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The First

Closing: December 12, 1981

The First - 1981 Broadway History , Info & More


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THE FOUR SEASONS Renewed for Season 3 at Netflix
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 15, 2026


Netflix is bringing back the popular comedy series The Four Seasons for an eight-episode third season. The series hails from Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield and is based on the 1981 Alan Alda film.

THE NORMAL HEART 1993 Benefit Reading With Barbra Streisand, Kevin Bacon to Get First Digital Release
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2026


Simon & Schuster Audio will release the 1993 Broadway benefit reading of Larry Kramer's THE NORMAL HEART on digital audio for the first time, featuring Kevin Bacon, Stockard Channing, Harry Hamlin, and a rare stage appearance by Barbra Streisand.

North/South Chamber Orchestra to Close 46th Season With Works by Living Composers
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 10, 2026


The North/South Chamber Orchestra will conclude its 46th consecutive season with a free concert featuring works by composers from France, the Czech Republic, and the United States at Christ & St. Stephen's Church in New York.

Broadway 2026/27: Season Preview: Upcoming Premieres and Star-Studded Revivals
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 13, 2026


2026 is halfway over, which means that the 2026/27 Broadway season has just begun! Now that the 79th Annual Tony Awards have concluded, all eyes are already on the lineup for the new Broadway season and many Broadway productions have already revealed full details of their upcoming engagements.

ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW Original Cast Spooktacular Tour is Coming to Patchogue Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 9, 2026


Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts announced a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, featuring original 'Magenta' actress Patricia Quinn, with a live shadow cast, costume contest, and VIP meet-and-greet available.

SATYRICON to Make World Premiere at SF Eagle Bar This Summer
by Stephi Wild - Jun 9, 2026


Stuart Bousel's SATYRICON, directed by Andrew Calabrese, will make its world premiere at San Francisco's historic Eagle Bar, marking the first fully produced show by the newly formed Eagle Players.

Philadelphia Orchestra Presents 2026 C. Hartman Kuhn Award to Bassist Nathaniel West
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2026


The Philadelphia Orchestra honored bassist Nathaniel West with the 2026 C. Hartman Kuhn Award, while three retiring musicians with 115 combined years of service and two 50-year veterans were also recognized.

Prince Compilation Album to Feature Rare and Unreleased Tracks from Music Icon
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 4, 2026


The Prince Estate is opening up the recording vault of the beloved musician. Through a partnership with Sony's Legacy Recordings, a new compilation album will be released featuring 10 rare and unreleased studio recordings from the late music icon. 

Ensemble Theatre of Cleveland to Present 2026-2027 Season With World Premiere and Cleveland Debuts
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 3, 2026


Ensemble Theatre of Cleveland announced its upcoming season, featuring a World Premiere, two Cleveland Premieres, and a revival, including Jez Butterworth's THE FERRYMAN and Seamus Heaney's THE BURIAL AT THEBES.

Classic American Tales To Present Tales at the Dormer House
by Marissa Faith Curley - May 30, 2026


Classic American Tales (CAT) will present Tales at the Dormer House in which guests are treated to lemonade and tasty treats while listening to stories written by noteworthy authors, read by a variety of performers.

WHO WE BECOME to Return to New York With Lanford Wilson One-Acts
by A.A. Cristi - May 28, 2026


Deep Flight Productions will present an encore engagement of WHO WE BECOME, a program of rarely produced Lanford Wilson one-acts, at Factory Series at the Chain Studio Theatre in New York.

LOVESONG to Star Karen Allen and David Garrison at Berkshire Theatre Group
by A.A. Cristi - May 26, 2026


Karen Allen and David Garrison will lead Berkshire Theatre Group's production of LOVESONG, Abi Morgan's drama spanning decades of marriage, directed by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Auburn at The Unicorn Theatre.

