Playbill Collectors

[Johnny's Fan]

This is a very interesting thread.

I personally, have never been to see a show in New York either on or off Broadway or even the West End. But I am a fan of the theatre even though I might not know the current actors in a production of something at the Majestic etc. I just live in the wrong part of the world to see all these shows.

I particularly enjoy learning about older productions from the 60's onwards - such as Promises Promises, Anything Goes, Grand Hotel etc - and when I can I try and listen to the original cast recordings and read up about the story of the productions and if ever a touring company was preforming one of these at my local theatre, then I would jump at the chance to see it. Which is exactly what I did when 42nd Street came around a few months ago.

So while I may not know everything about a specific production of something, I think I am entitled to write and ask for a playbill for something which I really enjoy listening to. It's all I have really, is the ability to listen to a recording and maybe find a little snippet on youtube. For example, I recently spent a lot of money and waited 6 weeks for delivery, of a box set of Broadway's Lost Treasures, which was probably one of the best things I have ever bought as I finally got to see clips from shows that I never thought I would get to see. So now as well as litening to CD's, for a couple of them, I know now what certain numbers look like.

I know "The Fantasticks" is currently playing at the Jerry Orbach theatre, which is an awesome tribute to him as he originated the role of El Gallo, so I would be honoured to have a playbill of that as not only is Jerry Orbach one of my favourite actors and singers, The Fantasticks is pretty awesome as well. But I don't like Mary Poppins and have never listened to Hair, so for me, asking for their playbills would be pointless and a waste of my time and the stage managers.

So why would I want a playbill of a show that I have never seen and just know the songs? Well I have always been fascinated by the American theatre, and I try and learn as much as I can about it. When I wrote to Angela Lansbury, I kicked myself that other people had asked for a playbill and I hadn't. So I was delighted when she sent me one anyway. Inside was the most wonderful mixture of adverts and information on so many things, it was a little piece of theatre and I loved the fact it was something that came all the way from New York and I own a little tiny part of it. Seriously, I was so happy to have a playbill I'm sure it was unnatural to be so excited.

So now I want more. Not tons more, but just more of the productions I like. Like Phantom of the Opera, the Lion King, Chicago etc. And if they were signed, that would be another piece of theatre history. Sure, I may not know all the names, but I'd still treasure it all the same. And who knows, maybe one day I'll be able to see a production for myself, and I'll recognise people from other shows.

And while I don't consider myself a playbill "collector", I too am a bit dismayed to see certain people with many playbill successes. It's just too easy for people. Or so it seems to me anyway. I would also like to know what they write in their letters, because I am worrying over my first request to the Phantom of the Opera, because I don't want to prattle on about how much I love the film and the original West End cast recording, but neither do I want them to think I know nothing about it, when I really do.

And while I have looked on ebay for playbills - only ones from years ago like Sweeney Todd and none of them are signed - I can understand how frustrating it must be to see playbills being sold. The stage managers don't have to do it, they could keep the playbills for people who are only there to watch, and I'll bet most people who pend $50+ on seats don't get playbills signed by so many.

Which is why I really appreciated what Angela Lansbury sent me - I told her I wouldn't be able to her show, and I mentioned how many greats shows I have missed and how much I enjoyed watching her on my Broadway DVD's which was the only way I could see her - and she must have realised by situation and she sent me a little bit of Broadway.

If I can get something from another production, I will count myelf very lucky, as they have no reason to send things to someone like myself.

[TheScarletPimpernel]

This is a very interesting thread.

I personally, have never been to see a show in New York either on or off Broadway or even the West End. But I am a fan of the theatre even though I might not know the current actors in a production of something at the Majestic etc. I just live in the wrong part of the world to see all these shows.

I particularly enjoy learning about older productions from the 60's onwards - such as Promises Promises, Anything Goes, Grand Hotel etc - and when I can I try and listen to the original cast recordings and read up about the story of the productions and if ever a touring company was preforming one of these at my local theatre, then I would jump at the chance to see it. Which is exactly what I did when 42nd Street came around a few months ago.

So while I may not know everything about a specific production of something, I think I am entitled to write and ask for a playbill for something which I really enjoy listening to. It's all I have really, is the ability to listen to a recording and maybe find a little snippet on youtube. For example, I recently spent a lot of money and waited 6 weeks for delivery, of a box set of Broadway's Lost Treasures, which was probably one of the best things I have ever bought as I finally got to see clips from shows that I never thought I would get to see. So now as well as litening to CD's, for a couple of them, I know now what certain numbers look like.

I know "The Fantasticks" is currently playing at the Jerry Orbach theatre, which is an awesome tribute to him as he originated the role of El Gallo, so I would be honoured to have a playbill of that as not only is Jerry Orbach one of my favourite actors and singers, The Fantasticks is pretty awesome as well. But I don't like Mary Poppins and have never listened to Hair, so for me, asking for their playbills would be pointless and a waste of my time and the stage managers.

So why would I want a playbill of a show that I have never seen and just know the songs? Well I have always been fascinated by the American theatre, and I try and learn as much as I can about it. When I wrote to Angela Lansbury, I kicked myself that other people had asked for a playbill and I hadn't. So I was delighted when she sent me one anyway. Inside was the most wonderful mixture of adverts and information on so many things, it was a little piece of theatre and I loved the fact it was something that came all the way from New York and I own a little tiny part of it. Seriously, I was so happy to have a playbill I'm sure it was unnatural to be so excited.

