Theaters receive b&w for free and pay for color. It's not uncommon for shows to switch in the leaner months.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
not sure what you are on about. as I glance to my collection of framed playbills over 50% of them are b&w none from the past couple of months. a lot of shows switch to b&w as some point in their run and some have a b&w from the start. While that is true it is not something that started happening in the last few months.
if you go to a production that has switched to b&w and you would like a color one for a keepsake you can usually find one on eBay for a couple dollars.