Review: Harry Connick Jr. Fulfills a Dream at Carnegie Hall
by Gregory Fletcher - May 25, 2026


The sold-out show featured the premiere of BABE: ELABORATIO, a symphony dedicated to Connick's mother, whose lifelong dream was for her son to perform at Carnegie Hall

Wilma Theater Names Lindsay Smiling as Sole Artistic Director
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2026


Philadelphia's Tony Award-winning Wilma Theater announced Lindsay Smiling as its sole Artistic Director, transitioning from his Co-Artistic Director role to lead the company alongside Managing Director Leigh Goldenberg.

Quinta Brunson to Star in New Betty Boop Film Reimagining
by Josh Sharpe - May 20, 2026


Betty Boop, the iconic cartoon character that was recently brought to the stage in Boop! The Musical, is receiving a new cinematic treatment from Quinta Brunson. 

Photos: Erika Henningsen, Colman Domingo, & More at THE FOUR SEASONS Season 2 Premiere
by Josh Sharpe - May 20, 2026


On Tuesday, May 19th, Netflix celebrated the premiere of The Four Seasons Season 2 with a red carpet event, featuring Erika Henningsen, Colman Domingo, Tina Fey, and more in attendance. Check out photos here.

ARMAGEDDON, GLORY, APOLLO 13, and NATIONAL TREASURE Set for Bilheimer Capitol Theatre Summer Classic Movies Series
by A.A. Cristi - May 15, 2026


The Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre will present its Summer Classic Movie Series, featuring films including ARMAGEDDON, GLORY, APOLLO 13, and MIRACLE, celebrating America's 250th birthday.

CHICAGO Original Broadway Cast Recording Joins National Recording Registry
by Stephi Wild - May 14, 2026


Broadway’s original cast album of “Chicago” is among the selections joining the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2026. Learn more about the full list here!

How to Watch 2026 Tony Award Nominees at Home: THE LOST BOYS, SCHMIGADOON! & More
by Josh Sharpe - May 16, 2026


The nominations are here for the 2026 Tony Awards. This year, a high number of titles have onscreen counterparts, and we have rounded up how to watch these versions at home, from The Lost Boys to Schmigadoon!

Dik Downey Will Make Fringe Debut With DON QUIXOTE (IS A VERY BIG BOOK)
by Stephi Wild - May 12, 2026


Puppeteer and clown Dik Downey makes his Edinburgh Fringe debut at 63 with DON QUIXOTE (IS A VERY BIG BOOK), a one-man show at the Pleasance Dome blending slapstick, puppetry, and Cervantes' 939-page novel into 55 minutes.

Review: GET DOWN TONIGHT: CLASSIC FUNK at Signature Theatre
by Roger Catlin - May 9, 2026


The current production ,“Get Down Tonight: Classic Funk,” is a engaging array of familiar songs from the 60s and 70s that didn’t have any trouble getting people to clap along, and a few to eventually get up and groove.

Jerry Seinfeld to Return to Beacon Theatre With New Comedy
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 8, 2026


Jerry Seinfeld is returning to New York's Beacon Theatre with all-new comedy, adding to his record-breaking residency that began in 2016. He currently holds the record for most comedy shows at the venue with 133 lifetime performances.

Segal Center Film Festival to Spotlight Theater Artist Robert Wilson
by Josh Sharpe - May 5, 2026


The tenth edition of its Segal Center Film Festival on Theatre and Performance will include a retrospective of films by and about theater artist Robert Wilson. Learn more about the upcoming program and film lineup.

GISELLE to Close Olympic Ballet Theatre 45th Anniversary Season
by A.A. Cristi - May 4, 2026


Olympic Ballet Theatre will present GISELLE at Edmonds Center for the Arts, with 21-year-old trainee Yasmin Arafe stepping into the title role for two performances only.

A History of Musicals About Friendship
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - May 10, 2026


Friendship is nearly always a side element in musicals. From the comic sidekick of the leading character to the backup pals who provide background vocals, friends are part of the fabric of many shows—but rarely are they the main event. 

The First History

Other Productions of The First

1981   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway

The First - 1981 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
The First — awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1982 Theatre World Awards Performance David Alan Grier

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