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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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.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld April 30, 2024
by - Apr 30, 2024


Happy Tony Award nominations day, BroadwayWorld! It is April 30, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours: 

2024 Tony Awards Nominations- Live Reactions
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 30, 2024


The nominations for the 77th Annual Tony Awards were announced this morning by Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Renée Elise Goldsberry. Follow us throughout the day, as we'll bring you Tony nominee reactions!

Video: Miró Quartet Releases New Music Video 'Over The Rainbow'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 26, 2024


Discover the MIRÓ QUARTET's tribute to their hometown of Austin in their latest music video, OVER THE RAINBOW.

New Conservatory Theatre Center's High School Performance Ensemble Will Perform THE GIVER
by Stephi Wild - Apr 25, 2024


This April, New Conservatory Theatre Center's High School Performance Ensemble will present The Giver by Eric Coble. Adapted from the Newbery Award-winning novel by Lois Lowry, and directed by NCTC Education Director Stephanie Temple, this thought-provoking drama offers introspection and heart.

Interview: Norm Lewis Battles Wits with Seth Rudetsky During One-Highter at The Wallis
by Gil Kaan - Apr 23, 2024


Broadway @ The Wallis concert series, this time featuring Seth Rudetsky and Norm Lewis, returns for its final curtain of the 2023/2024 Season May 2, 2024, at The Wallis. Expect an evening of loads of Broadway trivia from Seth coupled with the melodious vocals of Norm.  Amidst his busy schedule, Norm found some time to again answer a few of my queries.

San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra Celebrates Music Director Daniel Stewart In His Final Concert This May
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 22, 2024


Join the SF Symphony Youth Orchestra as they honor Music Director Daniel Stewart in his final concert on May 19. Celebrate the end of an era with stunning performances and heartfelt tributes.

Interview: Meredith Shedden of FALSETTOS at The Annex Theatre
by Ilana Lucas - Apr 20, 2024


BroadwayWorld spoke to Meredith Shedden, Bowtie Productions’ AD and the production’s director, about the joys of working with the quirky cult favourite musical.

Jason Alexander to Star in Lonny Price-Helmed FIDDLER ON THE ROOF at La Mirada
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 18, 2024


Jason Alexander and more will be starring in Fiddler on the Roof at La Mirada Theatre. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

New Conservatory Theatre Center Announces RIDE THE CYCLONE And More for 2024-25 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 17, 2024


Discover the exciting 2024-25 season at New Conservatory Theatre Center, featuring six captivating productions.

BMCC to Present PECONG At The Tribeca Performing Arts Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 17, 2024


Explore the tale of love, betrayal, and redemption in Steven Carter's electrifying play, PECONG, presented by BMCC at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Stephen Sondheim's Connecticut Home Sells for $3.25 Million
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2024


The home of late Broadway icon Stephen Sondheim, which BroadwayWorld previously reported was for sale, has sold for $3.25 million. Learn more!

Are There Many Musicals About the Same Subject?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Apr 21, 2024


This time, the reader question was: With The Great Gatsby musicals happening now, are there other examples of musicals about the same subject?

Interview: Dylan Brody of THINKING ALLOWED
by Jeanmarie Simpson - Apr 17, 2024


For decades, the multiple award-winning storyteller, humorist, playwright, and bestselling author, Dylan Brody, has honed his unique voice, blending insightful observations with sharp wit and a touch of the absurd to earn him a devoted following and the respect of comedic legends including the late Robin Williams and George Carlin.

New York City Ballet Unveils 2024-25 Season Featuring 58 Ballets
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2024


New York City Ballet has revealed its 2024-25 season. See the productions and learn how to purchase tickets!

Pianist Ian Hobson Will Continue Robert Schumann Cycle at Tenri Cultural Institute Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Apr 12, 2024


The immensely versatile and internationally lauded pianist and conductor Ian Hobson, whose playing has been described by Gramophone as 'intensely alive to expressive nuance, textural clarity, and elastic shaping,' will continue his celebrated Robert Schumann Cycle with a solo piano recital on Friday evening, May 3, 2024, 7 p.m.

Leading Ballet Stars Come Together For Debut Of World Ballet Festival
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 11, 2024


Join the world's top ballet stars as they come together for the inaugural World Ballet Festival.

Over 200 Lots of Stephen Sondheim Memorabilia to be Auctioned Off in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 11, 2024


 Doyle will be auctioning the Collection of Stephen Sondheim on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10am. Learn more about the auction and about Stephen Sondheim.

National Gallery Launches National Sculpture Garden Landscape Design Competition
by Stephi Wild - Apr 11, 2024


The National Gallery of Australia’s iconic sculpture garden is set to undergo a $60 million revitalisation with the launch of the Sculpture Garden Design Competition today.

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC And More Announced for Mainstage Irving-las Colinas 2024-2025 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 8, 2024


Discover the exciting new 24-25 season lineup from MainStage Irving-Las Colinas. Get a sneak peek into the captivating performances and theatrical experiences that await you this season.

Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga Will Lead STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS in LA and on Broadway
by Joshua Wright - Apr 8, 2024


Center Theatre Group (CTG) announced today the North American premiere of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters (Gypsy, Annie Get Your Gun) and Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Here Lies Love), and directed by Sir Matthew Bourne (Swan Lake, My Fair Lady), playing at the Ahmanson Theatre from February 8—March 9, 2025. 

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