Out of town tryouts

[brettystar]

Posted: 10/4/08 at 9:26pm

When a show has an out of town try out, is the production usually mounted and rehearsed in that city? Or do they cast the show and do most of the rehearsal in New York with what they expect will be the original Broadway cast and then move to that city in time for the opening? Then do most of the out of town cast stay in the show for the Broadway opening?

Take for instance 9 to 5. It is not due to open til March next year. So would that mean that the cast has a few months off? Or would they recast and start rehearsing again? I know it would vary but can anyone tell me what usually happens? I know that the principal cast would often stay the same but what about the chorus?

[Ashley4Tale]

Posted: 10/4/08 at 9:48pm

I think I can answear that, somewhat.
For Tale of Two Cities, when it came to Sarasota, they originally rehearsed in NYC with the main actors, then moved down to Sarasota to do their final rehearsal, just prior to "previews". Usually when there is an out of town tryout like this, they tend to employ local actors for the ensemble (if someone knows better, correct me, but I don't think these actors need to be Equity) and some minor roles, most probably because it saves them money, and a lot of times they get some really great performances from new talent this way. This happened with Tale: The actor who played the brother of the girl killed had an amazing voice, and did an outstanding job in his role.
Hope this helps.
Cheers!

[brettystar]

Posted: 10/5/08 at 6:23am

Thanks for that.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/5/08 at 8:57am

Entire cast (ensemble AND main actors) are cast with full intentions that this entire cast will do the try-out THEN Broadway. The cast rehearses in New York. The entire cast and crew then techs the show in the try-out city. Changes are made to the show (music, book, lyrics). Sometimes cast members are replaced (not working out, etc.). Show closes in try-out city. Actors take time off and may work on other projects during their hiatus. They are on full contract therefore they have to be available to resume their contractual commitment to the show at the start of the Broadway rehearsals. Cast and crew rejoins in New York City. Rehearses any changes made to the show between cities. Cast techs the show at the chosen Broadway theatre/house. Previews begin. BWW Message Board members dissect the show until Opening Night. Show opens. Gets panned by the critics but word-of-mouth is great. Main cast members slowly start leaving the show about a year after the show's first try-out date. Show runs 8 years with lots of opinionated stunt casting.

NOTE: if the producers and creative team feel the show is set in stone after try-outs, they may record the cast recording (HAIRSPRAY, THE LION KING and THE PRODUCERS did) before opening on Broadway. As we've seen in the recent past, sometimes a cast recording may never be recorded. Its all up to the show's producers to invest additional funds to have this done.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 10/5/08 at 3:06pm

Usually when there is an out of town tryout like this, they tend to employ local actors for the ensemble (if someone knows better, correct me, but I don't think these actors need to be Equity)

Of course they have to be Equity. Otherwise they can't do the show on Broadway. They might employ some local actors, but Tale was unique in that respect. Usually the entire cast is found at auditions both in LA and New York. Those are the main cities. Sometimes producers look elsewhere.

Updated On: 10/5/08 at 03:06 PM

[philly03]

Posted: 10/5/08 at 4:58pm

Mostly everything above is true, with the exception if you're working for Frank Wildhorn! Frank has done them all: no try-out (The Scarlet Pimpernel did many readings in NY (starring Carolee Carmello for a lot of them!)), pre-tour (Jekyll & HYDE), premiere/try-out years before Broadway (Dracula, the musical), and concert (The Civil War).

With Dracula, the musical I think that only two people were left after the premiere, which was 3 years prior to Broadway: star Tom Hewit and I think Chris Hoch did it at La Jolla too. I don't know if Hewit was contracted though or not to take it to Broadway!, just noting it LOL.

And I think the thing about locals getting roles is true to the extent that in most of the places where they premiere are usually pretty-well-known/respected theatres. I know that here in Philly at the Walnut, almost all are Equity members, despite some not even being in national tours/broadway whatnot. I don't really know the rules of the Equity card situation, but maybe it's possible they can give them out and perhaps the theatre's owners/managers would try to push to have their best into the world premiere (Like at the Walnut, I would assume that if they ever had another World Premiere anytime soon, they'd try to get Christina DeCicco atleast a featured part? [she was Glinda on the national tour of Wicked]), granite if the casting is held after a place is picked. Actually I don't really know what goes on with casting/picking places and all of that. I know Jekyll & HYDE often picked people from Houston & New York, but the director was also from Houston/Alley Theatre so I can't say I know too much about outof town tryouts!