Sending Playbills to be signed

[josh147]

Posted: 2/23/17 at 3:29pm

My son and I saw Dear Evan Hansen in December, and sent one of our Playbills to the theatre to be signed after we got back home. It was the first time I had sent it to a theatre in NYC (I had previously sent to Big Fish and Hamilton in Chicago and got them both back signed by the whole cast), and I was surprised to get my unsigned Playbill back the other day with a note in it saying that if I wanted a signed playbill, I should send a SASE along with $40 check to Broadway Cares. 

Is this the norm in New York? Is there some secret code I don't know? :) I'll be going back in April to see DEH again, Sweeney Todd, Great Comet and Waitress, and I'm wondering if it's even worth it to send them in after I get back.

Thanks for any insight - I'm not from around there, and that trip to DEH was my first time ever seeing a show on Broadway. 

Josh

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 2/23/17 at 3:54pm

josh147 said: "My son and I saw Dear Evan Hansen in December, and sent one of our Playbills to the theatre to be signed after we got back home. It was the first time I had sent it to a theatre in NYC (I had previously sent to Big Fish and Hamilton in Chicago and got them both back signed by the whole cast), and I was surprised to get my unsigned Playbill back the other day with a note in it saying that if I wanted a signed playbill, I should send a SASE along with $40 check to Broadway Cares. 

Is this the norm in New York? Is there some secret code I don't know? :) I'll be going back in April to see DEH again, Sweeney Todd, Great Comet and Waitress, and I'm wondering if it's even worth it to send them in after I get back.

Thanks for any insight - I'm not from around there, and that trip to DEH was my first time ever seeing a show on Broadway. 

Josh

 

"

It varies by show, and for the most part, no it is not normal.  Some like DEH do require a donation (although most are 20, and some are 30, I have never seen a show ask for as high as 40 thats a bit rediculous).  DEH has unfortunately been super strict with not sending anything signed back without the donation, even if you send it to the actors specirically. Its kind of annoying if you ask me, but hey i don't make the rules.  Hope this helps!  And if you have any questions about other specific shows I may be able ro give you some more info on who does and does not send back without a donation!

[loliveve]

Posted: 2/23/17 at 4:27pm

Hello Josh!

Many shows, especially popular ones, do require donations to Broadway Cares. The trend really started around 2012, I think, and the requested donation has been driven higher in the past few years as Playbill collecting has become more popular.  There actually are designated collection periods-- for Easter Bonnet and Gypsy of the Year-- during which most shows will not send out Playbills without a donation

For example, "Hamilton" off-Broadway requested donations of $60, though on Broadway they requested $40.  However, that show generally no longer fulfills Playbill requests, and has only been selling signed Playbills during the collection periods on Broadway. Other shows that request donations are "Beautiful" ($20) and "A Bronx Tale" ($25)  "Great Comet" is sending out only unsigned Playbills, reporting they are unable to accommodate requests for signed ones.  Basically, it all comes down to whether (1) the cast is willing to donate their time to sign Playbills, (2) whether the stage management team wants to deal with fan mail requests, and (3) whether they decide to collect for Broadway Cares even in un-designated collection periods.  

[kjck89]

Posted: 2/23/17 at 9:00pm

 I had no idea that shows required donations for signed playbills nowadays. I wonder if this will eventually also apply to stagedoors....

[josh147]

Posted: 2/23/17 at 10:51pm

Thank you all so much for responding! I have a Hamilton Playbill still out from when we went to see it in December. Sounds like there's no point in trying Great Comet after I see it in April, but I'll give Waitress and Sweeney Todd a chance. I just think there's no cooler souvenir of an awesome show!

[VikaSta]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 8:15am

Hey so I was also wondering I recently received a playbill from ‘the boys in the band’. I sent a long heartfelt letter since it was one of my favorite plays but I received it unsigned. I did ask for a signed one and it got me wondering if I also needed to make a donation or if I was mistakenly send a blank one. Has anyone else had this ‘problem’ occur?

[yesraccoons]

Posted: 7/9/18 at 8:29am

Similar question as the above person but about spongebob?