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

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

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

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

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

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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

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.

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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

"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.

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.