Changes in Previews you've seen...

[DavidMegg]

Changes in Previews you've seen...#0

Posted: 11/5/03 at 4:41pm

For those of us who weren't fortunate to see the first run of a show (i.e. Out of Town tryout, preview performances, workshop readings, etc.) could some of you share some accounts of the different versions, etc. you've seen? (which would mean you've seen that early version, then the final production seen on opening night) and what the differences were!
Thanks!
david

[mcphan19]

re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#1

Posted: 11/5/03 at 5:18pm

Sure David,

The only show I have seen in previews and after opening night was Dance of the Vampires, and there were plenty of changes between previews and opening (which would most likely account for all the negative reviews and why the show closed when it did - but I'm not going to go into that for fear of being flamed)

Anyway, I saw performances in the second week of previews, when (having seen how it ended up) the show was not that great - Crawford's costume and makeup were horrendous, the choreography was ok and the lighting and sound were in excess. (I probably should say now that I am one of those die-hard Crawford fans)Bein totally objective now, his performance during previews was certainly interesting. His costume and make-up after opening night was a great improvement.

There were many changes between preview and opening (the major one being the Invitation scene - which started out comical and turned more serious; some minor changes were the removal of some visual jokes, some comical lines and the censoring of the cursing bat (I can now say that I have heard Crawford curse on stage, albeit not in his normal voice, and not him technically on stage)

I'm certainly glad the changes were made, but I have a strong suspicion the critics did not see them (judging solely on the reviews I've read - but again, I'm not going to go into that) I could go more in depth, but then I'd have to describe everything in the context of the show. I thoroughly enjoyed the show; it wasn't the best show I've ever seen, but it wasn't the worst either - it was an entertaining show which didn't take itself too seriously, even though there were serious points in the show.

Let me know if you want to know any more details,

Jen

[RobbO]

re: re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#2

Posted: 11/5/03 at 5:27pm

I had the good fortune in seeing Urban Cowboy in previews and then again when it opened. Most noticeably they cut one number from the time I saw it in previews (Honey, I'm Home by Shania Twain) which I missed greatly when I realized they weren't going to do the number. Also, they tried to add more humour (but it was not very funny) and added more of the star, Matt Cavenaugh, without his shirt for the sex appeal quotient. Again, in my opinion, the changes were for the worse except the addition of more skin (but that's not why I go to see shows...)

XING
PED

[Unknown User]

re: re: re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#3

Posted: 11/5/03 at 5:31pm

"Fortune Favours the Brave" in Aida underwent a massive re-orchestration between Chicago and Broadway.

[BrdwyThtr]

re: re: re: re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#4

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:56pm

Hairspray. Originally, Tracy wore a glittery jail dress for "You Can't Stop The Beat". When the show reached NYC, it was changed to the pink dress.

[WhatDoINeedWithLove?]

re: re: re: re: re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#5

Posted: 11/5/03 at 7:58pm

Actually she wore the jail dress throughout previews as well but then it changed to the pink before it OPENED...I saw Gypsy with Bernedette but I havent seen it after so I have no idea if anything changed...Also, I saw Bounce in Chicago and I hear a lot changed

[Theatreboy33]

re: re: re: re: re: re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#6

Posted: 11/5/03 at 10:11pm

The producers added quite a bit of small bits here and there that were different from their chicago previews. in chicago, as well as on the OBC recording, during springtime for hitler, DeBris did a much longer garland-type monologue about how he came into power. in NY they replaced it with a little dance from Ula and some short bits by Stalin, FDR, and Churchill. The original hitler bit was a bit long, but i still think it was funnier than what they changed it to. the FDR bit doesnt seem to have a punchline. Another added bit i greatly enjoyed was in the courtroom scene where, while singing Till Him, Max finishes a verse and gently and sweetly walks out of the room, only to be led back in at gun point by the police on the next verse.

[JoizeyActor]

re: re: re: re: re: re: re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#7

Posted: 11/5/03 at 10:17pm

Well I spoke with Rob Bartlett from Little Shop via e-mail, and he told me that there was some changes in the production since I saw it during previews. I think Audrey's nightgown is a bit different, and Rob said that the Don't Feed The Plants number was improved as well. Unfortunately, I haven't gotten to see the show since it opened. I want to go back to see it soon, though!

[StateOfJade]

re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#8

Posted: 11/5/03 at 10:17pm

The only thing I noticed in Wicked was that Michelle Federer said the line 'Lemons and Melons and Pears, oh my!' instead of Kristin, and they added in the part where Boq spins Nessarose around the ballroom.

"I really liked the show--Wish I saw Boy's Night...Am I allowed as I am not a boy anymore:)"-duffyny1

[Gothampc]

re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#9

Posted: 11/5/03 at 10:31pm

Several years ago, I saw Nick & Snora (I mean Nick & Nora). They completely rewrote Christine Baranski's song, they fired Josie de Guzman.

If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

[alterego]

re: re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#10

Posted: 11/6/03 at 8:25am

A friend who is working on Hairspray tells me that the glittery dress that you refer to that Tracy wore cost $40,000 #*!!!
How can something so small cost that much???

[papalovesmambo]

re: re: re: changes in previews you've seen...#11

Posted: 11/6/03 at 10:38am

i saw the 1st preview of titanic and then went to opening night. probably the most glaring difference was that on opening night the ship actually sank and there were no stagehands running about on the stage in worklight.

r.i.p. marco, my guardian angel.

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he was the gimmicky sort

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[lc1965]

re: Changes in Previews you've seen...#12

Posted: 11/6/03 at 10:44am

I worked the entire 1st week of previews at Passion & the show changed so dramatically from one performance to the next that I marveled at how the performers could keep up. (They were real pros, BTW, & handled it beautifully.) The ending changed, basic things about characters changed so that at one performance they were repulsive & the next they were quite sympathetic. Songs were added; songs were removed; verses were added & removed. It was wild.

I should note that there were so many people fleeing for the exits during previews that extra house staff had to be stationed at the fire doors so people didn't use them during the performance. As soon as the positive reviews came out -- for a show that was essentially the same one from which people were fleeing a couple of days earlier -- people stood & screamed "Bravo!" (Won't get into whether it should have been "Brava" or "Bravi", though! )

Murder By Music at Dillons 9/9, 16, 23, 30 www.murderbymusic.com