Should Theatre Influencers Be Posting Reviews of Shows Still in Previews?

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

There’s a reason we call them previews.

They’re not the finished product, not the final draft, not the version the creative team hopes you’ll judge them on. They’re a work-in-progress—an evolving, living thing that’s still finding its voice. And that’s what makes them so thrilling. But lately, I’ve been wondering: are we forgetting what previews are for?

The other day, I was scrolling through TikTok when I came across a theatre influencer who posted a full-on review of a new Broadway show, “should you see it” breakdown—all just a couple of performances into the preview process. And it wasn’t kind. The influencer basically questioned why the show even made it to Broadway in the first place.

And all I could think was: how is this fair?

Theatre previews are essentially a rehearsal with a paying audience. They’re where changes happen nightly—lines are cut, scenes reshaped, songs added or swapped. The creative team is watching, learning, and adjusting. Actors are still getting their sea legs. Stage managers are still finessing transitions. Meanwhile, online, the algorithm is already deciding whether the show lives or dies based on a TikTok review after one or two performances.

This isn’t a criticism of influencers. I admire some of them. They’ve brought new energy to theatre coverage, reached audiences traditional media never could, and helped young fans feel connected to Broadway and beyond. I love that the theatre community is no longer just critics and columnists(like me)—it’s fans, creators, students, and professionals, all in the same digital space.

But when you post a full-blown review during previews, you’re not responding to a finished piece. You’re reviewing the rehearsal process. And whether you mean to or not, you're shaping public perception before the artists have had the chance to finish telling the story.

Imagine someone walking into a dress rehearsal and publishing a take like, “The costumes didn’t sparkle” or “The second act lags”—before the tech team has even finished focusing the lights.

It’s okay to share the excitement. Post your favorite curtain call moment, your “OMG, this song will be stuck in my head for weeks,” your Playbill selfie. Theatre is meant to be felt in the moment, and I’ll always cheer for joyful, immediate reactions. But maybe we can hold off on the official reviews until opening night—when the creatives have had the time they’ve been promised and the show has taken its full shape.

Previews are part of the process. They’re not a secret. They’re not a soft launch. They’re a bold and public part of theatre-making, and they deserve to be treated with care.

So here’s the ask: if you’re lucky enough to be in the room during previews, be kind, be curious, and share the wonder, but save the verdict.

Let the work grow.

Let the story finish.

Let the curtain rise—then tell us what you think.