"I SAW “A Tale of Two Cities” on Tuesday night. You know, the big new production at the Al Hirschfeld Theater. The one that doesn’t open until Sept. 18. The one with James Barbour as Sydney Carton, Dickens’s dissolute, loveless, sexy young lawyer who does a far, far better thing than he has done before, right in the middle of the French Revolution."
Friday, August 29, 2008
Pros and Cons of Broadway Previews
NYTimes.com:
"I SAW “A Tale of Two Cities” on Tuesday night. You know, the big new production at the Al Hirschfeld Theater. The one that doesn’t open until Sept. 18. The one with James Barbour as Sydney Carton, Dickens’s dissolute, loveless, sexy young lawyer who does a far, far better thing than he has done before, right in the middle of the French Revolution."
"I SAW “A Tale of Two Cities” on Tuesday night. You know, the big new production at the Al Hirschfeld Theater. The one that doesn’t open until Sept. 18. The one with James Barbour as Sydney Carton, Dickens’s dissolute, loveless, sexy young lawyer who does a far, far better thing than he has done before, right in the middle of the French Revolution."
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9 comments:
I personally would go to a preview of a Broadway show. From working in theatre and knowing it runs its interesting to see the changes from the audience perspective rather than from my position from backstage.
But I have been told by some of my close friends that have no idea how theatre functions that they would not like to know how the final product comes about. They don't want to know what changes have been made or see different performance, just the final product.
People just have to ask is anything taken from them if they see a preview.
I would also go to a preview of a Broadway show. There are often recitations afterward where the audience members will give the performers feedback. It is a valuable tool in the process of creating that final product that most audiences see on stage. I think that by seeing a work in process, I am watching the show with a more discerning eye. It makes me a better theatrical collaborator in the process. I'd imagine that it helps others in the same way.
This is something I've always wanted to do but have never done--see a Broadway preview. Not only is it sometimes cheaper, but I really enjoy the process of theatre. After all, most of those stories people have of working on a show are during the process rather than the performance. There's something more open and collaborative about theatre in previews, since it's not "locked" as it would be in performance. The idea of the talk-back/recitation Allison mentions is very intriguing; it's always good to get feedback from real people that will be seeing the show, rather than the critics.
In Charlotte, I've worked at numerous companies where we've had "previews" for a night or two. Of course, it just acted as a show with which everyone could take credit for if they were good, but blame the fact that the "show wasn't opened yet" if they were bad. I'd like to see more of a true "preview" back home and wherever work takes me in the future.
I understand how some would prefer to wait until a show has been fine-tuned before they pay to watch it, but for those who have even a healthy appreciation of theatre, it would not be a bad idea to see a Broadway preview. This way, you're able to experience a process that not many are able to. Also, if the show changes or ends, you will always have the preview experience to draw from.
I inadvertently ended up seeing a preview of The Little Mermaid last year (the strike caused its opening night to get pushed back), and, honestly, there is not really much difference between seeing the preview and an actual performance. There may have been some changes, but none of them were to major (from what I've heard about the show right now). What really makes a difference is when you see the preview. If you see an early preview, you can certainly expect some changes. The previews that occur only a week or so before the show, though, are nearly identical to the show that will soon be opening.
I wouldn't mind seeing a Preview on Broadway. The cast and crew has been rehearsing in the theater for at least a week, so they probably won't mess up. Plus, it is always fun to see the process of theater "unveiled" Even if they do mess up, it would give us (as theater professionals) the chance to look at the show and say "How would I fix that?"
Seeing things as a work in progress is always fun, especially in theater where so much of it is about the process.
Previews are an excellent opportunity for those who are unable to afford full-price tickets to experience and become involved in the world of theatre, as long as they understand that they're getting a really interesting chance to see a work in progress. If they aren't aware of this, they may see the product as inferior or unfinished, and become turned off by theatre. For those who appreciate this fact, however, previews offer interesting insight into the way the creative process works, as well as how a theatre is run, especially if there is a recitation or talk-back before or after the show. Previews could be valuable in getting today's young people interested in theatre because they are educational and accessible.
i think previews are great. i love the tension between the crews and casts wondering if things would go wrong. i think it's a good opportunities for everyone. audiences can get tickets cheaper and the casts can start to feel the pressure and the crews can start learning their rhythms.
The purpose of a preview is to give the cast, crew, and direction staff of a production time to work-on and fine-tune a show after seeing the reaction of a real audience. This is a vital part in the process, and is a time that many nuances and timings are worked out to create the best audience experience. I live in Chicago, and so I have been to many “preview” performances of Chicago on Broadway, and to tell you the truth, at that level, there is very little difference between a preview and opening night. It also usually provides a cost cut on tickets, allowing the show to become accessible to a larger group of people.
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