Playbill

A program or booklet provided to patrons of a theatrical production

Playbill

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Playbill is a monthly magazine for theatre patrons. It is best known for its use in Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, where it serves as the official program for the show. Playbill includes information about the production, such as the cast, crew, and synopsis of the show, as well as articles and advertisements.

History

Playbill was first published in 1884 for a single theatre on 14th Street in New York City. Over time, it expanded to cover multiple theatres and became the standard program for Broadway productions. The magazine has evolved to include not only information about the specific show but also articles on theatre-related topics, interviews with actors and directors, and other features.

Content

A typical Playbill includes:

• A cover featuring the name and artwork of the production
• A list of the cast and crew
• A synopsis of the show
• Biographies of the cast and crew
• Articles related to the theatre and the specific production
• Advertisements

Distribution

Playbill is distributed at the entrance of theatres to patrons attending the show. It is also available by subscription and can be found in digital format on its official website.

Special Editions

Playbill produces special editions for major events such as the Tony Awards, where it includes additional content related to the event and the nominees.

Collectibility

Playbills are often collected by theatre enthusiasts as memorabilia. Special editions and Playbills from long-running or historically significant productions are particularly sought after.

See also

• Broadway theatre
• Off-Broadway
• Tony Awards
• Theatre program