Are Previews Bad?

I would rather see a performance after it opens because its the finished version, but are previews worth seeing? I know it depends on what show you see, but are they even worth seeing?

It depends what you are looking for. Some people like to see a show being developed and others like to see a finished product (which, as Roxy notes, may itself not be all that finished). If the cherished memory of seeing some really bad, even laughable, idea on stage before it is pulled appeals to you, then previews are great. And of course a late preview may well be one of the best performances since it is the one critics are seeing.

Another way to look at it is that previews are only for a short time (except for Spider-Man) and the finished product will be the bases for all other productions.

If your a big theatre fan, maybe you would like previews for it's historic appeal? Not many people will have much to say about previews over the final show in the future.

Prices? Almost never different from "regular" ticket costs. (Not considering if they change tix prices based on a Tony win, for example) I understand that that hasn't always been the case.

I've been to many previews and aside from occasionally being near the creative team, there are seldom major differences. You do certainly hear stories, and yes, sometimes there are changes after the fact....but I've never been disappointed in the quality.

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Prices? Almost never different from "regular" ticket costs. (Not considering if they change tix prices based on a Tony win, for example) I understand that that hasn't always been the case.

I can remember when -- for many, if not all, shows -- preview prices were often lower than post-opening prices. As recently as a decade or so ago, I remember some theaters would sell their balcony seats for $10-15 during previews (and raise the price to $20 post-opening -- now balcony sells for $40-60 at most theaters).

Preview prices are a thing of the past for most theaters now. Lincoln Center Theater prices its previews lower than post-opening performances for its members, but I don't know if preview ticket prices are lower for the general public, as well.

For the most part, I would prefer to see a performance later in previews rather than within the first week or two.

Before I moved here, obviously it was harder to plan around things like that because I never knew when I could make it back and how long shows would stay open.

There was one year I came to NYC and for the first time, all three shows I saw were in previews and in fairly early stages. I know there a couple of technical glitches and pacing issues when I saw Catch Me If You Can but I thought it was an overall smooth production.

Anything Goes was an interesting case because I remember reading how bad the first couple of previews went so I went into it a little concerned but the show seemed to be in very good form after the first week of previews, although it probably would have been nice to have gone later on to see Sutton Foster grow into the role of Reno more.

In the end, it really does just come down to the show.

I personally like to see the finished product, preferably during the tony season. I don't get to New York very much, usually only once a year for only a week and when I'm there, I want to see the polished version with the best cast when the show is fresh because I know I'm only going to be able to see it once. Lots of people here like Whizzer and Pal Joey are able to experiment with performances and possibly see them 4 times because they live close to the city. They are very lucky but most of us just aren't able to do that.

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Updated On: 6/29/15 at 09:49 AM

I find that the best time to see a show is the week that the critics come; there's still the early-in-the-process excitement among the cast, and the audience has a greater percentage of sophisticated viewers.

On the drawback side, that week can often draw the annoying shill-type audience, who make a vocal spectacle of themselves, whooping before songs have finished, etc. They almost always sit or stand in the back of the orchestra.

But the show is often in as good a shape as it will be at this time, and you won't encounter long-run fatigue (which I've seen set in as early as the third month of the run).

I love seeing previews primarily because the rush is more accessible. Less people want to see previews, and buzz hasn't built up for the show yet, so you can get there at 9 or 10 and get tickets for shows that, a month later, you'll have to rush at 7 or 8.

"It depends on the show.
Something Rotten was almost set by the first preview (granted, they had out of town try-outs). They had a wonderfully epic ballad in Act II that was cut sometime before opening, so it was cool to get to see the number.
(they made the right decision to cut it btw, but I'm glad I got to hear it)"

Actually, Something Rotten cancelled its out of town tryout.

I have seen previews of Les Miserables, Bullets Over Broadway, Rocky, If/Then, On the Twentieth Century, The King and I, and Finding Neverland. I did not feel like I was watching a preview at any of them. The quality and cast were all top notch. Bullets and The King and I both had quite long running times that were shortened later in the preview process, but other than that it didn't feel like I was watching previews. So, no, previews are not bad IMO.

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"It seems everyone is dying to see Hamilton in previews.

Considering it was previously in Public Theater, my guess is it will not change prior to its official opening.

I haven't seen it yet, but the current production appears to be solidified. Can anyone seeing it changing?

"

Lin-Manuel has mentioned that there will be some changes, but I'm not sure if they're going to be particularly significant changes.