The play had its American premiere at the Olney Theatre Center in Olney, Maryland in 1973. Its New York City premiere came at the off-off-Broadway Hudson Guild Theatre in 1978, and this production transferred to Broadway shortly after the completion of its run. It was directed by Melvin Bernhardt and produced on Broadway by Lester Osterman, Marilyn Strauss and Marc Howard. It opened at the Morosco Theatre on 1 May 1978 and closed on 1 January 1980 after 697 performances. The scenic design was by Marjorie Kellogg, the costume design by Jennifer von Mayrhauser, and the lighting Design by Arden Fingerhut. The original cast included Barnard Hughes as Da, Brian Murray as Charlie Now, Lois De Banzie as Mrs. Prynne, Mia Dillon as Mary Tate, Sylvia O'Brien as Mother, Lester Rawlins as Drumm, Richard Seer as Young Charlie, and Ralph Williams as Oliver. Brian Keith replaced Barnard Hughes toward the end of the Broadway run when Hughes went out on a National Tour across the U.S. and Canada. The play won the 1978 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play, the 1978 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play, the 1977/78 Outer Critics Circle Award for the Most Outstanding Play of the New York Season and the 1978 Tony Award for Best Play.