FIRST OFF . . .

“Suds” is coming home. The hit San Diego musical that journeyed from the Old Globe Theatre to off-Broadway’s Criterion Stage Left in September, will close in New York on Sunday after 104 performances and will reopen Jan. 17 at the San Diego Repertory Theatre. Co-producer Bryan Scott said the four-week Rep run at the Lyceum Stage will kick off a national tour. The San Diego Rep is where the show began--as a workshop production by a group of San Diego performers who created a story around songs from the 1960s as something to do between jobs. Plans are in the final stages for a Los Angeles production as well, Scott said, adding that he believes regional audiences will be more receptive to the show than New York theatergoers. The original cast will reprise its roles in San Diego, while a different cast will continue doing “Suds” in Toronto at the 1,200-seat New Century Theatre. Tickets for the Lyceum engagement go on sale in San Diego on Dec. 12.