Tryout is staging a legitimate theatre performance at an off-site venue for evaluation and possible revision before going to Broadway or the West End. The Shubert Theatre (New Haven) is an example of a theatre specializing in such tryouts in Broadway.
Popular tryout locations
New Haven, Connecticut (Oklahoma!, The King and I, My Fair Lady, 1776 (musical))
Philadelphia (Street Scene (opera), Kiss Me, Kate, A Raisin in the Sun)
Boston (Porgy and Bess, Follies, La Cage aux Folles (musical))
Detroit (Hello, Dolly! (musical), Sweet Charity, Seesaw (musical))
Washington, D.C. (Show Boat, West Side Story, 42nd Street (musical)
San Diego (Rumors, Thoroughly Modern Millie (musical), Jersey Boys
Los Angeles (Peter Pan (1954 musical), The Happy Time (musical), Brighton Beach Memoirs)
Seattle (Hairspray (musical), The Light in the Piazza (musical), Catch Me If You Can (musical)
A tryout can also be the final rehearsal of a theatrical performance or the showing of a motion picture to a test audience and/or the press, preceding the premiere.