So now I want more. Not tons more, but just more of the productions I like. Like Phantom of the Opera, the Lion King, Chicago etc. And if they were signed, that would be another piece of theatre history. Sure, I may not know all the names, but I'd still treasure it all the same. And who knows, maybe one day I'll be able to see a production for myself, and I'll recognise people from other shows.

And while I don't consider myself a playbill "collector", I too am a bit dismayed to see certain people with many playbill successes. It's just too easy for people. Or so it seems to me anyway. I would also like to know what they write in their letters, because I am worrying over my first request to the Phantom of the Opera, because I don't want to prattle on about how much I love the film and the original West End cast recording, but neither do I want them to think I know nothing about it, when I really do.

And while I have looked on ebay for playbills - only ones from years ago like Sweeney Todd and none of them are signed - I can understand how frustrating it must be to see playbills being sold. The stage managers don't have to do it, they could keep the playbills for people who are only there to watch, and I'll bet most people who pend $50+ on seats don't get playbills signed by so many.

Which is why I really appreciated what Angela Lansbury sent me - I told her I wouldn't be able to her show, and I mentioned how many greats shows I have missed and how much I enjoyed watching her on my Broadway DVD's which was the only way I could see her - and she must have realised by situation and she sent me a little bit of Broadway.

If I can get something from another production, I will count myelf very lucky, as they have no reason to send things to someone like myself.

This is not aimed at you at all. In fact, I have no problem with the Londoners on this board anyway who write....If you wrote to something like "Next to Normal"...then I might be a little curious.

You've probably seen the movies &/or London versions of 'The Lion King,' or 'Phantom of the Opera' etc., and you won't be able to go to New York. Those are big market shows, and you clearly have done your research/you've lived within the realms of the cast recordings.

I have London show programmes simply because I loved the shows in New York and they seem more "important" .. like it's vice versa than what you have. You don't know playbills and you are more frequent to programmes. Not only that .. it costs you a lot more than it does the mass-collectors here in America. You clearly have dedication / don't care about the autographs necessarily, more of what the playbill can unfold for you? Cheezy I know..Haha.

Also should be noted: isn't the "Fantasticks" playing at the Snapple Theatre???

CHEWIE:

I don't know what you wrote, but I know plenty of people who have been getting requests back from Shrek The Musical steadily. So you either had an extra corny note or it got lost or something....?

[Johnny's Fan]

No, I figured it wasn't... I just thought I'd add my 2 cents.

Actually, if I was a Londoner I would be a much happier person... I've only even been once in my life and my Lord of the Rings one-time-only concert had to take precedence I'm afraid.

That's very true actually. Even if London theatres would send out the equivalent of playbills, I would still be more eager for something from New York, as Broadway seems a bit more... wahey, than the West End, probably because of the history and the fact it's not in the same country as me, which makes it a bit more special. And also that it would be the first place I would visit when I finally get to America.

And playbills are amazing reads for people like me. I know now the best places to eat before and after a show and all other kinds of wonderful stuff.

Hmm, I thought it was at the Jerry Orbach theatre. I'm sure I saw it listed on Playbill.com (which is the most awesome site ever... and I have already spent a few hundred pounds in the store on merchandise... well in my mind anyway! I'm definitely going to have to save up for the sparkly New York/Lion King t-shirt). I could be wrong though, and misread it.

[Chewie]

I believe the Snapple Theatre Center houses two theatres, one being the Jerry Orbach.

[TheScarletPimpernel]

I believe the Snapple Theatre Center houses two theatres, one being the Jerry Orbach.

I know it's complicated...I believe the Snapple Theatre itself is upstairs, I suppose the Jerry O one is on the ground floor.

[sgv123]

I used to have alot of signed playbills.... and I admit I sold most of them, but they were closed shows for the most part. I now only collect signed playbills, and request them ttm for shows that I have actually seen. I feel that the signed playbill has so much more meaning to me after I have seen the show and to have the signatures of people that I just saw up on stage. I will also request a signed playbill if it is signed by someone famous outside of the Broadway community.

[Johnny's Fan]

I believe the Snapple Theatre Center houses two theatres, one being the Jerry Orbach.

I know it's complicated...I believe the Snapple Theatre itself is upstairs, I suppose the Jerry O one is on the ground floor.

Ooh, that's interesting, I didn't know that. Do you know if any theatres are located on Jerry Orbach Way?

And I was wondering how everyone stores there Playbills. I noticed on the website they have special binders for them, so do people have those or just use ordinary binders.

[Playbiller]

I got this in the mail today! Two weeks and two days I waited! I loved seeing the mail lady actually put something in the box today lol Say it with me! "Mmm Gavin Creel!"

[Johnny's Fan]

Ouch. Can't believe someone has this on eBay at this price. I'm no expert but I'm guessing this is too expensive.

What a shame someone obviously got this to sell it.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SHREK-SIGNED-BROA ... 7C294%3A50

[TheScarletPimpernel]

Ouch. Can't believe someone has this on eBay at this price. I'm no expert but I'm guessing this is too expensive.

What a shame someone obviously got this to sell it.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SHREK-SIGNED-BROA ... 7C294%3A50

Exactly people ripping off the theatre. They can claim it's hand-signed all they want ( I didnt read the description of it), but it's absolutely not. I have an A Tale of Two Cities one I got in person, and one from the stage manager (Keep in mind this is my absolute favourite show of the past decade.) and they sign differently at the door. Same goes for the Legally Blonde successes I have compared mine too....



And Johnny's Fan:
Someone asked that question .. maybe not TWO pages ago on this thread so check it out. To sum it up, the PlaybillStore.com binders are a waste of money, just buy a regular binder / ACID-FREE sleeves. Or do what I/many do: Put them in a box or shelves.