What EXACTLY Constitutes a PREVIEW?

During previews a show can change as needed to fix any structural problems. The audiences reaction is the best resource for that. Once a show opens, that is once the press is invited to review it, it's not supposed to be altered. I think it has to do with union laws and whatnot.
Of course shows do make minor changes after opening on occasion, but as a general rule they're set. There are so many shows that have had weeks and weeks of previews only to close after a few perfs.
There is even a show by Jule Styne called One Night Stand (ironic title) that closed DURING previews and never even opened officially.

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You certainly can change a show after opening, but you have to pay the actors extra for rehearsal. During the preview period, you can have the actors in for additional rehearsal for no extra pay, as long as the total work day - rehearsals and performance - does not exceed ten hours.

"Do some shows just have indefinite "previews" until they decide they have it right?"

It's pre-determined. The show sets an opening date and they have until then to tinker. Occasionally the opening can be delayed by a few days if more changes are needed. But it sends out a very bad signal.


"And what about the people who are PAYING to see a preview? Please don't tell me that they're allowed to stop mid-play to change something, or address one of the actors."

Oh god no! The creative staff makes changes between shows. The only time I'm familiar with a show being stopped during a performance was b/c of a mechanical set malfunction. Many preview tix are less expensive that once the show has opened b/c it's still in a state of flux.


"What is the difference between a preview and a DRESS REHERSAL?"

Think of a preview as a Dress Rehersal with an audience.

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LOL. It wasn't one particular incident I was referring to, just a general cause to stop a show. I do recall there being a lot of trouble with the Mary Poppins set though. I think they had to cancel a couple of previews b/c of it.
You should start a thread about set malfunctions, I'm sure there would ba a lot of great stories!

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Well that's how the story goes, but I have my doubts. Never trust a flying nanny.

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Never trust any nun. You never know what's under that habbit.

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You're nothing if not relentless, Sleeth.

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SM2 always has funny posts! He makes me laugh a lot.

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a preview is any performance before the opening night, but these days all opening night really means is the perfromance the media is invited to see, and opening night dates get chosen for maximum press exposure

FUNNY GIRL also kept extending it's previews back in 1964.

a preview is any performance before the opening night, but these days all opening night really means is the perfromance the media is invited to see, and opening night dates get chosen for maximum press exposure

Actually the press rarely attends opening night, simply because it would not be possible to attend the performance then write a review all before the deadline for the next days papers. Opening night is usually reserved for friends, family and special guests. The press usually attend one of 3-5 press performances which are given the last week of previews AFTER a show is frozen so changes between then and opening night are very small.

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"FUNNY GIRL also kept extending it's previews back in 1964"

Well, that's probably only because Barbra was such a perfectionist.