Question about rehearsals

[Jon]

Posted: 4/13/07 at 4:05pm

On broadway, there is often a what is called a "gypsy run-through" - a dress rehearsal with various people "in the business" - directors, actors, etc. invited. This is followed by previews - public performances for a couple of weeks before the official "opening" - meaning before the thow is reviewed by the press.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 6:09pm

When a show is in previews, typically, you have rehearsals during the day, when you fix/change things (as regular in the preview process), and then you do the show that night, and start all over again the next day.

[StarStruckGB]

Posted: 4/15/07 at 11:58pm

Yeah, usually when you obsrve cast momber coming to the theater before the show, they're coming with time to get ready.
That's how it usually works during a shows run, you don't have official rehearsals so much.

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 12:01am

I don't know who told you that StarStruck, but when you are in a running show, you do have official rehearsals scheduled every week.

It's not every day, and sometimes it's at the theatre, sometimes at a rehearsal studio, but you most certainly do.

Unless a rehearsal is scheduled at the theatre before a performance, cast members usually have either a 30 minute or 45 minute call (sometimes it's an hour, sometimes people come earlier), and that's when they get to the theatre.
Updated On: 4/16/07 at 12:01 AM

[Dre2387]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 12:50am

do you have rehearsals every week? I thought it was brushup rehearsals occasionally, or if there are new stars coming in or understudies or standbys coming in. but every week?

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 2:20am

Understudy's are required to have a certain amount of rehearsal time, so, with that, plus putting new cast members into the show, brushing up if some numbers require it, or rehearsing for some other performance (benefits etc), there are rehearsals every week.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 10:39am

If you watched the last backstage video fro SA. Remy says how they were at the theater having rehersal.

[misschung]

Posted: 4/16/07 at 11:11am

Broadway shows definetly do have a rehearsal every week, like Drowsy Chaperone's is Wednesday I think.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 7:27pm

Once a show is up and running, the only rehearsals that go on are brush-ups, understudy calls, and fight calls.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 7:28pm

Once the show is open and you are performing, equity allows 12 hours of rehearsal per week.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 7:52pm

A fight call is a rehearsal of a fight scene. It usually takes place at half hour.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 4/17/07 at 8:14pm

They do a fight call towards the end of this video: http://www.broadway.com/gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=534020

Updated On: 4/17/07 at 08:14 PM

[Dover]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 8:30pm

When a show is running usually the only regular rehearsals are understudy rehearsals and put-ins (which depending on the importance of the person being put-in, might be done with the regular actors or understudies). It's pretty rare to call a rehearsal with the regular company just for brush-ups, unless the show is a mess, or the director wants to come in to tighten things up. I guess some shows may have more than others, but it's not really normal.

[SweeneyPhanatic]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 8:43pm

So if you are joining a show (ex: coming in as the newest Phantom) that's already up and running, how much rehearsal time might you have from the time you sign your contract to the time you open? Would it differ for a more supporting role like M. Firmin, or maybe even Mary Sunshine (in Chicago; I'm switching shows here).

[jbdc]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 9:09pm

Generally, replacements get about two weeks. Leads get more time, of course, depending on the demands of the show. And celebs going into Chicago get as much time as they need to pass themselves off as Broadway performers.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 9:13pm

Replacements, no matter how famous or not, no matter how big the part is, generally about 2-3 weeks.

There are many quotes from people like Brooke Shields about how short the time span is.

Of course, the actors do have the option to learn it on their own prior to rehearsal.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 9:17pm

my friend brooklynn pulve plays tracy on the national tour and she said everytime they get to a new theatre-they have a run through-just to get use to working in a new place.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 9:22pm

National tour of what?

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 10:02pm

I'm guessing Hairspray.

[Jon]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 11:17pm

Any time a show has a fight scene - whether it's swords, a fist fight, or whatever, the actors are required to run through it before EACH PERFORMANCE. It's for the safety of the performers.

There is the famous cast of the play I HATE HAMLET, in which Evan Handler (of Sex and the City, etc.)played a young actor and Nicol Williamson played the ghost of John Barrymore. Williamson refused to rehearse their sword fight sequence, and would change the fight choreography without telling Handler. One night he "accidentally" whacked Handler in the chest with his sword, drawing blood. Handler walked out, saying he refused to go on stage with Williamson again. Williamson was fired and brought up on charges with Equity.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 4/20/07 at 11:27pm

Replacements have arather jumbled rehearsals...

Some replacements watch the show from the audience by night, rehearse with the Dance Captain by day.

Others don't watch the show at all and only rehearse with the Dance Captain.

But at some point, they must follow the person they're replacing through the show. This means they have to go through the person's journey through backstage to know where to be at certain times, as backstage traffic is complex and rehearsed.

And almost always, they usually get only 1 or 2 (if they're lucky) rehearsals with the full cast, using full makeup and costumes.

Updated On: 4/20/07 at 11:27 PM

[jbdc]

Posted: 4/21/07 at 9:56am

What I said about celebrities--I meant people like Lisa Rinna, who learn half the show before they get hired, so the Weisslers can see "if they can do it." But YankeeFan is right--2 weeks, maybe 3.