FLOYD COLLINS Previews

Listen to the tale of a man who got lost a hundred feet under the winter frost.

Over 30 years after its premiere, Floyd Collins finally gets to spelunk on Broadway, as previews begin tomorrow night (March 28 ) at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theater. The musical stars Jeremy Jordan as the titular ill-fated cave explorer; the cast also features Jason Gotay, singer-songwriter Lizzy McAlpine (in her Broadway debut), Marc Kudisch, Jessica Molaskey, Taylor Trensch, Sean Allan Krill, Wade McCollum, Cole Vaughan, and Clyde Voce. Floyd Collins features a folk and bluegrass-tinged score by Adam Guettel, with a book and direction by Tina Landau. Opening night is April 21, and the show will run through June 22.

“Floyd Collins is a gripping and powerful musical based on the true story of a cave explorer in Kentucky, 1925. While chasing a dream of fame and fortune by turning Sand Cave into a tourist attraction, Floyd Collins himself becomes the tourist attraction when he gets trapped 200 feet underground. Alone but for sporadic contact with the outside world, including his brother Homer, Floyd fights for his sanity — and, ultimately, his life — as the rescue effort above explodes into the first genuine media circus. Reporters and gawkers from across the country descend on the property, fueling the hysteria and manipulating the nation into holding its collective breath.”

Who’s answering the call?

Updated On: 5/29/25 at 12:00 AM

It is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL musical. While we know nothing yet on the production or cast, we do know the score, and it's one of the best musical theatre scores of the 90s, and it's broadway debut is very overdue. Absolutely go, and congratulations on winning the lottery for the first preview of what promises to be a very special production. 

Updated On: 3/27/25 at 12:27 PM

knicknut said: "Jeremy Jordan fan here and curious about this one. Just won the lottery for tomorrow, but my time in NYC is limited these days so I'm wondering if there are any speculation as to the quality of this one.

Actually, just saw this on LCT's website. Wonder if the show just isn't ready, or some sort of technical or health issue:

The Thursday, March 27 performance has been cancelled.

All tickets will be refunded or can be exchanged at the point of purchase."

Well a member of the orchestra was unexpectedly fired by Adam. I wonder if that had anything to do with the cancellation. 

Not sure if this accounts for the apparent firing, but there appears to be a 12-piece orchestra + conductor here — the great Ted Sperling. Bruce Coughlin is credited with orchestrations.

• 4 Violins (1 Concertmaster, 1 doubling on Viola, 1 doubling on Mandolin)
• Reeds
• Harmonica
• Drums / Percussion
• Piano / Keyboard
• Guitar / Banjo
• 2 Celli
• Bass

For those of you seeing the show this weekend, I am of course very interested in what you all think of it.

I’m also curious about how the cheap seats, in the 100 and 500 sections of the orchestra, are for this production - as they are quite a bit cheaper. There may be a good reason for that, or maybe those seats are a bargain.

LCT lists a 2:45 runtime, including intermission. 

Would be curious to know how much material has been reworked/added/cut if anyone has previous experience with the show. 

DaveyG said: "Firing isn'tfrequent, but it certainly happens. However it is very bizarre for a performance to be cancelled because of it."

It would be bizarre. The first preview was cancelled days before said musician was replaced, so…

I'm sure he sounded great, but how was Jeremy Jordan's acting? Did he rise to the occassion?

I recall other LCT musicals having rough first previews also. Maybe they just don’t schedule enough tech time. Though if the design or the show itself are your problem, there’s probably no fixing that…

No real set. Mostly a bare black stage. Occasionally, blocks and ramps pop up, especially in the initial exploring scenes. And some benches, fences and other pieces are brought on, but not much to speak of. The spot where Floyd spends most of the show trapped looked like a fairly comfortable chaise lounge. Lighting was fine and did the job. 

Updated On: 3/29/25 at 10:27 AM

Why isn’t Bart Sher directing this production? He would’ve had a real set.

It unfortunately looks cheap (and likely is) - but the score remains glorious and the performances I felt were all in decent shape for a first preview. I think I agree that I'd like to have seen a new team take it on, but such is life. 

They have to get Jeremy out of that chair at the end, LOL. 

Lots of other first preview problems, but I'm hoping to go back after it opens to see what's changed.