Reviews written before opening night.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 8:29pm

I asked this question on the FN reviews thread, but didn't want Hijack that thread. Nowadays reviews are written during previews. When exactly did this start happening and what was the main reason for it?

[mikey2573]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 8:31pm

I thought reviews were (almost) always written prior to the official opening --or at least the critic saw the show before the opening.  Once the show is officially "frozen" then the critics can have at it.  At least, that is what I always thought. 

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 8:33pm

What I meant was, the critics see a the show in the last week of previews when it is frozen and then write their review so it's ready for opening night. As opposed to, seeing the show on Opening Night. Perhaps I wasn't clear.

[jv92]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 8:36pm

It's been going on since Hal Prince started the practice with CABARET in 1966. At least, that's what I've heard. So, nearly fifty years now. 

Compare the rather glib, "Smashing good show!" or "Boy, what a floperoo!" notices from some of the daily papers of the 1950s and 1960s (Excluding the more "erudite" critics like Walter Kerr and Howard Taubman-- boy, it really just killed me to call Walter Kerr erudite, even with quote makrs.) to the fairly well thought out prose of people like Jesse Green, David Cote, and Ben Brantley, regardless of what one may think of him. 

I think it helps. It gives critics time to think, to mull, and to have perspective-- even if it's only two or three days. Just my perspective. 

 

 

 

 

Updated On: 4/15/15 at 08:36 PM

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 8:36pm

I think you've answered your own question. 

[Kad]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 8:41pm

It should also be noted that critics are now almost always given a script of the show in their press packet, as well.

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 8:47pm

Very Interesting. But I'm not sure I understand what Cabaret has to do with  it.

[jv92]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 8:47pm

When Sondheim was President of The Dramatists Guild back in the 1970s, the council tried their damnedest to get copies of recordings-- I'd imagine some sort of demo recording, but maybe a cast recording-- to critics, because in fairness, it's very hard to evaluate a musical theater score in the theater with all of the other stuff being thrown at you. There was also a plea for the Times to send both music and drama critics to musicals. Both efforts failed. 

 

 

 

[jv92]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 8:48pm

You asked WHEN critics started reviewing previews rather than opening nights? I told you when. Are you that dense? 

 

[Bilbo3]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 8:55pm

 Are you that dense?

Wow uncalled for? You did answer my question, thanks. I just didn't understand why that particular show was the turning point. But forget I asked. Jeesh.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 9:06pm

His question was so important he forgot what it was.

[pippin423]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 11:12pm

Bilbo, don't take it personally. I learned very quickly. Don't ask questions. Some of these folks will bite your head off over a simple questions. Makes them feel better about themselves. Your question was 100% on point.

[pippin423]

Posted: 4/15/15 at 11:16pm

He never said he forgot the question, He said "forget I asked".