What does it mean to "open out of town"?

Question

Specifically in relation to Broadway.

Answer 1

I think it means trying out a play out of NY city before trying it on Broadway. It would be off-off-off Broadway, I guess.

Answer 2

Years ago, most plays that were destined for Broadway would run a pre-Broadway run in a town like New Haven or Philly or some other town. This allowed the producers to work out the kinks of the show in a lower cost market (it was cheaper to stage a show in those towns than in NYC). The pre-run would allow the writers and directors to know which parts of the show worked, and which ones were not winning the audience. Often, the end product that showed on Broadway was significanly different than the out-of-town previews.

These days, with the theatrical magic that goes into most shows, the show has to be designed for the theater in which it will be performed, so out-of-town previews are much less common.

Answer 3

Most plays that open on Broadway do have out -of-town tryout to sort of "test the waters" in other cities.

Answer 4

It is not uncommon for "unknown" actors and "unknown" works for stage, to "go on the road" with a play...They are scheduled to perform on different stages, before different audiences, to "season" the actors and work out necessary revisions to the play..according to audience reaction.
The towns could be, like Schenectady, NY, or Sheboigan, NJ, who knows where they were able to book the play..It would have to have a "successful run", before Going on Broadway.