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| The First | |
|---|---|
 Broadway Playbill cover | |
| Music | Robert Brush |
| Lyrics | Martin Charnin |
| Book | Joel Siegel |
| Basis | Life ofJackie Robinson |
| Productions | 1981Broadway |
The First is amusical with a book by criticJoel Siegel. The music was composed byRobert Brush, andMartin Charnin wrote the lyrics. The show is based on the life ofBrooklyn Dodgers second basemanJackie Robinson, the first African-American to play major league baseball in the 20th century.
The musical premiered onBroadway at theMartin Beck Theatre on November 17, 1981 and closed on December 12, 1981 after 31 performances and 33 previews (although often erroneously reported as having 37 performances).[1] Charnin has said that despite "stellar reviews," the musical failed to secure one: that ofFrank Rich ofThe New York Times, "which at the time meant everything."[2] Directed by Charnin and choreographed by Alan Johnson, the original cast includedDavid Alan Grier as Jackie Robinson, andLonette McKee as his wife Rachel.
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| Year | Award ceremony | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Tony Award | Best Book of a Musical | Martin Charnin andJoel Siegel | Nominated |
| Best Featured Actor in a Musical | David Alan Grier | Nominated | ||
| Best Direction of a Musical | Martin Charnin | Nominated | ||
| Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical | Lonette McKee | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Set Design | David Chapman | Nominated | ||
| Theatre World Award | David Alan Grier | Won | ||
The First at theInternet Broadway Database
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