Previews vs Official Run?

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 9/3/10 at 1:01am

Currently a lot of shows that are starting up in previews are up on tdf and I've been debating on whether to go or not. I've never attended a show during previews and I wanted to know everyones thoughts about them. Are the shows that much different then the official run? Also for my silly question, do they still hand out playbills?
Updated On: 9/3/10 at 01:01 AM

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 9/3/10 at 1:03am

A preview is the near perfect cut of the show, but can be tweaked here and there. Once opening night starts, it is set in stone and there really are no changes. They hand out playbills, and this might be your only chance to get a color playbill, if they have since many shows are changing pretty fast now.

I personally love previews, but that's just me.

[ReiVallejo]

Posted: 9/3/10 at 1:12am

I love previews too!

Best time to see it in my opinion...and YES to the coloured Playbills.

[Kad]

Posted: 9/3/10 at 1:34am

Previews, in most cases, are no different than regular performances. Some things- usually very minor- may be altered during previews, but in most cases, the show is pretty much in its final form when previews start. Changes are usually imperceptible- changes to blocking, or technical elements, or choreography.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 8:49pm

Or costumes.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 9:01pm

I concur. For the most part, you'd never be able to tell the difference.

[thetinymagic2]

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

I kinda disagree re previews, however my opinion comes from working many yrs. FOH and seeing perfs. every night of the same show for months or yrs. My fave time to see a show is about 3 months in --that's when the chemistry, artistry, etc. seem to really come together full force. The rythmn of the show and the performers gels about then. It IS, however, exciting I guess to see a show in it's infancy. If you only see a show once, it really doesn't matter though, does it?

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 9:19pm

I saw 9 to 5 early in previews and then again a few months later and could not point out any significant changes.

I'm seeing WOmen on the verge 2nd preview cause I want to snag a few color playbills while I'm there haha

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 9:25pm

^ LCT always has color playbills throughout the entire run of the show, no matter what.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 9:33pm

Fancy! Thanks

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/4/10 at 10:49pm

I enjoy going to previews shortly before opening (A week or a few days) so it is fresh in my mind when reviews come out.

[mikem]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 12:39am

A revival may not have significant changes, but some new works have substantial changes between first preview and the critics' performances. If something is not working, the creative team tries to fix it. Material can be cut or added, scene order can be rearranged, and sometimes those changes can be quite significant. If I remember correctly, both Reasons to Be Pretty (on Bway) and Prayer for My Enemy (off-Bway) completely changed their ending between first preview and opening night. On the other hand, A Behanding in Spokane, even though it was a world premiere, had no substantial differences between 1st preview and opening, as far as I could tell. It is a little unpredictable.

A revival, or a production that is a transfer from somewhere else is less likely to have such drastic changes, but still could (as in some recent changes in key cast members during previews).

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 12:57am

The only show I saw in previews that had really hardcore changes between the first preview and opening was Shrek.
When I saw it my second time, there was a new finale, and a new opening sequence.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/5/10 at 11:47am

I love when previews seem to go on forever like.....

Legs Diamond
Golden Rainbow
Nick & Nora

Than there are those that never make it out of previews like....

One Night Stand
Breakfast At Tiffanys