WANTED Previews — Page 2

malcs98 said: "speaking with the composer at stage door they said they should be frozen in two weeks, so obviously they have more than enough time to figure things out."

Two weeks is a VERY short amount of time to make changes to a Broadway show in previews. That's only 5-6 daytime rehearsals. It basically only gives them time for cuts and refocusing, not proper rewriting/major staging and design changes, unless they already have a worklist devised during tech/dress rehearsals.

The critics start coming 3-7 days before opening.

It was a lot easier to make on-the-fly changes in the old days before light cues and automation and sophisticated sound design, but now any change has to be teched (so nobody gets hurt and so actors aren't doing a scene in a pool of darkness).

When a month of previews was the norm, that gave shows a decent runway to do surgery. Over the past few years, these preview periods have become shorter and shorter. Every producer hopes their show will be great enough to not need a long preview period (or that a whole lot of workshops will reduce the need for work during previews), but most shows do need the time to settle in and do some work.

Scott Rudin made one of the most creatively smart producing decisions on SHUFFLE ALONG, which had 6 weeks of previews and scheduled a half-week off midway through to make actual changes. Very rarely does this ever get done, and major work happened during those off days.

EDSOSLO858 said: "You lost me at PARADISE SQUARE. Unless I’m comped, I’ll probably just wait for the cast album after this closes - if they can pay for it."

jeez, is everyone on these message boards always this pessimistic??? however, I will honestly say if there’s only one real critique I have after reflecting on last night it’s that the first act could use a bit of trimming and tightening as I think it definitely lacks the focus needed but then again that’s constructive criticism, which yall in these message boards seem to lack

Updated On: 10/16/26 at 01:34 PM

singtopher said: "Former frequent poster, long time lurker here. I happned to find myself at the first preview last night, and have a light workday so why not write up a few thoughts?

Great energy in the sold out house. I found the directors speech to besweet. Downbeat was just around 8:15, intermission was around 9:35, and we were leaving the theatre around 10:50.

There is good here. Overall, I enjoyed myself, thoughI fear my review will lean negative.I don't want to deter anyone as this is just a first preview. The gentleman next to me loved it, and a friend I ran into alsoliked it.The singing is gorgeous throughout (shout out to Melody Betts and Rayhun LaMarr)and I'm glad shows for singers are still being supported.

The prologue with the Kinfolkset an excellent tone. I was pumped. After that, it was very hit an miss throughout the night. About every third song wouldland.

My friend and I agreed that the show needs more music. The book scenes get long, and there are moments where a song would be a natural fit to drive the scene (in particular the climatic scene betwen Mary, Martha, and Jesse). Instead, we get 10 mins of plot,while we wait for the next song to begin. More songs that drive the story, and less "I am/I want" songs. The book could usetightening, and underscoring could help some of the clunky transitions into songs.

The set is remicicent of The Notebook in many ways with the house frame, and suspended lights. There are two-story side units that fold in to become a saloon, a train, etc.Unfortunately it causes significant sight line issues on the sides of the house. My side (house right) wasn't too bad but house left you have a wide ladder and a platform that will obstruct the view of the far left side based on my view. Additionally, these units significantly narrow the playing space, and it looked cramped with the full cast.

I like the use of the Kinfolk, and Chelsea Arce did some beautiful movement with them.Aurelia Williams and Awa Sal Secka are scene stealers, and refreshing comedic relief. Solea killed her act 1 number, "Real Woman" and makes me yearn for her to play Amneris. Vocally she's extremely strong. I wish Bradley Jaden got more to sing.He has such a lovely voice.

Not gonna lie, there are some clunker performances for me. A couple of characters while great singers lack much presence on stage. There is one performance in particular that in act 2 was giving "Oh, Mary" level camp and it wasn't intentional. (If you see the show, you will know who I am talking about.)I won't elaborate much as it's a first preview and these things will continue to hopefully improve.

I didn't see Paradise Square so I cannot comment on any comparisons. It's more Side Show meets Bonnie and Clyde.

One specific comment, they need to fix the bedroom scene in act 2 where Mary begins to tell Jesse about her identity. The way it was written and performed, it sounded like Mary had invited Jesse onto an episdoe of Jerry Springer in 1997. It ends up in a lovely duet, but the way it started drew unintentional laughter from the audience."

See this is the kind of constructive criticism i'm talking about...and I agree with a lot of your points here