Award®
Best Book of a Musical
Best Featured Actor in a Musical
1982 Nominee
David Alan GrierBest Direction of a Musical
1982 Nominee
Directed by Martin CharninDrama Desk Award
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
1982 Nominee
Lonette McKeeOutstanding Set Design
1982 Nominee
Scenic Design by David Chapman -
Statistics
Week Ending Gross % Gross Pot. Attendance % Capacity # Previews # Perf. Statistics supplied are courtesy of The Broadway League.
Theatre Owned / Operated by Jujamcyn Theaters (under the direction of Richard G. Wolff, President)
Produced by Zev Bufman, Neil Bogart, Michael Harvey and Peter A. Bobley; Associate Producer: Roger Luby
Book by Joel Siegel; Music by Bob Brush; Lyrics by Martin Charnin; Written in collaboration with Martin Charnin; Music orchestrated by Luther Henderson; Dance arrangements by Luther Henderson; Vocal arrangements by Joyce Brown
Directed by Martin Charnin; Choreographed by Alan Johnson
Scenic Design by David Chapman; Costume Design by Carrie Robbins; Lighting Design by Marc B. Weiss; Sound Design by Louis Shapiro
General Manager: Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd.; Company Manager: James G. Mennen
Production Stage Manager: Peter Lawrence; Stage Manager: Jim Woolley; Assistant Stage Mgr: David Blackwell and Sarah Whitham; Technical Director: Arthur Siccardi
Musical Conductor: Mark Hummel; Musical Supervisor: Luther Henderson; Score published by MPL Communications, Inc.; Music Contractor: Ted Sommer and Martin Grupp; Woodwinds: William Slapin, Edward Salkin, Robert Magnuson, Mauricio Smith and Frank Santagata; Trumpet: Francis Bonny, Jimmy Owens and Leo Ball; Trombone: Jim Pugh, Keith O'Quinn and Garfield Fobbs; Percussion: Richard Brown ; Horn: Greg Williams; Cello: Anne Callahan; Drums: Dennis Mackrel; Guitar: Bernard Grobman ; Bass: William Stanley
Authentic baseball gloves and catcher's mitt loaned by Barry Halper
Consultant: Rachel Robinson; Dance Captain: Steven Boockvor; General Press Representative: Fred Nathan & Associates; Advertising: Ash / LeDonne; Casting: Simon & Kumin Casting, Inc.; Photographer: Martha Swope
Equipment Manager
Passenger
Cuban Reporter
Fan
Dodger Coach
Brian Waterhouse
Eddie Stanky
Brooklyn Trainer
Reds Fan
Pittsburgh Pirate
Passenger
A Girl at the Bar
Dodger Wife
Hilda Chester
Bucky
Redcap
Fan
Minister
Dr. Johnson
Umpire
Trainer
Philadelphia Reporter
Dodger Rookie
Brooklyn Eagle Photographer
Pittsburgh Pirate
Dodger Coach
Sheriff
Philadelphia Reporter
Fan
Opal
on the left
A Girl at the Bar
Dodger Wife
Fan
Ruby
on the right
Passenger
Pee Wee Reese
Hatrack Harris
Passenger
Cuban Reporter
Fan
Minister
Passenger
Reds Fan
Minister
Understudies:
Steven Boockvor
(Casey Higgins), Bill Buell
(Clyde Sukeforth), Stephen Crain
(Pee Wee Reese), Michael Edward-Stevens
(Junkyard Jones), Margaret Lamée
(Eunice, Hilda Chester), Jacqueline Lowe
(Rachel Isum, Cool Minnie's Girl), Rodney Saulsberry
(Jackie Robinson), Sam Stoneburner
(Noonan), Paul Cook Tartt
(Cool Minnie) and George D. Wallace
(Branch Rickey)
music by Bob Brush; lyrics by Martin Charnin
Act 1
Sung By
Jack Roosevelt Robinson
Branch Rickey and Leo Durocher
The National Pastime
Cool Minnie, Jackie Robinson, Junkyard Jones and The Monarchs
Will We Ever Know Each Other
Jackie Robinson and Rachel Isum
The First
Jackie Robinson
Bloat
Leo Durocher and Reporters and The Dodgers
It Ain't Gonna Work
Casey Higgins, Clyde Sukeforth and The Dodgers
The Brooklyn Dodger Strike
Rickey and Durocher
Jack Roosevelt Robinson
(Reprise)
Rickey
The First
(Reprise)
Rachel Isum
Act 2
Sung By
Is This Year Next Year?
Noonan, Eunice, Huey, Frog and Sorrentino
You Do-Do-Do-It Good
Cool Minnie, Jackie Robinson, The Monarchs, Ruby and Opal
Is This Year Next Year?
(Reprise)
Branch Rickey, Holmes, The Reporters, Clyde Sukeforth and The Dodgers
There Are Days and There Are Days
Rachel Isum
It's A Beginning
Jackie Robinson, Branch Rickey and Rachel Isum
The Opera Ain't Over
Noonan, The Regulars, All the Dodgers, Branch Rickey, Hilda Chester and The Fans
Tony Award®
Best Book of a Musical
Best Featured Actor in a Musical
1982 Nominee
David Alan Grier
David Alan Grier
Best Direction of a Musical
1982 Nominee
Directed by Martin Charnin
Directed by Martin Charnin
Drama Desk Award
Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical
1982 Nominee
Lonette McKee
Lonette McKee
Outstanding Set Design
1982 Nominee
Scenic Design by David Chapman
Scenic Design by David Chapman
| Week Ending | Gross | % Gross Pot. | Attendance | % Capacity | # Previews | # Perf. |
|---|
Statistics supplied are courtesy of The Broadway League.
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