Long Preview Runs for shows?

[B3TA07]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 12:11pm

I was just noticing today that while the "Cry-Baby" threads on here have already quieted down a bit, it still feels like it will be forever-and-a-half before they actually open. Is this preview run (Mar. 15-April 24) longer than most? What other shows have had really long preview runs? I don't even think Tarzan or Titanic were in previews this long, and they didn't have the benefit of Out of Towns. (Not that Tarzan had the benefit of anything)

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 12:25pm

Some shows, especially certain flops, have had very long preview runs that outweigh the number of actual performances. Merrily We Roll Along had 52 previews and only ran for 16 performances. Hot Spot cancelled its opening four times before it opened!

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 12:29pm

Many many shows play more previews than actual open performances!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 12:36pm

Nick & Nora played 71 previews, after delaying opening twice, and only played 9 regular performances.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 12:38pm

I think Merlin holds the record. It ran under 200 performances without actually really opening.

Updated On: 4/8/08 at 12:38 PM

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 12:41pm

I believe a longer preview period definitely helped Titanic. I remember all the hearsay about the shape it was in during early previews.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 12:47pm

Two horrors!
'Dance Of The Vampires' 61 previews and 58 performances!
'Lestat' - 33 previews and 39 performances

Updated On: 4/9/08 at 12:47 PM

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 2:47pm

What? No you totally screwed up those, DOTV is the one with the 61 previews and 56 shows, and Lestat is the one with the 33 and 30!

[broadwayrules]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 2:52pm

I think Passion had 52 previews.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 2:52pm

In May 1988, CARRIE ran for 19 previews and 5 performances.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 3:15pm

"In May 1988, CARRIE ran for 19 previews and 5 performances."

Actually, I think CARRIE only had 16 previews...

http://ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=4508 Updated On: 4/8/08 at 03:15 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 3:19pm

But its strange. I noticed that A Catered Affair previews and opens while Cry-Baby is still in previews.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 3:21pm

Brody

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 3:24pm

I think THE RED SHOES has all of those beat.
51 previews and only 5 performances!

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 3:27pm

"I think THE RED SHOES has all of those beat.
51 previews and only 5 performances!"

As I had posted earlier in this thread, Nick & Nora had a total of 71 previews...

Posted: 4/8/08 at 3:31pm

I believe N&N does hold at least the modern record. I remember reviewers giving up and reviewing it in previews because it ran so long. And Merlin ran 69 previews and 200 performances I believe.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 3:37pm

Wasn't Titanic's preview period extended because there were so many issues with the set?

Posted: 4/8/08 at 3:56pm

IBDB says 26 previews. Not bad for such a tech-heavy show.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 4:04pm

I found this on Ibdb.com. Back in 1998, the Capeman had 59 previews and only 68 real performances. Not as bad as others mentioned, but the performances only beating the previews by 9 is not good at all. At least in my opinion.

Actually, now that I look, Facinating Rhythem in 1999 did worse. Only 27 previews and 17 performances. Hard to believe that Sara Ramirez could have been nominated for an award from that, but she was. Unless, maybe she was the only good thing for the show.

Yes, I confess I looked for these flops based on my love for Sara. LOL! I just knew though that they didn't last long. I know her other show before Spamalot, A Class Act, was also a flop, but it at least had more performances than previews, and was featured at the Tony Awards in 2001. I know, doesn't make it better, but it was given a chance at least.

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 4:34pm

'Is there life after high school?' ran for 48 previews and 17 performances.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 5:40pm

Let My People Come ran for 128 performances without opening.

http://ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=3851

It wins.

And Merlin definitely opened. It was nominated for Best Musical, after all.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 5:46pm

Yup. Cry-Baby had a longer previews than A CATERED AFFAIR, considering it had an out of town try-out in San Diego for more than a month ( I think?) ...and they are still working on the show!?

J*
Updated On: 4/8/08 at 05:46 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 6:03pm

Some of the champs

Golden Rainbow
Nick & Nora
Legs Diamond

[mikem]

Posted: 4/8/08 at 6:35pm

Cry-Baby's preview period is a little longer than most (a month and 9 days), but not excessively so. Of currently running shows, both Jersey Boys and Mary Poppins were in previews for a month and 2 days. Xanadu and Little Mermaid both had longer preview periods, but there were special circumstances with both that led to delayed openings. (Interestingly, Mamma Mia was only in previews for 2 weeks and Passing Strange for less than 3.)

Tarzan was in previews for a month and 17 days, but they only had 35 performances during that 6.5 week period. Legs Diamond was in previews for over 2 months and 72 performances, with 64 more performances after opening.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 4/9/08 at 1:34am

Let My People Come still wins