Why are some Playbills Black and White Instead of Colour?

Hi. I'm a fan from Canada who just came back from a weeklong trip to see plays in NYC this past week.

I have a collection of Playbills and always wondered - why are some playbills for certain shows only in black and white? I'm not talking about shows whose logos are black and white, but shows with color logos that hand our playbills that are.

For example, I went to see Chicago and The Little Foxes this week, and while both posters are in color, the playbill covers were only in black and white.

It can't be to save on printing costs because the Playbill banner is yellow, and the advertising on the back is always in full color. And it can't be because of a rotating cast (if it's the original or not) because I've had this problem with both original and replacement casts.

I've always been curious if there was a reason, but I find it really disappointing for anyone who collects their Playbills enthusiastically, and takes pride in their collection. Does anyone know why this is?

For the sake of my argument, let me tell you what I saw last week between Wednesday, April 25th and Sunday, April 30th.

Shows with Color Playbills: The Lion King, Oslo, Miss Saigon, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Shows with Color Posters but Black and White Playbills: The Little Foxes and Chicago (A friend of mine saw Phantom of the Opera, and that playbill was also black and white)

We also saw Sunset Boulevard and The Price, but those show posters are supposed to be monochromatic.

Last year on my annual trip I also saw Fun Home, Something Rotten and Spring Awakening, and they all also had this problem in 2015/2016.

So what's going on? Does anyone know??

There is a huge cost difference involved.  In general, color Playbills cost the producer approximately $2500 per month extra --- while b/w are free (meaning no surcharge for the cover).  That's why shows usually only absorb this cost for the first few months of the run --- when the industry and other VIPs are most likely to attend.

I like color playbills myself. If B/W I cut a colored ad or pamphlet or brochure and neatly paste it in the playbill. It looks just as good on my scrapbook.

I don't feel like digging through my Playbills to find the MTC ones to check but I think they're mostly b&w. Roundabout also does the b&w Playbills.

I do recall the Venus in Fur and Murder Ballad Playbills being in black & white. And Roundabout's always are too.

And any color advertising in them is from the advertiser.  They pay to have their ads included.