TAR 100 & 149 - Acting - Library Research Guide
The Play: Production History
You can also use the Critical Analysis section: where you find reviews of plays, you'll find a production.
Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service, or Broadway Publishing
Usually the date of first production will be printed within the first few pages in these editions. See if the library has a Samuel French, Dramatists Play Service, or Broadway Publishing edition of your play. Use the UA Library Catalog and do a title search on your play. If you don't have a play, yet, then do a keyword search on either Samuel French, Dramatists Play or Broadway Publishing and limit the publication date to after 1950 (for Modern American Realism).
Internet Broadway Database
IBDB archive is the official database for Broadway theatre information. IBDB provides records of productions from the beginnings of New York theatre until today. Details include pertinent people involved as well as interesting facts and production statistics. IBDB provides a comprehensive database of shows produced on Broadway, including all "title page" information about each production. IBDB also offers historical information about theatres and various statistics and fun facts related to Broadway.
International Dictionary of Theatre, volume 1: Plays PN2035 .I49 1992
Main Ref
Contains entries for over 620 plays; provides the date of first production (sometimes includes cast information) and provides citations to critical essays for each play.
A Guide to Critical Reviews PN2266 .S24 1984
Main Ref
This multi-volume set includes American Drama, Foreign Drama, & The Musical. Provides dates of major productions for each play. Each volume contains a bibliography of critical reviews from a variety of sources.
Theatre World PN2001 T45 Main Ref
Annual publication listing production information. Once you know the date of first production, select the corresponding volume and use the index in the back to locate your play. Find cast information here.