Broadway shows? Previews ?

[shinysparklybubbles]

My mom and I want to go see Sister Act on Broadway, its opening night is in April but is having previews before then. Anyone know what differences, if any would there be if we would go during the preview time? I think we are going to hold out for the cast to be listed in hopes of Whoppi being in it and getting tickets then!

 

[SwiperFox]

The only real difference between a show being open and one being in previews, is that the show in previews is still being worked on. The company is still having rehearsals during the day and changes are still being made. There is always a chance with a show in previews that they might have to stop for some reason (any number of things can go wrong backstage).
A show in previews is still a work in progress. I know a lot of people who like to go see a show a couple of times during the preview period to see the changes happening.

That said, if you are just hoping to see the show in general, it probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference.

You are also more likely to see the complete cast without understudies at that time.

 

[snykymom]

During previews, the composer can rewrite music, the lyricist can rewrite lyrics, songs can be replaced in total, scenes moved around, scenes cut or added or rewritten, etc. Depending on how long the previews last, the show that actually opens can be very different than the one that started in previews.

If you're a real theater geek, though, like we are, that can be a lot of fun. And we've also seen shows in previews that ended up not opening at all, but that we loved anyway.

 

[Imzadi]

During previews, the composer can rewrite music, the lyricist can rewrite lyrics, songs can be replaced in total, scenes moved around, scenes cut or added or rewritten, etc. Depending on how long the previews last, the show that actually opens can be very different than the one that started in previews.

If you're a real theater geek, though, like we are, that can be a lot of fun. And we've also seen shows in previews that ended up not opening at all, but that we loved anyway.

The director could re-stage a whole section.

Even after The Real Thing, won several Tony Awards: Best play, plus Jeremy Irons, Glenn Close & Christine Baranski each won for their categories, director, Mike Nichols, didn't like how the second act was staged. He felt it was choppy & moving slowly. The audience was getting sluggish. He had the set designer move the couch as he felt it cut up his action & flow, and re-blocked the actors in that scene. (I knew the sound engineer who had to show up for those re-stagings to rehearse.)

Usually stuff like that happens in previews.

If Whoopi isn't in the show now, she's not going to suddenly show up in the cast. They don't change major actors from previews to Opening Nite, unless there has been an accident or crisis. Previews are more for tweaking, full dress run throughs, and to get audience response, so they can change that before the show opens.

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Thanks for your responses! I knew someone on here would know. Either way I am excited, we used to see shows a lot but stopped when I got pregnant and haven't been back and my son is now almost 2! I love Broadway! Urinetown was the funniest play I ever saw!

 

[ashleybea]

Like everyone previously said they can rework the whole show. It most likely wont be the same as opening night.
For example, currently Spider-Man:Turn off the dark is in previews and the whole final scene isnt complete. You can tell it isnt and they are reworking that and will hopefully be great by opening night

 

[SwiperFox]

Like everyone previously said they can rework the whole show. It most likely wont be the same as opening night.
For example, currently Spider-Man:Turn off the dark is in previews and the whole final scene isnt complete. You can tell it isnt and they are reworking that and will hopefully be great by opening night

If it even makes it to opening night!