
A View from the Bridge


Interesting to see another Playbill this season emulate the vintage '60s style Playbills. Anyone have any connection between the two shows other than being British transfers?
^ The Barrow Street run of The Flick also used the old style of Playbill
Dames at Sea is copying the artwork for the original movie poster for 42nd Street.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
Therese Raquin: It might make sense given the content of the play but does anyone else think it's weird that Gabriel Ebert is the only one not looking at the camera for the photo? Also, the other wavy lines sort of follow the curves of the actors faces but the one dividing Keira and Gabriel just creates this odd negative space. Again, it might make sense with the play but it's offputting to the eye. Aside from that, I'm OK with it. It's not iconic or anything but it shows off the actors in a vaguely interesting way.
On Your Feet: Meh



Updated On: 9/19/15 at 09:58 AM
Updated On: 9/19/15 at 09:59 AM
Swing Joined: 5/5/11
Broadway Star Joined: 3/26/11
Why do some Off Broadway theaters use playbills? And some not?
What determines this?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I always thought that it's up to the theatre itself. It costs a lot more money to use Playbill brand programs than another brand, or your own print-outs. So it just depends on whether the theatre wants it or not. I remember being surprised when I got a Playbill-brand program from Theatre For a New Audience, an off-off broadway theatre, but I guess they just had the funds to do it.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
I like the Playbills for King Charles III and Allegiance. I hope they keep them in color. While I have no interest in School of Rock, it's also a good design.

I'm re-posting Dames at Sea because they changed the hair-colors of the girls (to more accurately show the color of their respective wigs in the show). I think the original Playbill design showed the actresses with their real-life hair colors.
Updated On: 10/11/15 at 03:51 PMBroadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
Re: Dames at Sea
I still don't like the little trapezoid skirt shapes or understand why you would position Eloise there with a halo behind her head. But looking at the 42nd St poster I think some of the reasons why the legs are offputting are the shading and the way they're turned out. The legs in the 42nd St poster are facing forward. The legs in the Dames at Sea poster are facing away from the viewer at what feels like an awkward angle to be standing at in heels.
^ YIKES! That was fast. SYLVIA is LITERALLY opening TONIGHT. Why the B&W?
Ugh. B&W playbills depress me so.
I wonder why shows don't opt for a title treatment over the fully illustrated covers when they go black and white. It would look a lot cleaner.
Chorus Member Joined: 10/3/15
This maybe a stupid question, but why is it a showbill for Aladdin instead of a playbill?
Showbill is playbills version of playbill for Disney and anyone who is willing to pay extra. Basically it give the show the freedom to omit or add certain advertisements. And since Disney has a lot of kids going to see the show it wouldn't look good having an ad for alcohol. Also it's only used at the new Amsterdam as I'm aware.


Broadway Star Joined: 9/28/15
B&W Sylvia- fine. However, Dames At Sea shouldn't be B&W. It looks terrible.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/30/15
I don't mind Dames at Sea and it kind of fits the vibe of the show (with the old movie credits) but it should have more range (e.g. the dark colors should be darker).
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