The Death of the Understudy Slip- Page 4

[BoringBoredBoard40]

Posted: 1/14/26 at 1:53pm

I'm still not sure why so many shows are still using the paper slips

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 1/14/26 at 2:26pm

Equity just stopped requiring them yesterday so most shows will drop them this week.

[Kad]

Posted: 1/14/26 at 2:50pm

Although the the slips are no longer required, there's no prohibition on them. Any production could continue to use them if they wanted. 

[Lisalemann]

Posted: 1/14/26 at 3:31pm

I hate having to go to a QR code for anything in a program - but I'm old :) I will say I saw what Just in Time did this week with Matt Magnuson doing Bobby Darin during Groff's vacation and I thought it was really cool. They reprinted the programs with Matt's name above the title. Groff's picture is still on the front of the playbill - but it has actually printed accurate playbills for this week with Matt's name on it.  Obviously not feasible for normal understudy and swing performances - but I still thought it was pretty cool for just a one week run.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/14/26 at 8:12pm

Went to see Chess last week and saw the QR code in the corner, not really obvious at all. If I didn't look for it, I would've just assumed who I'm seeing on the stage is the cast printed in the Playbill itself. Didn't like it.

Also, is it me or have the "At This Theatre..." disappear also? Last couple of shows I saw since December didn't have that page about the theatre also.

[Jonathan Cohen]

Posted: 1/15/26 at 12:09am

Getting rid of understudy slips really drives me nuts, not because I'm against it in a vacuum but The Broadway League is being really selective in what they consider wasteful. At least those slips are giving me information I'll look at. The full color inserts I often get in Playbills reminding me to turn off my phone I'm sure are more expensive to make and are pretty redundant, as ushers are paid to make the same point.

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 1/15/26 at 12:13am

I got an “At This Performance” cast slip at RAGTIME this evening. 

[chrishuyen]

Posted: 1/15/26 at 12:15pm

I saw Chess last night and forgot about this change, even after seeing the board in the lobby.  I still think it would help to have some sort of signage about "there are swings/understudies on today, check the QR code in your program" in case people miss the board.

[CJRochester]

Posted: 1/27/26 at 11:16am

Playbill gives an update on this. More shows will join the new process in February. 

https://playbill.com/article/playbill-launches-at-this-playbill-to-credit-understudies-standbys-alternates

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 2:46pm

BVSC and Chicago have been added

 

https://linktr.ee/broadwaycastboards

[fray3]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 9:42pm

I know this is technically off-broadway, but when I saw spelling bee a few weeks ago I think it had a paper in it.

[Mr. Wormwood]

Posted: 2/3/26 at 10:14pm

This change doesn't bother me a ton but I will riot if the actual Playbill ever goes digital only (or something annoying like having to pay extra for a hard copy).

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/4/26 at 7:40am

ACL2006 said: "BVSC and Chicago have been added



https://linktr.ee/broadwaycastboards"

 

Now & Juliet and Hadestown have been added.

Updated On: 2/4/26 at 07:40 AM