End of the run, beginning, or middle?

[sasark]

If a company is showing a brand-new work over the course of, say, two months, in what part of the run do you like to get your tickets? At the very beginning, when there's a bit of buzz and excitement, in the middle, when the kinks have been worked out, or near the end, when it will be more polished, but maybe the top-tier cast has gone on to other projects? I am drawn toward the beginning-middle time frame, but I'm just wondering what others think, if you have a preference. Of course, I realize it might depend on the company and the work.

[DanielBenton]

Time permitting I like all three times because you get to see the evolution of the performance that way (my experience is with NYCB).

If I had to pick one it would be middle or end because at NYCB the first performances of many works are a little ragged (including, and sometimes especially, the orchestra).

[sasark]

One concern I have about the end is that if a performance was canceled, you wouldn't necessarily have the option of choosing a later date. (Of course, if the entire run sells out, the same would be true if a performance in the middle was canceled.) I guess cancelation is less likely with a brand-new work that a company has spent a lot of time and money on. But sometimes I tend to be cautious and think of these things....