"Showbill" vs "Playbill"

[Albin]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 7:23pm

My folks went to The Lion King and got a Showbill. I thought all Broadway shows gave out a "Playbill." Whats the diff?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 7:24pm

there's a thread about this...

[Albin]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 7:26pm

Thanks. Care to add something constructive?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 7:27pm

would you like the link?

it has the answer there?

Its the Off-Broadway question thread, right below this one... Updated On: 12/22/04 at 07:27 PM

[Albin]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 7:32pm

Wouldn't it have been easier just to type a short answer to my question?

Updated On: 12/23/04 at 07:32 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 7:35pm

no, i didn't remember exactly the difference - so i did not wanna give you wrong info...

[gherbert]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 7:43pm

Not an expert, but I know a little. There's no difference at all, it just has to do with the theatre and what company they use. Remember, the New Amsterdam is owned by Disney while most Broadway theaters are owned by the Nederlander, Shubert, and Jujamcyn Organizations.

In fact, I believe that Stagebill is a sub-company of Playbill.

There's no difference as to what the actual program contains.

Hope this helps!

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 7:47pm

Disney just tries to scrounge and save every penny.

[timote316]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 9:37pm

But the thing I don't get is Aida and BatB use Playbills...

[gherbert]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 9:39pm

Aida and Beauty and the Beast are both in theatres owned by the Nederlander. It is the contract with the THEATRE owners, not the producers of the particular production.

[PJ]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 9:53pm

I remember a few years ago "Cabaret" had Showbills. I believe it was when Brooke Shields was starring as Sally. Soo...that must have been, what, summer of 2001?

[timote316]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 10:05pm

Hm, I did not know that about the Play/Show -bills being with the theater. Thanks gherbert!

[maybethistime]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 10:09pm

yea- cabaret has had serveral changes
its had a plain wierd oen with the picture of the emcees eyes through the door says showbill, the regular one with the yellow box saying showbill, and the regulary one with the yellow box saying playbill...
i think its just shifts within the theatre company.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 10:15pm

Cabaret was actually, to my understanding, forced to use the showbill company because Playbill was pissed that the programs were being handed out at the end of the performance to keep with the night club setting... so I'm not sure they're the same company but could be like a sub branch or something... I dunno...

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 10:16pm

Hmm.

Methinks Playbill is just a little too uptight then.

[AnothaPartofMe]

Posted: 12/22/04 at 11:57pm

And there is no contractual obligation for tours. Equity uses PLAYBILL, but non-Equity can use whatever they contract to.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 12:25am

When CABARET and THE LION KING first opened - like literally first opened - they had Stagebills. They were full color with no yellow "bar" on top. CABARET soon changed to Playbills and THE LION KING to Showbills. Showbills are the same as Playbills, but without all the articles in them. They only contain information about that particular show, and maybe one random article on that show. Right now, only THE LION KING and 42nd STREET use Showbills, and no shows use Stagebills anymore.

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 12:32am

Doesn't it have something to do with Ford vs. Cadillac?

[Swiftynifty15]

Posted: 12/23/04 at 6:15pm

Lion King on Tour gives out Playbill's and Lion King on Broadway give out Showbills.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 12/29/06 at 9:41pm

What is this On Stage thing?

http://stubetech.tripod.com/cabaretpb.jpg Updated On: 12/29/06 at 09:41 PM