Do You Recommend Attending First Previews?

[JPeterman]

Posted: 11/17/14 at 11:56pm

For those of you who attend previews regularly, what is your opinion of attending a show's very first preview?

Typically is it extra exciting, but with more issues and problems in comparison to later in the run?

Do you recommend attending a show's first preview if the situation presents itself? Or in your opinion, is it better to wait for a month or two to see a show?

Updated On: 11/18/14 at 11:56 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 12:05am

I find them MUCH more exciting than opening nights.

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 12:05am

I stopped going to early previews, only because I then keep wondering if they tightened anything, fixed anything, removed anything, etc., when it finally opened. But then, I don't really want to see everything twice. So, now I try to go toward the end of previews or shortly after opening. That way, I at least feel I'm seeing the final version.

Of course, the biggest complaint on here is usually that not enough things get fixed during previews.

Updated On: 11/18/14 at 12:05 AM

[gleek4114]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 12:07am

I've only attended one first preview (On the Town), and it was everything I wanted it to be and more. It ran super smoothly, and if the performances were that amazing then, I can only imagine how great they are now. I have attended a few regular previews (Big Fish, You Can't Take It With You, and It's Only a Play), and again, everything went smoothly. I think it's kinda cool to know that you were one of the very first audiences to see a certain production. Plus previews usually offer discount codes, and tickets overall are cheaper. Is there a certain show you are thinking about going to a first preview of?

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 1:45am

You have to go to a first preview in a forgiving frame of mind as there may be technical difficulties (especially sound on a musical), the actors may be a little shakey, and the fact that they have never played it for an audience before comes into play. But the visceral energy and excitement can't be beat and it's fascinating to return later to see what may have been changed and how it's all come together, or not.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 8:01am

I like "extra acting."

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 9:38am

As a performer, I know how much craziness can be happening right up until the very last minute of a first preview. Even for productions that are coming together extremely well.

My acting in a first preview is always pure adrenaline. I never have any idea what I'm actually doing until a couple weeks in. Even in a revival, so much changes internally and externally with a show between that first preview and opening night. At least in my experience.

I've never understood the compulsion of some people to attend first previews. I would much rather see the show in its finished form after it has had some time on its feet. Especially if it's a comedy. I don't have the time or money to be returning to shows more than once in the span of a month or two.

Personally, my favorite time to catch a show is in the final few days before opening night.

[DottieD'Luscia]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 10:15am

After attending the first preview of Cry Baby, I vowed never to attend a first preview again. The cast bows weren't even in place that night.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 10:18am

^I've been to four first previews and never experienced anything like that.

The shows I've seen first previews of have been pretty clean and ready to go-- never had any stops or anything. But the excitement of a first preview is a really unique, awesome feeling.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 10:20am

I attended the first preview of Bullets Over Broadway. It was a really great experience!

[Mike Costa]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 11:19am

Always avoid attending first previews.

The sound is not finished, the orchestra is not playing together, the values of the lights are not set nor the timing of the cues since that requires the audience to be present to time the applause.
Yes, the scenery may not break down but the timings have yet to be finessed likewise the actors' timing of the jokes or serious scenes.
I will remind you that the actors and crew will have just come out of rehearsing 10 out of 12 hours so they are quite often not at their best or they are exhausted.

Even if there are not any changes, give a show a couple of weeks to hit its' rhythms and pacing before you see it.
Allow some time for the excitement of "just getting thru a performance" for "art" to happen when it all comes together.

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 12:52pm

I have cheated here. I do think there is extra excitement on a first preview, but I also have had at least two events that I can think of cancelled over the years, and have sat through a couple of messes. So I decided to cheat and only see first previews for shows that are already pretty frozen. Saw Phantom, Miss Saigon, and History Boys on first previews. All evenings were extra electric and ran smoothly...cheating, but more fun.

[haterobics]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 12:53pm

How many shows would After Eight have adored if he had only waited until they worked out the kinks?!

[roseaddams]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 1:31pm

None.

[JPeterman]

Posted: 11/18/14 at 2:37pm

Thank you for taking the time to offer your opinions. I particularly enjoyed hearing the actor Vespertine's point of view about first previews.

Someone asked if I was thinking about going to a specific first preview. To answer the question, I will be in New York for two weeks in March and there will be a large number of shows in early previews during that time with opportunities to go to a few first previews. Thanks, everyone.