Fun Home Playbill

[ryandl15]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 8:21am

Noticed that Fun Home's playbill for July is going to black and white. It doesn't have the same charm as it does with the color version.

[bfreak]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 8:46am

I know. It really doesn't make any sense. Like I mentioned on the official Playbill thread, the show wins best musical which everybody knows will make ticket sales soar even higher than they are, and what do they do but try and save money by making their Playbill cover look really cheap. It just doesn't make any sense, as producers don't really seem to realize that one of the first impressions you have at a show before it even starts is the show curtain and playbill cover. Now everybody who comes to see the show will be treated to an amazing show, but an ugly playbill cover. The analogy I made about the show curtain and playbill cover when you first walk in is almost like bread and water at a restaurant. If the customer isn't really into the bread, it could start the night off kinda on the wrong foot. Now I know I'm making it a little more dramatic than it really is, but still.

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 9:12am

Not to mention, from a marketing/social media standpoint, all the photos people share online of their Playbills are going to be plain and boring. #TonightsBill tags will be filled with beautifully colored Playbills from theatergoers sharing their theater going and then there will be Fun Home... the Best Musical winner with the ugliest, least charming Playbill. 

Maybe the producers have their eyes set on a quick recoupment and cutting the Playbill color cost will allow them to get there even faster? Maybe it will be temporary, like On The Town was, and color Playbills will return? Or maybe whoever made this decision wasn't thinking straight when they decided on it? Whatever the reason, I don't get it. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 10:57am

Oh, please.  Never in my 50 plus years, have I ever had someone even remotely be effected by the playbill cover. I've never even heard any one discuss covers except here. It doesn't change opinion of the show, nor will it effect sales.

This will not make any difference, in any way.

(Additionally, you must consider WHEN they have to make these decisions...I'm sure they had to face the order before the Tonys.)

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 11:04am

Fun Home Ticket Sales Plunge!

It's right there in black and white

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 11:26am

I never said it would effect sales. Hell, I never even said it would effect ANYONE in particular. All I was saying is that in terms of the look of the show from interactive social media presence, you'd think a best musical winner would shell out a few extra bucks to keep them in color and I was explaining my confusion as to why they haven't. That's all.

Updated On: 6/14/15 at 11:26 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 11:35am

It's pretty standard practice that Playbills switch to black and white.

It's pretty standard practice that cutting expenses is important in for-profit theater.  Why, Hedwig no longer has Hedwig's face on the Playbill.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 11:38am

It does make me sad when I get B&W Playbills.  And it makes me sad that I'm seeing Fun Home at the end of July knowing that I will get one.

Of course it doesn't take anything away from the show, but it's always a nice bonus when the Playbill is aesthetically pleasing. I always take pictures of the Playbill/curtain so I can see where you are coming from!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 12:19pm

I recommend refusing it when offered.  Dare to register your displeasure, it's the only way things are going to change.

[FishermanBob]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 12:29pm

"It does make me sad when I get B&W Playbills.  And it makes me sad that I'm seeing Fun Home at the end of July knowing that I will get one."

You shouldn't go. No one needs that kind of sadness in their life.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 5:06pm

Yeah, that was a bit overly dramatic on my part.  It really doesn't make me sad.  Maybe, like, a tinge of disappoint with no color.

So is saving money the only reason for going B&W for Playbills?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 5:10pm

Bring crayons!  #HappyEnding

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 5:45pm

Theaters get playbills for free with a black and white cover. (I also imagine that for free, they have a limited number of pages.)

 

They pay for color.

Updated On: 6/14/15 at 05:45 PM

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 5:54pm

Personally, I don't care whether the Playbill is black and white. I'm always just happy to even be at the show in the first place and will gladly take any Playbill that they hand to me.

[mattporter17]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 6:00pm

Does anyone have a picture? I'm curious about what it looks like.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 6:12pm

 

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 6:20pm

What's the fuss all about??! It looks just like a Playbill lol lol

Updated On: 6/14/15 at 06:20 PM

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 6:21pm

I don't think it looks as terrible as people are making it out to be either. 

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 6:54pm

Now that I actually see it it doesn't look as bad as I thought either.

 

And thanks for the info dramamama! I thought they just paid less, I didn't think they actually got them for free.

[bfreak]

Posted: 6/14/15 at 7:34pm

Same here. As I see it bigger, it looks nicer. Plus, playbills always look more bold and vivid in person than on the internet.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/15/15 at 8:24am

OT, but not: For the record, the stunning graphic novel is in black and white with watery blue-grey wash. The yellow on the the Playbill draws attention, but I'm happy with Bechdel's palette. And the new cover is consistent with that.

Since color is a theme here; now truly OT: Didn't the Cerveris Bruce get a new shirt when the show moved from the Public? He now wears that dark blue that wasn't there before (and seems more fitting with the final 30 minutes of the show).