Playbill Stealing

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 5:53pm

I think you all know what I mean. Have you ever taken a few extra Playbills from off the floor or the back of the level you were sitting in? I've done this only once when I saw The Toxic Avenger Musical. When everyone got up to leave, I went to the back of the orchestra section and saw a huge pile of Playbills begging to get picked up. I took about 4 extra. I used one of them to get signed by the whole cast when I sent them a letter. If you ever done this, please tell your story. I would love to hear them. :)

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 5:57pm

I've done this, but I don't see how this would constitute a story. Or stealing, for that matter!

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:24pm

Um, nce or twice I've taken more than one playbill.

Riveting story, huh?

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:25pm

At $125 a ticket, I'm perfectly comfortable taking a forkliftful of the things.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:30pm

I went to see 39 Steps on tour a few weeks ago. Not an expensive tickets but around 40-50 bucks. They were asking us to share programs due to the recession. Seriously. That made me want to take 20 home with me.

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:44pm

This surprises me (the recession bit) as I always ask for multiple playbills. Since I'm from out of town and don't come here that often I like to make the most of my trips. So if I stage door I'll often try and have them sign the playbill cover and where their cast photo is (this also helps me deocde their autographs later). When I get seated I just ask if I can have an extra. Last night at Ragtime the usher smiled and gave me four or five. I know, I know...best story ever. Now if I'd only used the drinking fountain it would REALLY be riveting.

[ljay889]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:45pm

I just take them from the Usher's stacks, lol.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:46pm

I gave the usher a long scowl. They asked the group before us but not me. I eyed him down seeming to say "We will all get our separate Playbill".

[dshnookie]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:53pm

Sadly, I do it all the time.

Notably, when I saw Gypsy the first few times the Playbill was in black and white, then randomly for one month it was back in color (I think it was because there was a featured article about Laura Benanti) so I snagged oo 8 or so, I did give some away though. Also, when I saw A Catered Affair and got a black and white playbill but saw a stack of color ones as I was leaving, I took one and got Leslie Kritzer to sign it for me. There was a large span of time where a friend and me would see different shows so we'd each grab two Playbills - one for the other.

I must confess, when I saw A Steady Rain during previews the Playbills were in black and white. After it opened, color Playbills began to be distributed. I almost purchased a color one on playbillstore.com but after getting out of God of Carnage one night I did the unthinkable and walked into the Schoenfeld as the crowd was getting out, told an usher that I forgot my Playbill and she grabbed my wrist, a kind woman, and led me to the pile. I grabbed two.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:57pm

You guys take Playbills from the usher's stacks?! You're CRAZY!! Livin' life on the edge!

This thread is hysterical (/ridiculous).

[musicaltheatrefan3]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:08pm

Yes, I do, and I don't really consider it stealing because those that are in the usher's stack don't necessarily belong to anyone, and they are free.

I also take leftover ones at seats. I'd never acquire the 710 Playbills that I currently have if I didn't do this!

[ABB2357]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:11pm

I'll admit to taking a stack of extra programs at a certain new musical (coughFIRSTWIVEScough) trying out at an undisclosed location in southern California (coughOLDGLOBEcough).

You laugh, but in 50 years they'll be making me a fortune on Ebay!

[blaxx]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:13pm

Yup, I'd buy one.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:15pm

I once saw Stephen Sondheim steal a playbill. He picked it up off the floor and everything.


(Actually, he carried it back and put it on the ushers' pile. It made me smile.)


WTF do you do with 710 playbills when they're all repeats?

Updated On: 11/13/09 at 07:15 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:15pm

"Yes, I do, and I don't really consider it stealing because those that are in the usher's stack don't necessarily belong to anyone, and they are free."

They don't belong to anyone?

Ah, the age old question. Which came first: The Playbill or the egg?

[mywonderwa11]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:17pm

Maybe I should start taking an extra playbill. One for me and one to sell in about fifteen years on Ebay lol

Luckily, I get to see shows during their preview, on opening night, or shortly after they open. So, the majority of my playbills are in color. But, if they were in black and white of COURSE I would steal one that I saw if it was in color.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:17pm

This thread is hilarious.

[jo]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:20pm

I don't think there were any color Playbills for A STEADY RAIN. The black and white artist rendering of the two lead characters looks excellent and would not be as artistically appealing if in color. I have bought an Opening Night Playbill of the show from Playbill.com and it is in black and white. I was lucky to have had it autographed by Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig when I first saw A STEADY RAIN ( before the BC/EFA campaign) ... just as I was lucky to have my Opening Night Playbill copy signed by Hugh for THE BOY FROM OZ.

I think the signed poster available in the BC/EFA campaign is also in black and white. My copy should arrive very soon and I can confirm it.

Btw, I have noticed that not too many Playbills were left behind by theatregoers after the show in the few times I was at the Schoenfeld.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:21pm

If you're taking extra color playbills, you probably are stealing because the producers paid for them.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:27pm

You guys in America are very lucky to get free Playbills, in the West End we have to buy Theatre Programmes and they cost anything between $6 - $14, but they do have a lot more info in them an some have production photos

[Eris0303]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:39pm

First off - Emma, you're a tool

Secondly, I have never stolen a playbill. If I need an extra one I ask. Is asking so hard?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:41pm

Didn't you see what Emma wrote? Nobody owns them! They're public property.

"Today I feel these playbills are really my personal property!"

[binau]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:42pm

"You guys in America are very lucky to get free Playbills, in the West End we have to buy Theatre Programmes and they cost anything between $6 - $14, but they do have a lot more info in them an some have production photos
"

I think they are different though. US have programs that cost money too, with photos etc.. and Info.

Playbills are like, advertising with a cast list and some biographies, aren't they? (I.e. programs in the UK aren't equivalent).

[Eris0303]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:42pm

Meet Emma and Winston

[dshnookie]

Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:43pm

jo, there are color playbills for ASR. The color ones have a navy/blueish tint.