# Is "Topdog/Underdog" by Suzan-Lori Parks a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Topdog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks (Theatre Communications Group, 2001) is identified by: TCG edition, 2001 (ISBN 1-55936-201-4 / 9781559362016), trade paperback original. The US TCG 2001 wrappers is the true first (2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama).

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- TCG edition, 2001 (ISBN 1-55936-201-4 / 9781559362016), trade paperback original
- First printing states 'First Edition' and lacks a later-printing line on the copyright page
- Issued in wrappers; no trade hardcover
- Publisher imprint reads Theatre Communications Group
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Suzan-Lori Parks |
| Publisher | Theatre Communications Group |
| Year | 2001 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Hardcover (trade) |
| Key point | TCG edition, 2001 (ISBN 1-55936-201-4 / 9781559362016), trade paperback original |
| Book-club edition exists? | — |

## Points of issue
TCG edition, 2001 (ISBN 1-55936-201-4 / 9781559362016), trade paperback original. First printing states 'First Edition' and lacks a later-printing line on the copyright page. Issued in wrappers; no trade hardcover.

## Is this the true first?
The US TCG 2001 wrappers is the true first (2002 Pulitzer Prize for Drama). A UK Methuen edition followed. This is a softcover-original; there is no hardcover first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Later TCG printings (post-Pulitzer, 2002 onward) add 'Pulitzer Prize Winner' banners and/or number lines and are not firsts.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Topdog/Underdog* by Suzan-Lori Parks a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/topdog-underdog
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-04.