Friday, November 13, 2026
10 Broadway Shows That Got Stuck in Previews — and Some That Closed Shortly Thereafter
BroadwayWorld: It’s always an exciting time when a Broadway production has officially started previews. There’s finally an audience in the house, changes are being incorporated to make the show the best that it can be, and the countdown is on until opening night.
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BroadwayWorld’s article on Broadway productions that experienced unusually long preview periods brings up an interesting perspective on the process of producing a musical. While audiences often see a finished production as something that has been carefully planned and rehearsed, the creative process is much less straightforward. A musical is an enormous collaborative undertaking, involving writers, composers, directors, designers, performers, producers, and countless other people. Previews provide an opportunity to see how all of these elements come together in front of a live audience and, more importantly, what does and does not work. I think it is interesting to consider how much a production can change before officially opening, especially when something as fundamental as the story or structure needs to be reconsidered. At the same time, these examples demonstrate how financially and creatively risky producing a Broadway musical can be. There is a fine line between refining a production and recognizing when it simply isn't working.
I think it is important to note that the article ended with Merrily We Roll Along because it had such success with its recent revival. Despite the article highlighting shows we would call flops, which Merrily has been known as from its original production, some of these shows have since found their footing. A big part of that is what audiences are expecting and who is reviewing the shows. I have seen many shows that I liked that the reviews and/or other audience members panned and vice versa. Since Broadway makes art for the profit and every show is judged by how much of a profit the production makes, it doesn’t always benefit the creatives and the actors on a show but the producers. I do find it interesting though how many shows have had to push back previews and/or opening nights since I have always worked within the confines of opening night and everything has to be done around it.
I was very surprised to see Merrily We Roll Along at the bottom of this list. I would never have expected a show that successful now to have had such long previews. It’s so interesting to see how shows age over time, and that even a show with a rocky first production can become a hit that transcends time. Some shows on this list were a given, like Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. But others, like West Side Story, just don’t make that much sense to me. I understand that as an outsider, I see such a small glimpse of the financial/logistical circumstances that surround Broadway productions, but I feel that revivals, especially, would not struggle to open. In retrospect, some shows have to do poorly so that the successful ones can thrive, but it is always disappointing to hear about a struggling show that a group of artists put their heart and soul into.
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