Why does Playbill cover art go from color to black and white?- Page 2

[AndAllThatJazz22]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 10:03pm

I'm actually pretty sure that Black and White playbills are free while colored ones have a certain fee per booklet.

Updated On: 5/11/09 at 10:03 PM

[BlackCabbiTabbi]

Posted: 5/11/09 at 11:22pm

thanks yall!

[heo1128]

Posted: 5/12/09 at 12:13am

Yep, when I saw a few shows late March both Billy and Ave. Q had B&W playbills.

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/12/09 at 10:34am

"I'm actually pretty sure that Black and White playbills are free while colored ones have a certain fee per booklet."

And you'd be wrong. Playbill charges the production for the cover...black and white covers are about half of what color programs cost.

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 5/12/09 at 11:38am

Is Happiness b&w? That would be one playbill to suffer from a b&w playbill.

[Tom's Cat]

Posted: 5/12/09 at 2:33pm

Billy Elliot is a very expensive show to run so why waste it on color Playbills? On the other hand.... hasn't Wicken stayed in color?

[hotjohn]

Posted: 5/12/09 at 7:11pm

There is absolutely no reason for colour covers to cost more than black and white - a large percentage of the Playbill is printed in full colour (look at the back covers - they're in full colour). The only reason that shows go to black and white cover art is because Playbill charge the producers more for colour covers. The difference between printing a black and white or colour cover is so minimal it could hardly be calculated. Basically, Playbill are trying to screw as much money out of the productions as they can!

But don't forget, here in London we have to pay for our theatre programmes! Updated On: 5/12/09 at 07:11 PM

[bundy5000]

Posted: 5/12/09 at 7:50pm

Don't fret, next year the playbills will be digitally downloaded to everyone's Kindle!!!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 5/12/09 at 8:11pm

HAPPINESS is in color. Every LCT show is always in color for the entire run.

"I'm actually pretty sure that Black and White playbills are free while colored ones have a certain fee per booklet."

And you'd be wrong. Playbill charges the production for the cover...black and white covers are about half of what color programs cost.

YOU would be wrong. Black and White Playbills are provided to shows free of charge. They are paid for by the advertisers inside the Playbill. Producers have to pay a fee ONLY if they want color covers.

[BroadwayBoy2]

Posted: 5/12/09 at 10:41pm

Do you think LCT has more money than god? They seem to be very powerful.

[broadwayjoe476]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 10:47am

HotJohn: Your theatre programmes also include alot more than advertising, ie. pictures of the production and such, and interviews of the cast, etc. So I can see why the west end makes you pay for them.

And it really comes down to the almighty dollar. That's pretty much it.
Wicked has stayed in color for the entire run. Other shows like Disney shows as well. I only really see the shows that are selling out week after week staying in color, but thats my opinion. Updated On: 5/13/09 at 10:47 AM

[SandraDee]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 11:08am

The following taken from an AskPlaybill.com article:

"Question: Why are some Playbill covers in black and white, while others are in color?

Answer: According to Playbill Magazine Publisher and President Philip Birsh, Playbill gives the shows the choice, and they can have color if they pay for it. The black-and-white covers are provided free of charge."

http://www.playbill.com/features/article/112230-ASK_PLAYBILL.COM_Theatre_Size_Equity_Archives_and_Playbill_Covers

[Fosse76]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 2:41pm

"YOU would be wrong. Black and White Playbills are provided to shows free of charge. They are paid for by the advertisers inside the Playbill. Producers have to pay a fee ONLY if they want color covers."

Half wrong...and I was only going on information giving to me by an employee of Playbill. Color covers cost the production money. Period.

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 2:56pm

Wow, you're an ass. Just admit you were wrong, and don't go blaming someone else for YOUR rude behavior and mistake.

[DavidPatrickS82]

Posted: 5/13/09 at 4:30pm

Playbill gives everyshow color playbills free for previews and the first month they are open after opening night, then the show chooses whether to pay for color covers or just take the free black and white ones.

Source: I know someone that works at the Woodside location.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 5/15/09 at 5:37pm

I personally prefer color playbills but if black and white playbills don't cost jack then by all means stick with the black and white ones if it's gonna save money.