After a developmental reading in Manhattan in December 2011, the show premiered in New York City as part of the Westchester Square Arts Festival, May 18-20, 2012. It ran for four performances before enthusiastic audiences. The original cast included Ashley Ball (Mathilde), Lauren Aliya Berger (Bettina), Daniele Hager (Magda), Frankie Johnson (Gerdy), Skylar Saltz (Ludwiga), Christopher Tiernan (Felix), Trenton Weaver (Capt. van Klapp), Maggie Wetzel (Lotte), and Becky Whitcomb (Knut). Add'l credits: Jody Herman (choreographer), Rin Allen (fight choreographer), Jennifer Ackland (costume design), Nick Gonsman (lighting design), Lauren Cartelli (stage manager), and Janet Elliott (graphic design).​

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Immediately preceding the premiere, the original developmental cast recording was released in early May 2012. The cast album features: Rin Allen (Lotte), Ashley Ball (Mathilde), Lauren Aliya Berger (Bettina), Daniele Hager (Magda), Frankie Johnson (Ludwiga), Honey Ribar (Gerdy), Christopher Tiernan (Felix), Trenton Weaver (Capt. van Klapp), and Becky Whitcomb (Knut). Talkin' Broadway announced in January 2013 that the cast album had been picked as one of their top ten album releases of 2012. It is currently available at iTunes, Amazon, and other worldwide retailers.

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Following the premiere, The Hills Are Alive! was presented at the 2012 New York International Fringe Festival, where it ran for five performances and received rave reviews. The New Yorker and Playbill called it a highlight of the festival, and it was selected by Gay City News as one of the Top Ten Picks of FringeNYC. The cast included: Ashley Ball (Mathilde), Katie Bland (Bettina), Daniele Hager (Magda), Frankie Johnson (Gerdy), Skylar Saltz (Ludwiga), Christopher Tiernan (Felix), Trenton Weaver (Capt. van Klapp), Maggie Wetzel (Lotte), and Becky Whitcomb (Knut). Add'l credits: Jody Herman (choreographer), Rin Allen (fight choreographer), Jennifer Ackland (costume design), Lauren Cartelli (stage manager), Justin Indovina (company manager), and Janet Elliott (graphic design).

 

The Hills Are Alive! was an official selection of the 2013 New York Musical Theatre Festival and played to newcomers and returning audiences alike at The Pershing Square Signature Center.