Show Programs...On Their Way Out?

[BPfan81]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 5:48pm

Since I've been a theatre goer for a decade or so now, I do buy the show programs of shows I like and I've created quite a collection. I have done the same for concerts I've attended too. I've noticed, though, there aren't as many programs offered of shows anymore - am I wrong? I did not see one for Hello, Dolly for example, and the broadway shops around the theatre district don't have much of a selection. Anyone also notice this? Is this another thing that's being phased out due to this digital age we are being forced to embrace?

[msmp]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 6:03pm

There is definitely a Dolly program available at the Shubert. It's almost entirely Bette Midler, but once Bernadette took over the role, they added an insert which has a few pages of her and a couple shots of Victor Garber and Charlie Stemp. For some reason they don't have it listed in the online shop at the moment, but the merchandise stand during the show always had it when I went. And Theatre Circle/One Shubert Alley tend to keep a couple in stock.

Actually, the only musical I've been to recently that didn't have a program was Once on This Island but it seems they only just started offering them at Circle in the Square. I haven't seen any produced for plays of late, however, but the merchandise available at plays (other than major productions like Angels in America or Cursed Child tends to be more slim).

Updated On: 4/17/18 at 06:03 PM

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 6:04pm

Dolly has a program. You must have just missed it.

Almost every musical sells one within a month or so of opening, but the theatre souvenir store (next to the St James theatre) has a very small offering.

You’re better off to look online or go to the theatre directly.

I don’t think they are going out of style. If anything Broadway is offering a lot more souvenir items then they did a few years ago.

[haterobics]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 6:19pm

The Dolly program even got a Bernadette makeover...

[BPfan81]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 7:27pm

haterobics said: "The Dolly program even got a Bernadette makeover..."

Oh, so there is one - great! I must have missed it, yes. I usually go to Theatre Circle, is it? Across Phantom, the St. James theatre, I believe. I know the Shubert has a very tiny one, and honestly, if I don't see anyone in there I don't go in. I just feel uncomfortable being it's so small and relatively quiet. Is that where the program from Dolly is sold? I definitely want a window card too. I saw just the window card online. I know there was another broadway store under/near the Marquise Theatre, is it still there? Because it seems to me they have opened a Starbucks now. I've been out of my broadway memorabilia collecting phase for a few years now.. but definitely buying that Dolly!

[QueenAlice]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 7:37pm

No the store under the Marquis is long gone. And the store in Shubert Alley is owned by the same people who own the Theatre Circle across from Phantom. These stores do not carry very many souvenir programs. You are much better off going directly to where the theatre is playing or seeing if any are available on EBay.

[BPfan81]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 10:15pm

QueenAlice said: "No the store under the Marquis is long gone. And the store in Shubert Alley is owned by the same people who own the Theatre Circle across from Phantom. These stores do not carry very many souvenir programs. You are much better off going directly to where the theatre is playing or seeing if any are available on EBay."

Too bad...so I was right about that Starbucks being there! I might need to resort to ebAy - I haven't used it in ten years...maybe I could also get A Little Night Music playbill/program with Bernadette Peters since I missed it :)

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 4/17/18 at 10:46pm

The Starbucks has been there for over a decade at least, that's not where the Broadway store and other souvenir shops were. There used to be a pathway from Broadway into the parking lot entrance of the Marriott, next to where the box office for the theatre used to be (which is now on 46th street). The shops were on either side of that pathway, across the parking lot from the Starbucks. But they've been closed down for a number of years now, and they've been renovating the Marriott for quite some time. 

[aldudgeon]

Posted: 4/18/18 at 12:07am

It has been taking longer for some shows to come out with their programs recently. The theater shops do carry most of the current shows that are available, when they are made available. They used to carry a variety of closed show programs as well, but most merchandising companies have discontinued making the programs once the shows have closed nowadays.

Hello Dolly programs are currently only available at the theater because of the fact that they are the Bette programs with a small insert that includes Bernadette.

You can also check the online shops for the individual shows.

[BPfan81]

Posted: 4/19/18 at 10:53pm

aldudgeon said: "It has been taking longer for some shows to come out with their programs recently. The theater shops do carry most of the current shows that are available, when they are made available. They used to carry a variety of closed show programs as well, but most merchandising companies have discontinued making the programs once the shows have closed nowadays.

Hello Dolly programs are currently only available at the theater because of the fact that they are the Bette programs with a small insert that includes Bernadette.

You can also check the online shops for the individual shows."

Thanks for the info. I actually emailed at the show's online shop, http://hellodollyshop.com/ and they told me the program is sold out and to check back to see when it's back in stock. So I'll do that because I don't think I can get into the city anytime soon, even though I live an hour away.