Teahouse of the August Moon was first performed at the Martin Beck Theater in New York City in October 1953. A hit Broadway production, the first run lasted for over one thousand performances. A critical as well as popular success, the play earned Patrick many awards, including the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best American Play of the Year, the Pulitzer Prize in drama, the Antoinette Perry (Tony) Award, the Theatre Club Award, the Donaldson Award, and the Aegis Award, all in 1954.

Upon the initial production of Teahouse of the August Moon, New York Times drama critic Brooks Atkinson had nothing but praise for the play, which he labeled "a delightful comedy," describing the overall production as "wonderful work." In another review, Brooks asserted, "No one has any difficulty in falling in love with Teahouse of the August Moon." He stated, "As a piece of...