Do preview comments help move the needle?- Page 2

[mrshowbiz90210]

Posted: 3/16/25 at 12:16pm

Kad said: "Given that the musical development cycle now includes rounds of readings, followed by workshops and labs, then focus groups and other testing, a process spanning years before an actual production is even mounted,the fact that shows regularlystill arrive on Broadway with glaring, potentially fatalflaws makes one question the entire time consuming and expensiveprocess."

once the show has transferred to New York… The creative team and producers are often diluted. By the fact, they have a hit or early fans that show up to the previews glowing about every dance step or sustained note. So I do not believe these comments, move the needle other than to dissuade people from seeing inferior productions that are not worth the money
 

 

 

[Idiot]

Posted: 3/16/25 at 1:11pm

Kad said: "Given that the musical development cycle now includes rounds of readings, followed by workshops and labs, then focus groups and other testing, a process spanning years before an actual production is even mounted,the fact that shows regularlystill arrive on Broadway with glaring, potentially fatalflaws makes one question the entire time consuming and expensiveprocess."

Such a good and chewy question, Kad.  I'm given to wonder about the talent pool.  I suppose it's nothing new that the tension between financial concerns (the Producer realm) and the creators (the Artistic realm) is subject to a constant push and pull.  'Putting It Together' has always been a dance - but is the current talent pool on the Artistic side all it could be?  Who gets championed and supported - and why?  As with so many other things in the world right now, is 'the money' getting too much sway?  It's important of course - this is a business.  If it's the primary concern, how does that translate into which works get resourced?  Can Producers with edge and vision - and the personalities such as person tends to have - survive our current cultural sensitivities?  These things are on my mind a lot these days and I'd be interested to hear thoughtful responses.  

[pacificnorthwest]

Posted: 3/16/25 at 2:32pm

BenjaminNicholas2 said: "Re: SMASH: Considering Stro hasn'thad a hit in quite some and that this new production isn't getting positive buzz, perhaps it might be prudent for her or her team to keep track of what the boards are saying. There's a lot of good advice to be had here."

Exactly. That was precisely my point in posing the question. The experience and wisdom in the responses here make a good case about the challenge of changing things so late in the game. But I also get the sense that many productions would rather dig in their heels than try. 

Which is too bad because  there are many impressive critiques on these boards that merit consideration.

Updated On: 3/16/25 at 02:32 PM

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 3/17/25 at 12:04pm

I'm curious if the person who gave out their email at the first preview of Mincemeat (was it the director?) received any comments that they took into consideration for previews.