Editorial
Data
Original analysis of the Theatreview catalog, with methodology and the raw numbers.
- How long are Broadway previews? The median Broadway production that opened since 2010 played 24 days of previews before opening night, and the middle half of productions previewed between 19 and 28 days. Previews are paid public performances of a show that is still being changed. 11% preview for under two weeks; 2% preview for longer than six.
- How long does a Broadway show actually run? The median Broadway production that opened since 2010 and has now closed ran 87 days — under three months from opening night to closing night. 54% close inside their first three months, and only 11% reach a first anniversary. The long-running hits that define Broadway in the public imagination are statistical outliers.