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| Author | Topic: OT: Random Question |
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 mrbig
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Registered:
6/16/2003
From:
Dallas, Texas
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| posted: 7/17/2003 at 1:05:18 AM ET
I have a random question! When you attend certain Broadway shows they give you a "SHOWbill" magazine. At most Broadway shows they give you a "PLAYbill" magazine. Why are their two different names for these programs? I haven't figured that one out yet! Thanks!
mrbig from big d
"No matter what you say, Children Will Listen..."
|  UCFGuardgirl
Registered User
Registered:
6/15/2003
From:
New York City | posted: 7/17/2003 at 3:49:33 PM ET
YAY! One I can answer! lol.
Actually, the name of the magazine (the one handed out at shows) that you're thinking of -- the one that is NOT Playbill -- is 'Stagebill,' and the difference is that it's run by another company. Playbill is the one that I believe most shows tend to contract with, but some shows (and I think it has something to do with the company that stages the show with the theatre; they're the ones who choose the method of stage-billing) use 'Stagebill.' From what I understand, Roundabout theatre company, which stages 'Cabaret' at Studio 54, always uses 'Stagebill.' Does that answer your question?
***************
"I'm not good I'm not bad I'm just right. I'm the witch; you're the world. I'm the hitch; I'm what no one believes, I'm the witch. You're all liars and thieves...oh, why bother?"
-- Into the Woods
|  Bernadette-Fanatic
Registered User
Registered:
6/11/2002 | posted: 7/17/2003 at 5:02:52 PM ET
There actually is a Showbill, as well as a Stagebill.
A Stagebill and a Playbill aren't easily confused because they both look so different and are both run by different companies. However, there are theatres that use Showbill.
The Ford Center for the Performing Arts (where 42nd Street is) and The New Amsterdam (where the Lion King is) both get their programs printed from Showbill.
So back to the question at hand: how are Showbill and Playbill different. They are both exactly the same in appearance. (Except for the name, of coure, but same font even!) The difference, I believe, is that Showbill is a smaller division of Playbill. Showbill programs even have the exact same articles in them as Playbills do!
Does this help at all?
| UCFGuardgirl
Registered User
Registered:
6/15/2003
From:
New York City | posted: 7/17/2003 at 5:37:10 PM ET
My bad, Bernadette-fanatic; you are right. I had forgotten about the sister publication. Actually, I went back to my research (I'm going to grad school for publishing, and was, a few months ago, actually reading up on the specifics of theatre publications and who puts them out. I was considering magazine publishing over book publishing.) Anyway, this is what I have in my notes:
Stagebill is an entirely seperate entity from Playbill and Showbill. Showbill is, in fact the sister publication (and the smaller, less-prestigious) version of Playbill. So there are 3 publications that the theatres generally use, but one is owned by Playbill and the other is a competitor.
The difference between all three, (or why certain shows use one over the other)essentially, is the advertising.
Theatrical billers (like Playbill) provide their magazines to the theatre free of charge, because they get their revenue not from the theatre but from the companies who place the ads in the bill. So, often, the decision (for the company behind the production) as to what bill to go with is dependent on who is advertizing merchandise in the bill.
The Ford Center, for instance (who produce the revival of 42nd Street) decided to go with Showbill (instead of Playbill) because Playbill often features advertisements for big names like Chevrolet in their bill. Obviously, the Ford Center for the Performing Arts is not the place that wants to advertise Chevrolet. So instead of going with Playbill, which is the bigger publication, The Ford Center went with the smaller bill so they could have more advertising control.
Studio 54, which produces Cabaret, went with Stagebill because they hand out their programs following the performance and not before; Playbill was not willing to provide the bills after the performance (and rightfully so, given that it would not allow time for people to browse the advertisements before the performance.) Stagebill then "graciously" stepped in and offered their services.
The reason that Disney (Lion King, Aida, B&B) generally goes with Stagebill is because it is the lesser known theatre bill of ALL three, and therefore, Disney has almost complete control over the advertising placements. (Which is important for a company that has a stake in numerous merchandising ventures, including theme parks and hotels.)
Whew. That was long. My apologies. But hopefully that clears things up.
***************
"I'm not good I'm not bad I'm just right. I'm the witch; you're the world. I'm the hitch; I'm what no one believes, I'm the witch. You're all liars and thieves...oh, why bother?"
-- Into the Woods
| Karen
Registered User
Registered:
5/3/2002 | posted: 7/17/2003 at 6:04:09 PM ET
Fascinating! I never knew any of that stuff. Thanks for posting.
| mrbig
Registered User
Registered:
6/16/2003
From:
Dallas, Texas
Fav. BP Song: Not a Day Goes By
Fav. BP Show: Sunday in the Park...
Fav. BP Character: Dot in SITPWG
Fav. BP CD: Sondheim, Etc.
| posted: 7/18/2003 at 1:13:52 AM ET
Thanks! That makes a lot of sense! I do know that Disney uses "Showbill" at the Lion King, though. I went to see Lion King last year and I was given a Showbill. It is much "thinner" than the Gypsy Playbill I was given. Interesting info about advertising, though. I also didn't know that Stagebills are handed out after the show at Cabaret. Thanks for the great explanation!
Brian
mrbig from big d
"No matter what you say, Children Will Listen..."
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