Going to a first preview

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Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/25/17 at 5:06pm

I got a ticket to SpongeBob SquarePants first preview, will it be a really Rocky tech day? I remember reading somewhere during an early preview of DEH a chair fell off the ministage, is it usual to have alot of mishaps? Also will stagedoor be successful or not? It doesn't really matter if the stagedoor is too bad as long as it isn't like 2 people come out after an hour outside. I've never been to a preview at all, so I don't really know what'll happen.

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/25/17 at 5:16pm

Nine times out of ten, it will be indistinguishable from any other performance.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/25/17 at 5:23pm

Lots of very tech heavy shows (as Spongebob may be...) might have a few technical glitches, but otherwise it should go off without a hitch. I don't think Spongebob's songs are going to be changing, considering they already released the soundtrack. I don't really mind technical glitches -- it's live theater!

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/25/17 at 8:50pm

I was at the first out of town Chicago preview of The Producers in February 2001.

No mishaps. Smooth as silk.

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/25/17 at 9:03pm

I won free tickets for the first preview for Groundhog Day. The stage stopped turning ~20 minutes into the show. After a 45 minute break (where we were offered free drinks at the bar) they finished the show concert style. On the way out we were all given free tote bags along with free tickets to return and see the show again. It was quite the experience, and it was handled incredibly well by the house staff, cast, and crew.

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/25/17 at 9:29pm

Often at a first preview, a director or other member of the production team may come out and give a brief welcome to the crowd and a disclaimer that their could be some kinks that are still being worked out. It’s just a reminder, not a warning that something will happen. 9 times out 10, things go just as planned. And that 1 time that things do go wrong? You may not even notice because it’s a forgotten prop, a light cue a second too early, or the like.

I wouldn’t be too worried and if there is a glitch, you’re seeing the show evolve in person:)

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/25/17 at 9:36pm

Problems are pretty much unpredictable. Saw Fun Home’s first performance after winning best Musical, which should’ve been one of their best performances, and there was a huge technical error that ended up postponing the show 30 minutes (resulted in crew members moving sets on, no big issue at all), but I saw one of Dolly’s first previews and it went on without a hitch. Most likely, you’ll be fine.

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/25/17 at 10:03pm

I finally attended a first preview. It was WAR PAINT. It was pretty electric. Went off without a hitch. I was going to stagedoor but thought they might be getting notes and not come out for a long time. That happened when I saw PORGY & BESS during first week of previews. Was talking to another cast member for a lomg while and Audra came out about an hour after the curtain went down. By that time there were only 3 of us there and I got to chat with her for a bit.

Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder

Updated On: 10/25/17 at 10:03 PM

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/25/17 at 10:13pm

People who work in the theater steer clear of the first couple weeks of previews since the timings are not set yet. Sound is not balanced since you need an audience there as guinea pigs to get the right timbre for the theater. The light cues are not perfected yet since they are often cued to the actors timing and, of course, the actors are getting used to each other and finding their way thru the piece for the first two weeks with a live audience.

It is not a problem of shows actually stopping, that can actually be fun, it is that the magic and perfection are not yet developed. The jokes usually aren't landing right. The details and the nuance of the cues and a tilt of the head that can make all the difference. It is not a question of whether or not Elphaba will fly, but a question of will she look right and the left before she goes up or will she not turn her head at all and let the audience focus on the rise of the actor rather than the power of her throwing focus to the townsfolk. This is the stuff tried out in previews to get the best effect for the audience.

Getting used to 1500 people sitting there and their reactions takes a couple weeks of trial and error to make perfect. Even a great NYC orchestra needs a couple weeks to all feel the cues together and the sound designer to balance it in the house.

Avoid the first couple weeks of previews if you can since you are not getting the show everyone else is gonna talk about. The production is not frozen yet and changes can go in each night to make it better. In great theater once it all works the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts.

Updated On: 10/26/17 at 10:13 PM

#10

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/25/17 at 10:29pm

If you are wanting to "look" for a mistake. Check the projections, Spongebob did some "wow" factor (from a tech guy side) stuff I noticed. I am sure the Rube Goldberg Machine will be top-notch, however.

#11

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/26/17 at 1:45am

you will get to see it before anyone else :)

#12

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/26/17 at 6:49am

I attended the first preview of the recent Evita revival in 2012. The expectations were high. Ricky Martin was o.k. as Che. Loved Max Von Essen as Magaldi. Most of the cast was electric. Then, there was Elena Roger. Her acting was o.k. Her singing was, to be quite honest, underwhelming. I remember a young guy sitting next to me expressing his disappointment at her voice. The stage door was madness, with people waiting for Ricky.

"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)

#13

Going to a first preview

Posted: 10/26/17 at 9:10am

I was at the first preview of this HELLO, DOLLY! and it was the most euphoric experience I've had in recent years.

"Long live God!" (GODSPELL)

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