Shuffle Along previews

[EthelMae]

That's great Christine! Talking about your ticket at 40% off! 

I was glad to see the show up at TKTS at 40% off. Glad about $40 Rush too.

I do come from the world of Low Priced Previews. Even if a show had a out-of-town try-out, it came into NY with low price previews. That way everybody is on board the same ship. We know the show is going the changes and, therefore, we paid less than patrons who attend after opening.

I know people don't think the amount of admission should matter but I think it's easier to see a show that is changing nightly if you paid less.

As far as length, most out-of-town try-outs for musicals of yester-year can, I think, boast a 3 hour or more running time.

[Scarywarhol]

It's a good question, and we don't see a lot of that. Again, there was Spider-Man, which while not a creative or commercial success ran for almost three years after a complete overhaul. But normal rules don't really apply to any aspect of that show. I hope that this show proves to be an example of what can be done with a preview period today, and the fairly strong pre-sales probably help. I'd point again to the scheduled downtime as evidence that this has always been the plan in a show that probably could not have tried out of town with its main selling point--the cast. We'll see. 

[JBroadway]

Weirdly, even though we got out last night at 11:23,it  didn't actually feel like it was too long. It was simply the meandering and descriptive book that bothered me. If someone had taken away my phone after the show and asked me to guess how long the show was, I probably would have guessed about 2:45. It didn't feel long to me, it just felt messy. Though the length and the bloated 2nd act are intertwined, the mere fact that the show ended at 11:23 is not the issue. 

 

Also, wasn't Giant something like 4 hours? 

[Scarywarhol]

Giant! Now THERE was a show that just refused to end, even after big cuts in pre-New York runs. 

 

I agree that length was not as big an issue as focus last night. But I think I understand what the show is about and what it is trying to make me feel/think about, which surely means the team has a much better idea of what to look at. 

[QueenAlice]

I also think full price tickets when they are so expensive make an audience feel entitled to speak, comment or "review" the show as if it is a finished work.  And I can see how some audience members might feel "insulted" that they are being asked to pay full price for something that isn't finished.

Most shows in the UK are cheaper during previews. I'm not sure when that stopped being the case in New York City. But it is almost like producers don't think audiences on Broadway are savvy enough to know the difference.

 

[tirecage]

Folks looking for a lower-priced preview ticket for perfs in the next few days may be pleasantly surprised to see the VERY NICE selection of seats now available using a certain very well-known website's discount code. Just a 'heads up', friends! And...go!

[Scarywarhol]

And by and large, I think they are right to assume casual buyers won't know the difference. It's unfortunate. 

[QueenAlice]

Well, it certainly appears to be more more a case that critical reviews mean less to the box office then early word of mouth. If that trend increases, it will be interesting to see what tactics producers try in order to use the preview process to their advantage when it comes to influencing social media word of mouth.  This is something the movie studios are hyper aware of, because in that industry, opening day word-of-mouth often makes or breaks the theatrical life of a film.

 

 I feel like the producers of American Psycho are, for example, smart in offering some substantial discounts during previews to try to lure younger audiences. And I do think when people pay less money for tickets, they are more lax in their expectations and often more gregarious in their praise. Getting that praise for a new show is important!

[iluvtheatertrash]

A bit annoyed about the seats that have opened up as I bought the day they become available.... 

Does anyone know - or has anyone ever tried - when picking up your tickets to PAY for an upgrade to a better seat? Is this ever possible? 

[jacobsnchz14]

I did that late last week over the phone. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

I just tried and they told me "it's not possible". Going to try at the theatre when picking up - going a little early. If not, at least I have a side aisle seat mid-mezz. (I like the side aisle-seats because I am on the shorter side and it gives me a nice clear view of the stage.)

 

[Scarywarhol]

That's a fine view at the Music Box. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

That's what I thought originally! Just the show I'm most excited about all season.

[Robbie2]

Christine How much did you pay for your 40% off seat G4 ticket?

[sing_dance_love]

I have to say, the length didn't bother me at all. What I was watching was consistently interesting, even when it wasn't totally working. I definitely would rather take too many ideas, concepts, and attempts at something unique and theatrical than the alternative. Especially when it moves as stylishly and dynamically as this does, and with such wonderful performances. Just my opinion.

 

Though I do understand that some may have to catch a late train or have other time concerns, so running time can be an important factor. 

[jacobsnchz14]

 Also to the person who asked, Audra did not sign last night. Everybody came out of the stage door and the knly people who did not sign — except for a couple who asked — were Joshua Henry and Brandon Victor Dixon. Savion was there also and signed for a few people.

[musicaltheatreman2]

are the views for the rush tickets good? 

[musicaltheatreman2]

are the views for the rush tickets good? 

[musicaltheatreman2]

are the views for the rush tickets good? 

[musicaltheatreman2]

are the views for the rush tickets good? 

[Bettyboy72]

So would folks say front mezzanine is better for this show due to dancing rather than front orchestra? I was front mezz for Pippin and loved it. 

[Scarywarhol]

Bettyboy72 said: "So would folks say front mezzanine is better for this show due to dancing rather than front orchestra? I was front mezz for Pippin and loved it. 

 

"

I was glad to be in the mezz for this show. The sets are not opulent, but with all the ensemble tap and stage pictures, I would not want to be too close. 

 

[EthelMae]

Thank you, tirecage! Excellent source!

[bwayphreak234]

Wow. What a colossal disappointment this evening was. This was one of my most anticipated shows of the season, but I found this show to be unfocused, bloated, and meandering beyond belief. I am curious to see what changes they make throughout the preview period. I honestly don't know if there is a salvageable show in what they have now. I don't think I will be revisiting this even after changes are made.

[phan24]

The show let out at 11:15pm at tonight's second preview and the house was completely sold out, which I was happy to see.

 

 

Regarding the show itself, there were definitely fewer actor and technical mishaps tonight as it was reported yesterday. To my taste, it was a little too long and it did not really make me care as much as the book was trying to make me care. The spectacle was great all throughout, the actual story felt a little too forced (not as forced as Billy Porter's Act 2 solo)

 

hope it changes dramatically throughout previews...

[@z5]

After seeing what some people said about it last night, I was kind of worried about going tonight, but it was really amazing. I usually have a hard time sitting through long shows but not  this one! It clocked in at almost 3 hours and 15 mins.  It was very well done and the dancing is phenomenal. Sat in the mezz which is good for the way the staging is done, especially at the top of the stage. 

Audra signed afterwards tonight as well as Porter and other leading cast members. Definitely is an awesome signed playbill to have by Audra and billy Porter!