BAKER STREET: The First Color Playbill?

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 10:38pm

I found this in the Playbill Vault, and was wondering if it was the first one, or if it was really ever printed? 1965 is much earlier than I thought any color playbills were made.

Perhaps it was for a special performance or something??

Updated On: 8/26/14 at 10:38 PM

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/26/14 at 10:45pm

I still have mine.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 8:42am

I have mine, too. Plus it was my first-ever Broadway show. I can still hear "Buffalo Belle" in my head, even though on the OCR it's replaced by "I'm In London Again." Thank goodness for NYC public school theater trips.

[wonkit]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 1:37pm

I have mine, too.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 3:54pm

Well, since it does seem to have been printed, does anyone know if it truly is the first?

[madlibrarian]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 9:13pm

Don't believe it was the first color Playbill cover, but it didn't last long. They switched to a B&W photo by late summer.

[After Eight]

Posted: 8/27/14 at 11:43pm

"I can still hear "Buffalo Belle" in my head, even though on the OCR it's replaced by "I'm In London Again." "

"I'm in London Again" was replaced by "Buffalo Belle" during the show's run.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 8/28/14 at 12:03am

Never knew that. My class must have seen it during the latter part of its run, then.

Updated On: 8/28/14 at 12:03 AM

[Demitri2]

Posted: 8/28/14 at 10:02am

I also recall seeing BAJOUR before BAKER STREET opened and a color ad (replicating the album cover drawing) slipped out of the Playbill advertising BAKER STREET opening in a few months. If I'm not mistaken it was also the first show to replace the long standing $9.90 orchestra seat with a new price tag high of $11.90! Hard to believe but back then a two dollar ticket price hike was considered a big deal and there was much criticism in the local papers.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/29/14 at 10:18am

It is basically people turning into sheep and paying anything asked of them

When you have people seeing shows multiple times and basically hero worship when certain people appear, the producers basically know people are like putty in their hands and can charge whatever they want

Even if I had not soured on Broadway and even if my wife and I were both still working we agreed we would never pay the insane prices being charged. Did anyone ever envision $ 150 plus for a straight play? A friend of ours saw the River in London and said it was deadly dull. Since Jackman is in it, it is now elevated to a Shakesperean masterpiece.

Attending shows was fun when Baker Street and those of that era played. The audience was respectful and had manners and if you did not like a show you said that and nothing more. Now it is downright vicious calling shows you do not like a turd etc.

It is now strictly business and the audiences have reflected this.

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 8/29/14 at 12:34pm

Roxy there are plenty of affordable ways to see shows nowadays, especially if you live here. I rarely pay over 50 bucks for any show.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 8/29/14 at 12:59pm

We see shows only on offerings.When my wife wants to see something we go.For me,the spark is no longer there.I love the music and I am content with cast albums and naughty versions.