During rehearsals, a mere ten days before the start of previews, Geralyn Petchel, the original actor cast as Marilyn Monroe, was replaced by Alyson Reed, her standby. Kristi Coombs replaced Danielle DuClos as Young Norma Jean. During previews, director and choreographer Kenny Ortega was replaced; Thommie Walsh took over as director and Baayork Lee assumed choreography duties. Ortega retained credit in the playbill. Due to these changes, opening night, originally scheduled for Sunday, November 6, 1983, was postponed twice - first, to Monday, November 14, second, to Sunday, November 20.