A question about tech rehearsals for touring shows

[winston89]

Posted: 12/25/11 at 1:22pm

So as far as I understand (and correct me if I am wrong,) but when a show is touring, they will often rent out a theatre just for tech rehearsals. For example, American Idiot has had it stated in press material that the tour will begin in Toronto, however, it did tech rehearsals (and two public performances) in Ithaca NY prior to going to Toronto.

My question is this, if a Broadway show is going on its first national tour, wouldn't it be more costly to rent out a totally different theatre from where the tour is scheduled to begin. Why not make the theatre that they are teching in the first stop of the tour or even get to where they want the first stop to be a little earlier to tech and then start the tour?

[gvanover]

Posted: 12/25/11 at 1:58pm

From everything I have read or heard from tours, there are two main reasons why a lot of companies have technical rehearsals at a different theater before moving onto the first stop for a tour.

1) Most road houses have tight schedules with shows and other engagements coming in back to back. The cost to use a space that isn't in demand is considerable less. According to the Utica Broadways site, the space hasn't been used since the middle of November and isn't schedule for another show until February, meaning any rental for the space is more revenue than it sitting empty like it had been.

2) It allows a "dress run" for logistical purposes when it comes to strike, load in, etc. A problem with the logistics plan is a lot more "fixable" going between a "tech house" to the first stop on the tour versus discovering the problem between stops. Any problem that comes up between the tech rehearsals and first stop can be solved during the run of the first city.

Updated On: 12/25/11 at 01:58 PM

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 12/26/11 at 4:08pm

Simple answer on this one is that it's much, much cheaper to rent a theatre in Ithaca NY than it is in Toronto. In addition to that, the Toronto theater likely didn't have the ability to hold the tech and invited dress shows there.

[kdogg36]

Posted: 12/26/11 at 8:30pm

For example, American Idiot has had it stated in press material that the tour will begin in Toronto, however, it did tech rehearsals (and two public performances) in Ithaca NY prior to going to Toronto.

As gvanover said, for the record, it was Utica. :)
#UticaRocks! (At least for two nights.)

[gvanover]

Posted: 12/26/11 at 11:36pm

"The cost to use a space that isn't in demand is considerable less."

"Most road houses have tight schedules with shows and other engagements coming in back to back."

I thought my answer was pretty simple. I guess complete sentences are considered complex.