The Double Bass had its American premiere at the Syracuse Stage in Syracuse, New York during the theater's eleventh season in 1983-1984. Alan Brasington as the musician was directed by Arthur Storch. The following year the play was produced at The New Theater of Brooklyn. There were twenty performances in November and December of 1985 with Boyd Gaines directed by Kent Paul. These two then moved to off Broadway, and The Double Bass was staged at the 47th Street Theatre twenty-one times in November and December of 1986.