# Is "Caroline, or Change" by Tony Kushner a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Caroline, or Change by Tony Kushner (Theatre Communications Group, 2004) is identified by: Trade paperback in wrappers; Theatre Communications Group, New York, 2004 (musical libretto, book and lyrics by Tony Kushner, music by Jeanine Tesori). The US Theatre Communications Group edition (2004) is the first published book form, preceding the UK Nick Hern Books edition, which appeared in 2006 alongside the National Theatre British premiere.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Trade paperback in wrappers
- Theatre Communications Group, New York, 2004 (musical libretto, book and lyrics by Tony Kushner, music by Jeanine Tesori)
- ISBN 1559362480 / 9781559362481
- Issued shortly after the Broadway transfer to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre
- Publisher imprint reads Theatre Communications Group
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Tony Kushner |
| Publisher | Theatre Communications Group |
| Year | 2004 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | Trade paperback in wrappers |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Trade paperback in wrappers; Theatre Communications Group, New York, 2004 (musical libretto, book and lyrics by Tony Kushner, music by Jeanine Tesori). ISBN 1559362480 / 9781559362481. Issued shortly after the Broadway transfer to the Eugene O'Neill Theatre.

## Is this the true first?
The US Theatre Communications Group edition (2004) is the first published book form, preceding the UK Nick Hern Books edition, which appeared in 2006 alongside the National Theatre British premiere.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No book-club edition; issued only as a TCG trade paperback.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Caroline, or Change* by Tony Kushner a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/caroline-or-change
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.