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Years ago, while teaching college courses in the History of American Musical Theatre, my research exposed numerous instances of innovation in the art form (“this was the first time…”) as theatrical technologies, along with musical styles and forms, evolved. I began to “collect” such phrases, which later included people, theatrical venues and other occasional oddities, into the collection and organized the data chronologically. |
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At this site, we focus on historical firsts. Innovation creates history, and this is a collection of innovative events, decisions and inventions. Among other things, the collection includes initial appearances of popular shows, songs and performers. Here, you’ll find descriptions of theatrical firsts in America from 1665 to 2000. Each “historical first” appears in bold type. |
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Generally, the New York opening is considered the finished form of any work (even if subsequent changes occur during the New York run). For the sake of maintaining some historical perspective, this site covers events through the 1999-2000 season. |
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Ongoing additions to the site include textual entries and pictures of people and theatrical venues. One project will soon offer links to audio files of songs in the public domain; other improvements may occur as they are invented or suggested. |
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We owe much to those who have assisted in the development and presentation of this material. Please see our “Cast & Crew” page. To everyone who appears there, I offer my deepest thanks. |
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Perhaps you will find something here that will initiate your own research. You might want to have an item considered for inclusion at the site (if so, please contact me). You might wish to correct an error that you find here (if so, by all means contact me). You may even find items that will pique your curiosity and motivate you to seek answers. We hope that this site will bring you closer to the theatrical art form that has proven time and again to be our most beloved: the musical. |
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Wayne Hamilton, MFA 2009 |
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Thank you for visiting FirstOnStage.com, a web site that was literally decades in the making. We hope you find the information here useful in your classes, in your research or in exercising your intellectual curiosity. If so, we hope you’ll make a donation to help support FirstOnStage. This information comes to you quickly and easily without the cost of expensive textbooks or hours of searching for the proverbial needle in the digital haystack. Your gift will enable site developers to provide ongoing enhancements, including additional textual content, pictures and audio files. PayPal will safely and securely process the transaction. Thanks for your interest and your generous support! |
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In January of 1947, Finian's Rainbow opened on Broadway. It has been said that this was the first musical to tackle racism with laughter (part of the plot involves a leprechaun who changes a white congressman from the South into a negro). It was definitely the first musical with a racially integrated chorus. The score was by Composer Burton Lane and lyricist E.Y. 'Yip' Harburg. Hits from the show included "That Old Devil Moon," and "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" As the leprechaun, David Wayne (1914 - 1995) became the first person to receive the Theatre Wing's Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Actor (supporting or featured) in a Musical. The annual Tony Award ceremony is the creation of The American Theatre Wing (ATW). The ATW was established in 1917, just before America entered World War I. Seven ladies of the theatre (Rachel Crothers, Louise Closser Hale, Dorothy Donnelly, Josephine Hull, Minnie Dupree, Bessie Tyree and Louise Drew) met to discuss the creation of an organization to aid in war relief. The Stage Women's War Relief organization was born and began operation within the next few weeks; it became one of the most significant and active relief organizations in the world. The Theatre Wing established the Tony Awards as a memorial to actor/director Antoinette Perry (1888 - 1946). The first awards ceremony took place in April of 1947. The first Tonys went to the following individuals (the musical winners appear in bold type):
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In January of 1947, Finian's Rainbow opened on Broadway. It has been said that this was the first musical to tackle racism with laughter (part of the plot involves a leprechaun who changes a white congressman from the South into a negro). It was definitely the first musical with a racially integrated chorus. The score was by Composer Burton Lane and lyricist E.Y. 'Yip' Harburg. Hits from the show included "That Old Devil Moon," and "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?" As the leprechaun, David Wayne (1914 - 1995) became the first person to receive the Theatre Wing's Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award for Best Actor (supporting or featured) in a Musical.