Playbill Stealing
Playbill Stealing
rmusic11322
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/07
#1Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 5:53pmI 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. :)
#2re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 5:57pmI've done this, but I don't see how this would constitute a story. Or stealing, for that matter!
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#2re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:24pm
Um, nce or twice I've taken more than one playbill.
Riveting story, huh?
PiraguaGuy2
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/10/08
#3re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:25pmAt $125 a ticket, I'm perfectly comfortable taking a forkliftful of the things.
Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08
#4re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:30pmI 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.
#5re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:44pmThis 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.
#7re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 6:46pmI 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".
#8re: Playbill Stealing
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#9re: Playbill Stealing
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).
#10re: Playbill Stealing
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!
#11re: Playbill Stealing
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
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/05
#12re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:13pmYup, I'd buy one.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
#13re: Playbill Stealing
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?
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Updated On: 11/13/09 at 07:15 PM
Wanting life but never knowing how
#14re: Playbill Stealing
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?
#15re: Playbill Stealing
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.
"Somethin's comin', I don't know what it is but it is gonna be great!"
jo
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#17re: Playbill Stealing
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.
#18re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:21pmIf you're taking extra color playbills, you probably are stealing because the producers paid for them.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Wanting life but never knowing how
#19re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:27pmYou 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
#20re: Playbill Stealing
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?
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#21re: Playbill Stealing
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!"
#22re: Playbill Stealing
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).
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#23re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:42pm
Meet Emma and Winston
"All our dreams can come true -- if we have the courage to pursue them." -- Walt Disney
We must have different Gods. My God said "do to others what you would have them do to you". Your God seems to have said "My Way or the Highway".
#24re: Playbill Stealing
Posted: 11/13/09 at 7:43pm
jo, there are color playbills for ASR. The color ones have a navy/blueish tint.
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