Rarest/most valuable playbills- Page 3

[Leaf Coneybear]

Posted: 4/24/21 at 11:25am

I don't have many, but I did see Hamilton right when it came out and have a playbill signed by the entire OBC except for Phillipa.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/25/21 at 10:59am

This is an aside but I was talking to a few autograph dealers and authenticators. They said that signed playbills rarely have value because the signatures are rushed and can very rarely be authenticated. Only Playbills with a full, clear signed name have value. I know most only get signatures for their own memory and pleasure but I found it interesting.

He also said that most celebs will only squiggle on things now because they know about the resale market and won’t collude with it.

One actually said that SJBs on Playbills are worthless but Stephanie’s full signature is very beautiful and has great value. I thought that was funny that he knew who she was and singled her out. He also said Alice Ripley’s “pre Next To Normal” signature has value as it is more rare.

[VintageSnarker]

Posted: 4/25/21 at 3:39pm

That makes sense. I don't know how anyone would authenticate Idina's If/Then signature when the stage door started getting crazy around Frozen or the K that Keira Knightley signed for Therese Raquin. Even with full signatures, I don't think anything I have is that valuable, except to me. I doubt they're very rare but I am happy with the older Playbills I've found at the Flea like The Apple Tree, Chicago, Bells Are Ringing, etc. 

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/26/21 at 9:22am

VintageSnarker said: "That makes sense. I don't know how anyone would authenticate Idina's If/Then signature when the stage door started getting crazy around Frozen or the K that Keira Knightley signed for Therese Raquin. Even with full signatures, I don't think anything I have is that valuable, except to me. I doubt they're very rare but I am happy with the older Playbills I've found at the Flea like The Apple Tree, Chicago, Bells Are Ringing, etc."

Yes, I like older Playbills too. The older the better because they are a time capsule. They tell you the other shows playing, what restaurants were open and what products were being advertised. I enjoy reading them.  

 

[darreyl102]

Posted: 4/28/21 at 1:15am

I have a playbill from the elephant Man with David Bowie in the title role that I really love.
I also own a playbill from the original production of the wiz, with an understudy slip in it that says "at this performance the role of Glinda will be played by Phylicia Ayers-Allen", who of course would later go on to be known more famously as Phylicia Rashad. I would consider that pretty rare since most of the time understudy slips aren't saved or get lost.

Updated On: 4/28/21 at 01:15 AM

[History saver]

Posted: 5/26/21 at 10:35pm

I have the rarest collection of playbills 

more than 150 dating from  1890 to 1905

the biggest stage actors of the era from theaters  in New York, Boston , Philadelphia, New Haven 

these are truly must see would love to share them

[Famebroadway2]

Posted: 12/11/23 at 12:28pm

I just realized that I have 2 Carrie the musical Broadway souvenir programs in storage!  Dunno how I got 2. LOL  

These were never sold at the theatre because the show closed so fast. Anyway, I am going to list one on Ebay, but not sure how much to ask for it.  Any suggestions? 

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 12/11/23 at 1:16pm

I have some playbills that I really cherish

original Merrily playbill, signed by few OBC

original bway Sunday, signed by both Bernadette and Mandy

Opening night playbill of passion, signed by Marin Mazzie, Jere Shea and Donna Murphy

OBC Follies signed by Dorothy Collins

with few full-cast signed Sondheim revival playbills: Company with Esparza, Sweeney with Cerveris  and LuPone

All six versions of last Company revival - opening night  / regular one signed by the entire cast, other four with Sondheim cover signed by Patti.

Not a paybill, but Julie Andrews signed Original London programme 

Matthew Perry signed playbill of The End of Longing (not a good show, but I love MP)

Carol Channing signed OB Hello Dolly

 

I try to keep all the programmes / playbills from the shows I have seen. I am at some point, it will become out-of-control 

I would also love to collect all the Sondheim OBC / OC playbills, if possible.

Updated On: 12/11/23 at 01:16 PM

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 12/11/23 at 4:32pm

spicemonkey said: "I would also love to collect all the Sondheim OBC / OC playbills, if possible."

After Sondheim passed in 2021, I began to collect all major (and some minor) Playbills related to him - most NYC, but some London and a few other places. I have collected Playbills from productioons f his shos, benefit concerts, and others (like from his Memorial). It became an obsession of mine and I now have 20 3" binders full - over 300 Playbills!!! Like a comic book collector, I even got into collecting various covers (i.e. the 2021 COMPANY revival had 8 different covers). I am only missing a scant few at this point (unless or until I decide to expand to more London programs - LOL!!!) I'm only in need of a few really rare things like A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and MARRY ME A LITTLE from York Playhouse Off-Broadway, CANDIDE from the Lincoln Center concert with Patti & Kristin, COMPANY from Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (I branched out to pre-Broadway runs), FOLLIES from the Equity Library Theatre, INTO THE WOODS from The Old Globe (pre-Broadway), MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG from the Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration (don't know why this one is so hard to find since I have all the others), and a few Opening Night editions that are harder to come by. Other than my family, my Sondheim Playbill collection is my most prized possession!!! It's taken a LOT of time and money to put it together and I am incredibly proud of it!!!

