Need the wise advice of BWW.com people

[orion59]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 10:30am

I'm in the final stages of planning my Tony party and have dug out the box of BW memoribilia. My plan is to use a collection of Playbills, posters, programs, props, etc in groupings along the buffet table as decoration.

Here's my dilemma;

I have certain items that are questionable becasue they are photos taken backstage at events, at parties or other social events. I also have a number of autographed photos, press kits and publicity materials from various shows.

Is it pretentious to use any of this?
Are photos taken backstage, autographed photos or photos in which I appear going to basically say "Look what I've done and where I've been?"

I go back and forth on considering their use. The theme of the party is a history of BW and I see some of these items as kind of a piece of that history. On the other hand, I think it looks showy and pretentious.

Anyone care to give opinions?

[Zola Q. LaPlaya]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 10:36am

Orion:

The people you invited are your friends, right? So who gives a rat's patootie what they think. Decorate well and they will love you -- plus, keep the vodka flowing.

[redhotinnyc2]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 10:38am

Personally, I think I'd leave the photos of yourself with "who you know" out of the mix, only because it can come off as looking very egotistical (even though that is definitely not your intention.) so many people associate theatre people with large, overblown egos - so its best not to perpetuate this idea any more than necessary. Sounds like you have some great stuff, and the idea of using it as decoration for the party is nice. Leave the other stuff for the people who actually ask to see it, that way you're letting them open the conversation to who you know and what you've done.

[etoile]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 10:40am

I don't think there's anything pretentious about it. My only advice is to caution you. You may want to have all these tabletop posters, playbill, photos covered with clear vinyl tablecloth. You can buy the vinyl by the yard at most fabric/craft outlets.

[DAME]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 10:44am

Honey;
Just make sure you do whatever it takes to protect that stuff. You don't some kind of red wine incident ruining your stuff.

[orion59]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 10:51am

There's always plenty of vodka so now worries there, Zola

Updated On: 6/4/04 at 10:51 AM

[DAME]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 10:53am

What; It's Tony night and no Mojitos?

[orion59]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 10:56am

everything will be situated to avoid being ruined. I like the idea of the clear vinyl tablecloth. That will allow me to actually put things flat on the table as oppsoed to just setting them up along the back.

It will take a bit of figuring out though. The table cloth is going to be black with small footlights running across the front edge....a stage. I guess the clear vinyl can go over teh table cloth and under the lights or just be cut to stop at the lights. Thanks for the grat idea.

[orion59]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 10:57am

Never fear, Dame. Mojitos will also be available along with the "Wicked" vodka shots.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 12:18pm

sounds like fun

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 12:37pm

I agree with Zola, if they are really your friends they will enjoy seeing them. But I would advise keeping anything you can't afford to part with out of the mix. Why not encourage your guests to bring their own photos and memorabilia that way you can all share your memories!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 12:43pm

Sueleen - that's the best idea yet!

[orion59]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 12:48pm

I like that idea. One of the things that made me question what I was going to use is the fact that a couple of my guests are actors and one is an assocaite producer. They are the reason I get to go certain places and get cool things. They all have their own memoribila that they could bring along.

I'm glad I posted this thread because not only am I getting opinions on my original question, I'm also getting some great last minute ideas to incorporate into the party.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 12:53pm

my friends are having a sopranos party, and i'll be turning them down to watch the tonys by myself. *sigh* oh well, it'll be worth it to get to see all of the performances, then maybe i can channel surf over to HBO when they are actually giving the awards out (after all, im sure they'll be by-the-minute updates over here )

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 4:40pm

I wish I had more friends that are Broadway loving fans so I can host a Tony Party...

[Phantom2]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 4:53pm

I would only show the nude shots.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 6/4/04 at 5:10pm

Nude shots?! Where?!