As someone who frequents IBDB and IOBDB ... The changes to the off broadway database are horrific. So not user friendly. What happened?! Anybody? Or is this a me problem hahahah
I don’t know what happened, but it isn’t just you, there are at least two of us who don’t like the new site. I don’t know if it’s just a question of finding any change difficult to adjust to, or if it really is as user-unfriendly as it seems to be.
The new site seems to include currently running and upcoming Broadway productions, but not past Broadway productions. The old IOBDB didn’t include BAM productions, but I noticed the new site lists the recently closed Streetcar at BAM, so they may be planning to include BAM productions going forward but not to add past BAM productions to the database.
Neither IBDB or IBDB are reliable sources anymore. They don't update their cast lists frequently enough for long running shows. And the few times I've submitted info to them to update their cast lists, they don't do it. even with direct links and photos of an updated Playbill list. Understudies.org is better at updating cast lists than IBDB is.
I prefer browsing abouttheartists. On top of broadway and off-broadway credits it includes regional and even workshop credits for some performers.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/14/22
It's bafflingly horrific and YES, actually I would like to speak to the manager.
They transferred the operation to a private concern (not sure if any money changed hands) that seems as creepy as it does incompetent. Oh well. It started at a time when programming something like this was in its infancy, and it is certainly neither complete nor completely accurate, but it would not be difficult today to bring it forward as is for archival purposes and then let producers keep it up to date going forward. I am not sure what happened, but I'd like to know who or what made this genius decision. I am sure it is driven by the not-enough-money blues, but this is embarrassing.
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