playbill/program

[DARK ZODIAC]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 11:17am

Does anyone know if there is a difference between a playbill and a program. I am to the Ambassador Theatre and I need to know which to ask for.Thanks!

Posted: 9/28/03 at 11:26am

"Playbill"...i proviced to each theatre goer at no charge when he/she enter the theatre. While specific to the show being seen the Playbill has general interest information about the current Broadway season.

A programme is offered for sale ($10=$15), generally in the lobby of the theatre or at the back of the orchestra. The programme is specific to the show being seen.

Cheers. Bulldog

[DARK ZODIAC]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 11:33am

Thank you.It has taken 6 weeks to find out this much ,so I'm guessing I could ask for either no major difference.

[DARK ZODIAC]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 11:33am

Thank you.It has taken 6 weeks to find out this much ,so I'm guessing I could ask for either no major difference.

Posted: 9/28/03 at 11:34am

The difference is one is "Free" and one is $10 or $15.

BB

[DARK ZODIAC]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 11:39am

The theatre wouldn't have to pay though...........or maybe they would.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 12:12pm

WHAT are you talking about? (Just looking for a little clarification here.)

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 12:19pm

In London, there is no free playbill. You can get a basic hybrid of a program & a playbill but you must buy it. It is less than a program as I remember.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 12:35pm

It's been a few years...but the playbill/program I have from POTO at Her Majesty's in London was about $4(US). That's the only printed program they offer. It's about 30% bigger than our US playbills and offers a lot more about the show, bio and extras. Don't know if things have changed accross the pond.

[DARK ZODIAC]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 12:36pm

Like I said earlier I couldn't imagine the stars of the shows paying for a program.What does everyone else think??

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 12:37pm

Playbills have always been free in the US.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 1:13pm

dark zodiac~ stars rarely, if ever "pay for" any press related items. The show's mgmt. is responsible for that , as it's also part of the expense put out to run a show.
Even publicity photos of that actor in character are part of the show's expenses. Only personal headshots are usually secured and paid for by an actor.

[Alix]

Posted: 9/28/03 at 2:34pm

I have a similar question...what is the difference between a Playbill and Showbill? thanks!

Alix

Posted: 9/28/03 at 2:38pm

Play = Broadway
Show = off-Broadway

Both published by the same concern. in the last few years there is a tendency to use Playbill for both on/off B'way.

[DARK ZODIAC]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 1:04pm

Thanx.But I was actually wondering wheter they (the stars)could take a program for their own use for free or if like everyone else they would have to pay.

[Starlight]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 1:20pm

If you want them to sign a program its actually better if you can go to the stage door with it. The performer probably wouldn't be able to get a program to send to you...programs are usually sold through a company like Theatre Stuff, Inc. that the show contracts for merchandise. But they could probably get a playbill without much trouble. In addition, programs are pretty big and it would need a lot of postage and a really big envelope...playbills can be sent in a simple 6x9 envelope usually.

[QueenS]

Posted: 9/29/03 at 2:11pm

Clarification re: Playbill vs Showbill.

Both are companies that provide non-souvenir programs to audiences. Up until recently, Showbill was rarely seen in NYC but often found in Chicago and other major cities. The Lion King was the first Broadway show to decide to use Showbill instead of the widely used Playbill (which does Off-Broadway as well as Broadway, although they are expensive so many Off-Broadway companies create their own program).

Showbill can cater some of the inside info towards specific info and articles about the show, while the Playbill article section will be the same in every Playbill that month (differing on how much space the show info takes).

The production company pays for either of these, but then distributes them free to the audience. The souvenir programmes can be bought as described in other posts.

Zodiac, you will not have to ask for a Playbill, it will be given to you as you are seated (unless you are seeing Cabaret, in which it will be available after the show). You will have little trouble finding a souvenir programme, as the sellers are hard to miss.