Playbill Collectors

[Chewie]

It's probably been mentioned somewhere in this thread, but do touring casts in cities like LA and Chicago distribute cast-signed playbills or the equivalent? And what about theatres in London?

[TheScarletPimpernel]

It's probably been mentioned somewhere in this thread, but do touring casts in cities like LA and Chicago distribute cast-signed playbills or the equivalent? And what about theatres in London?

In London, you can attempt to send a picture or what they commonly do is fliers/handouts. There equivalent of a playbill is called a "Programme" (program haha) and cost money. They are not free. You can usuall buy the programme's from a productions website. I have written to four West End musicals requesting a programme/signed or unsigned. Here's my results: Money (USD $5) & SASE to all of these: 'Gone with the Wind' - NO, 'Les Miserables' - NO, 'Phantom of the Opera' - NO and 'Sound of Music' - NO. I have written to plenty theatrical stars and just about all of them respond, generally sending a headshot and a flier of their show. I sent money to 3 of them, got the money back once and a programme twice - Ruthie Henshall in 'Marguerite' and the American Jill Paice in 'Gone with the Wind', both of which flopped and closed last year. Linzi Hateley who just left 'Mamma Mia!' in London returned the money and sent me a flier.


It's tricky for tours - most don't, and if they do signed anything, it's for fundraising for BC/EFA. If you know a specific tour is collecting, send maybe $3-5 for their donations and request one (Legally Blonde: The Musical has been collecting I know), but it's a ginourmous risk. Most don't carry playbills/showbills/showcases/programs around the country with them. Best to write to an individual and mention they you'd like their and the cast autograph, but don't tick them off. Just because you think someone like "Patti LuPone (who wouldn't be in a touring production these days anyway) is one of the main ones your after, she'd probably laugh in your face that you're requesting hers AND the cast. I've written to SEVERAL, and have received ONE - The Sweeney Todd National Tour (which closed in 2007) through Lauren Molina. I didn't even ask for a cast-one, just her autograph on a playbill .

Shows that are stationed somewhere, such as Wicked in San Francisco (and previously Chicago / etc.) who are there for an OPEN-ENDED run, then yes, they generally do them. Mary Poppins I believe is in Chicago now - it's the start of the tour, but is theoretically open-ended/there for a while still, so I wouldn't be surprised. If the tour of "The Colour Purple" comes around your town for one week, then no, probably not. But in Chicago especially, several shows are THERE.

The only tour that I believe that will do it is Wicked. I hear they have an agency located in New York specifically for touring casts (they now have 2), but just about every other tour doesn't have that luxory.

Good luck - any other Q's please let me know!

[Chewie]

Thanks! That's what I intended to mean was stationed casts in LA and Chicago.

For the London one, I wanted to try Jude Law at the production of Hamlet he's doing. I figured if they did a cast signed playbill type thing I might as well just request that, but I'll just send a picture to him.

As far as Chicago I am going to try William L. Petersen via "Blackbird" when he's there. It runs for a almost a month - any chance they would have a playbill/program? Otherwise I'll just send a photo there too.

Thanks!

[khackdrums]

Thanks! That's what I intended to mean was stationed casts in LA and Chicago.

For the London one, I wanted to try Jude Law at the production of Hamlet he's doing. I figured if they did a cast signed playbill type thing I might as well just request that, but I'll just send a picture to him.

As far as Chicago I am going to try William L. Petersen via "Blackbird" when he's there. It runs for a almost a month - any chance they would have a playbill/program? Otherwise I'll just send a photo there too.

Thanks!

I'm sure they will have program's, but I'm not 100% sure Victory Gardens Theater sends out cast-signed ones. I'm sure if you write a letter directly to him he will sign one for you!

Khackdrums

[TheScarletPimpernel]

To be honest, for touring & REGIONAL productions, it's best to just write to the actor individually. If it's in a regional theatre, and I hate to say this, mostly they figure no one would want their autographs (or all in a big jumbo-group) because they aren't theoretically name-billing, or on Broadway. Hey, most of them aren't even in the Actors Equity Association. It's good to have humble pie though .

[Playbiller]

I'm trying to write to Kendra Kassebaum. Last I heard she was playing Glinda in the LA production of Wicked. I had thought she was in the NY production because the signed playbill that came to me was signed by her. I got overly excited, wrote up a letter, applied postage, and sent a letter off to NY before checking online first. (I know, I'm an idiot.)

So far, I've received nothing. I had hoped the would forward it (which is highly doubtful I know, but I was trying to be positive), but I don't expect anything back. I'm hoping now that maybe they've kept it at the Gershwin in a fanmail bin for her or something. FAT CHANCE. I feel like I wasted postage lol

ANYWAY: THE MAIN QUESTION IS THIS:

Does anyone know how I can write to the LA production of Wicked?

[Gracie84]

um the LA production of Wicked closed. I know a couple of the cast moved up to the San Francisco production of Wicked.

Kendra was in NY one, she might have been in the LA one too, she is now in the San Francisco production of Wicked along with Teal Wicks, who was in the LA production.

But yeah, the LA production of Wicked closed.

You can write Kendra and Teal at the San Francisco production though, they are fairly good with fanmail since I tried both of them.

The address is
Orpheum Theatre
1192 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94102

[Chewie]

I had a success from the cast of Accent on Youth a few days ago. Received a playbill signed by the cast, including David Hyde Pierce.

I also received an RTS from the Norman Conquests address yesterday. Playbill.com had the incorrect address posted. I check the theatre website, got the correct address, and already contacted playbill.com and asked if they could fix it. I will re-send soon...

[TheScarletPimpernel]

I also received an RTS from the Norman Conquests address yesterday. Playbill.com had the incorrect address posted. I check the theatre website, got the correct address, and already contacted playbill.com and asked if they could fix it. I will re-send soon...

Sometimes (and plenty of times) the Box Office address (which is posted on Playbill.com) is different from the stage door address, which is where fanmail is often sent to.




On another note, it is extremely possible in your one instant that your letter may be forwarded to Ms. Kendra (I saw her on Broadway two years ago - very talented/my favourite part of that cast!). Wicked reportedly has an entire office (pretty much across the street from the Gershwin) where all the fanmail is sent and sorted. I've heard that's where you can write the national tours as well, but I do not know the address. I would assume since she's still involved within the Wicked community they *may* forward it to her, but you can never be too sure. And as another note: WICKED is the ONLY show to have this "fanmail office" (check your return addresses from the stage managers...you'll see it's sometimes different from the Gershwin), NO OTHER show has one and is strictly upon the stage management/backstage managers teams.

[Playbiller]

um the LA production of Wicked closed. I know a couple of the cast moved up to the San Francisco production of Wicked.

Kendra was in NY one, she might have been in the LA one too, she is now in the San Francisco production of Wicked along with Teal Wicks, who was in the LA production.

But yeah, the LA production of Wicked closed.

You can write Kendra and Teal at the San Francisco production though, they are fairly good with fanmail since I tried both of them.

The address is
Orpheum Theatre
1192 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94102

I meant San Francisco lol. Thank you so much! I had a brainfart yet again. That's what I get for not eating my Wheaties lol Thank you so much!