Rarest/most valuable playbills — Page 3

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.

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.

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

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 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

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.

BOBBI BOLAND

ANOTHER EVENING WITH HARRY STOONES

THE FROGS (with Chris Kattan)

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

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

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.

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 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!