Updated On: 12/11/23 at 04:32 PM

[annang]

Posted: 12/12/23 at 7:37pm

Broadway Bob* said: the 2021 COMPANY revival had 8 different covers

I can only think of 7: the purple one with Lenk on the cover, Opening Night, the 4 Sondheim covers from May 2022, and the 2022 Pridebill. What am I forgetting?

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 12/12/23 at 8:08pm

I have some good ones that I'll never part ways with. 

• Hamilton OBC (Opening Night Unsigned) 
• Phantom OBC (February 1988) is another treasure to me!
• Company 2021 Revival (Signed by the full cast, including Patti)
• Waitress signed by Sara (Second run in the show)
• My Fair Lady 2018 LCT Revival (Opening Night, signed by most of the OG cast, including the late Diana Rigg)
• Death of a Salesman (1999 Revival in Color)

I'm sure I have a few more good ones, but those are the ones I can remember off the top of my head. 

 

[sittingovation]

Posted: 12/13/23 at 11:03pm

Without digging deep into my collection.....the one that pops into my head is the 3389 record breaking performance of A CHORUS LINE (even signed by Donna McKechnie).  That was one of the greatest musical theatre experiences in my lifetime.  

Plus, I have a MOOSE MURDERS opening night playbill.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 7:01am

BOBBI BOLAND

ANOTHER EVENING WITH HARRY STOONES

THE FROGS (with Chris Kattan)

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 8:51am

annang said: "Broadway Bob* said: the 2021 COMPANY revival had 8 different covers

I can only think of 7: the purple one with Lenk on the cover, Opening Night, the 4 Sondheim covers from May 2022, and the 2022 Pridebill. What am I forgetting?"

Technically you are correct. I was counting the post-pandemic re-opening performance, but that was just the basic cover a with a special sticker celebrating the return. Sorry for the confusion.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 8:53am

Hard to say obviously what is rare, or most valuable. One can only deem what those items are in their own collection. For me, I have a playbill from The Rink signed by Chita and Liza. I also have a Playbill from The Pajama Game, with an insert stating that the role of Gladys usually played by Carol Haney, will be played by Shirley MacLaine. Not sure how often this happened, so I'd like to believe it was from the infamous night Shirley MacLaine was discovered. 

I also have 1 that I have never seen anywhere before: an original cast Playbill of West Side Story from the week of Nov. 25, 1957, with a generic drawing as the cover. If this was from previews or around opening night, it would make sense, but not 2 months into the run.

Updated On: 12/14/23 at 08:53 AM

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 10:21am

Anyone Can Whistle has gotta be up there as most valuable, simply because of the short run, length of time since it opened, and the pedigree of the talent involved on & off stage. Esp if signed by anyone, because all the major people are dead now.

[CopleyScott17]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 1:13pm

From February of 2020 just before the Covid shutdown, I have "Hangmen" and "The Minutes" (which didn't officially open), and "West Side Story" (which didn't last long). I doubt they're valuable, but maybe they're pretty rare? 

Updated On: 12/14/23 at 01:13 PM

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 2:46pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Anyone Can Whistle has gotta be up there as most valuable, simply because of the short run, length of time since it opened, and the pedigree of the talent involved on & off stage. Esp if signed by anyone, because all the major people are dead now."

When I started my Sondheim collection, I knew this one would be one of my holy grails. I was amazed when one FINALLY showed up on eBay AND it was a "Premiere Performance" (aka Opening Night) Playbill!!! I'm not ashamed to admit I cried a little when I won it!

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 3:47pm

CopleyScott17 said: "From February of 2020 just before the Covid shutdown, I have "Hangmen" and "The Minutes" (which didn't officially open), and "West Side Story" (which didn't last long). I doubt they're valuable, but maybe they're pretty rare?"

The real valuable one from pre-Covid is VIRGINIA WOLF, probably. Or WEST SIDE. These things could also increase in value as time goes by, especially if any of the stars become big.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 4:18pm

I’m a Playbill hoarder and have saved mine from every show I’ve seen. But here are some of my favorites that I’ve thrifted over the past few years:

Guys and Dolls OBC

Promises, Promises OBC

On the Twentieth Century w/ Judy Kaye

Nine OBC

Nine w/ original revival cast

Kiss Me Kate w/ Stokes and Mazzie

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 6:54pm

Broadway Bob* said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Anyone Can Whistle has gotta be up there as most valuable, simply because of the short run, length of time since it opened, and the pedigree of the talent involved on & off stage. Esp if signed by anyone, because all the major people are dead now."

When I started my Sondheim collection, I knew this one would be one of my holy grails. I was amazed when one FINALLY showed up on eBay AND it was a "Premiere Performance" (aka Opening Night) Playbill!!! I'm not ashamed to admit I cried a little when I won it!"

I have a OBC Company playbill with “premiere performance” date. But it’s different from the actual opening night date. I’ve always been wondering what’s the difference between those two?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 8:09pm

COMPANY started preview performances at the Alvin Theatre on Wednesday April 15, 1970. Opening Night is historically listed as Sunday April 26, 1970 and reviews came out that night but their “Premiere Performance” is listed as Saturday April 25, 1970. 

[spicemonkey]

Posted: 12/14/23 at 8:27pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "COMPANY started preview performances at the Alvin Theatre on Wednesday April 15, 1970. Opening Night is historically listed as Sunday April 26, 1970 and reviews came out that night but their “Premiere Performance” is listed as Saturday April 25, 1970."

Thank you so much for the info!