When the cast of a new Broadway musical meets for the first time at one of the major rehearsal studios in New York, the director introduces the creative team and shows off the designs for sets, costumes and posters. Then the cast sits down for a first read-through of the show. In some cases, the composers will perform all or part of the score. Zero Mostel and the company of Fiddler on the Roof rehearse the wedding dance. By union regulation, the performers are on full salary from the first rehearsal onwards.
Most rehearsals are with piano accompaniment only.
John Kander began his career as rehearsal pianist for Gypsy . At this point the director and choreographer are molding performances to fit their overall vision of the show. Depending on the size of the cast, the leads may rehearse key scenes separately and only join the ensemble as required. In a typical New York rehearsal hall, Jon Cryer and Daniel Jenkins rehearse Big 's FAO Schwartz scene. The exhausting effort to put on a show is much easier when everyone gets along and operates as a team.