First Night at Players' Ring

First Night

A Romantic Comedy by the author of "Moonglow" Jack Neary

A bright, warm comedy about dreams, life, and love. Danny Fleming had convinced himself that life’s dreams can’t be anything more than dreams. Then back into his life walks his eighth-grade flame, Meredith O’Connor – only now it’s Sister Meredith Louise, and it becomes a New Year’s Eve to remember.  Come see why the New York Post review said "You can't help cheering."

With John Manning and Jocelyn Duford.

“FIRST NIGHT… has considerable charm, zest, imagination and expertise, suggesting Neary may be a playwright with a future… it’s too good not to be given other productions.” Variety

“Seducing a Catholic Woody Allen in the FIRST NIGHT… What follows is a sort of psychological boxing match that escalates into frenzy with ridiculous speed… Neary keeps the characters and the encounter fresh—steering a clear course between romance and caricature and keeping the play securely tucked into a fantasy world of its own devising… honestly funny.” Boston Globe

“What a delight!... Just as Fred Astaire was able to dance with a hatrack and make it look good, so playwright Jack Neary is able to sidestep the clichés and find the humor and the heart in this touching little encounter.” Los Angeles Times

“One of the sweetest love stories ever written… not only a touching love story, it is hilariously funny and upbeat… Neary’s play is more sophisticated, subtler and funnier than NUNSENSE or BLACK PATENT LEATHER SHOES… FIRST NIGHT has the stuff that classics are made of… a play you will want to see again and again…” Lawrence Eagle Tribune

“On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I’d rate the Merrimack Repertory Theatre’s production of Jack Neary’s FIRST NIGHT a 9.6… The play has everything: charm, surprise and lots and lots of wit and hearty laughter… Fast-paced, warm and incredibly funny and eminently entertaining, the play has the makings of a perennial favorite… Treat yourself to a most delightful evening of theatre and good laughs… I promise, you won’t be disappointed.” Reading Chronicle

“This was belly-laughs. Screaming, shrieking, make-those-actors-hold-up-because-they-can’t-be-heard-over-it laughter. Thigh-slapping megalaughs. And they gave the play a standing ovation, like no one could ever remember happening (at this theatre) ever before.” Holyoke Transcript-Telegram

“Jack Neary’s delightful FIRST NIGHT is one of those little jewels that sometimes becomes word-of-mouth hits.” San Diego Union

“How long has it been since you’ve laughed for two straight hours? Two hours of straight laughter is what you’ll get with FIRST NIGHT, a hilarious comedy by Jack Neary.” North Coast Dispatch, SanDiego

“A lovely riff of magic… touch it for yourself.” Kevin Kelly