The Band’s Visit Playbill Change

[CedricOates]

As of today, The Band’s Visit has changed their original playbill with color featuring the orchestra band and Katrina, to a black and white playbill with just the hands of Tewfiq and Dina and the title of the musical.

I personally think they have changed it so new replacements can come in and wouldn’t need to change the playbill at all. I liked their original color scheme though.

[Samaimurai]

Ah, this kind of bums me out actually. I thought their original playbill design was gorgeous. I haven’t had a chance to see the show yet, and I’m kind of a stickler for collecting playbills. I wish they had just kept it the same, but oh well. Obviously it’s not going to affect me seeing it lol

[dramamama611]

The cast had nothing to do with it. They own the image regardless as to who is in the show. I also don't think Katrina is going anywhere too soon .

They did it to save money. Productions don't pay for Playbills if their image is in B&W. Their original image (Dina & the band) likely looks terrible in B&W.

[poisonivy2]

dramamama611 said: "The cast had nothing to do with it. They own the image regardless as to who is in the show. I also don't think Katrinais going anywhere toosoon .

They did it to save money. Productions don't pay for Playbills if their image is in B&W. Their original image (Dina & the band) likely looks terrible in B&W."

So is that why so many Rudin-produced shows have black and white playbills?

[dramamama611]

That's why MOST productions go to b&w.   

I have no idea what the cost are associated with a color cover, but as it's money out of their pockets, I don't begrudge them.

[CATSNYrevival]

I kind of like it.

[BroadwayConcierge]

I actually think it captures the show more accurately than the original playbill. Good job, TBV.

[dramamama611]

Thanks for posting that....it does seem more cohesive.   I like it too.

[Call_me_jorge]

I’d say that’s probably the best replacement cover.

[CedricOates]

I have to agree that I think it captures the essence of the show. Hopefully it has nothing to do with financial difficulties, as this usually is one of the first signs that a show needs all the money it gets :).

[ethan231h]

I dont mind the change at all. It just sorta surprises me they went BW right after their big win! But that sorta reminds me of Fun Home going BW in July too...

[Robbie2]

I prefer the color original version

[atuomala]

Per what was mentioned before: the B&W playbills vs the color playbills just have to do with money. When a show starts printing playbills in B&W (when they were originally in color), that's usually the first sign of financial woes because the move means they're trying to cut unnecessary costs.

[qolbinau]

The show is definitely not in financial troubles.

[GeorgeandDot]

This show is certainly not having financial problems. There are several reasons why they may have made this change. It may have been in order to make the playbill more inclusive to future replacements or may have been done in order to make the original playbill rare and collectable in some way. Idk what it is but it definitely isn't due to financial problems.

[Miles2Go2]

I definitely prefer the original, but it will be nice when I hopefully see it again that I’ll have a distinctive playbill.

[dmwnc1959]

I most definitely prefer the color original over the black and white replacement.

Question: when shows do this, do they also change the marquee sign, window card, and other associated merchandise to match the new Playbill? 

 

[VotePeron]

^ very rarely. Usually when a Playbill updates, it is less about the show rebranding and more about the show cutting costs and making sure the Playbill design works in color. People can say whatever they’d like, but the new Playbill cover is being used in color on buses and subway ads all over nyc right now, so there’s no reason it couldn’t have been in color on the Playbill. The show may not be in financial trouble, but I am confident that making the Playbill b&w was fueled by a financial choice, rather than artistic one.

[dramamama611]

I'm sorry...DID anyone say the new artwork couldn't be in color?  

Whether the show is "in trouble" financially or not is not withing my knowledge, but I think most of us have agreed that going to B&W is a money saving move.   WHY they chose to go that route?  Who knows. 

 

I also don't think it means a lot one way or another to the average theater goer.  Heck, I am far from "average" and I could care less about the cover.

 

 

 

[VintageSnarker]

I do not love the change. The sand looks a little like smoke and it has a ghostly vibe. Like, if you replaced the title, I'd believe this was a very abstract Playbill for The Secret Garden. The first cover was a poetic interpretation of the show but I think this one gets too far away from how grounded the show is. It's too ethereal and otherworldly.

[PatrickDC]

Do producers really care one bit about the cover of a playbill? Even if a show is banking lots of money, producers always have their sights on generating more cash, so switching to the free B&W seems like a no-brainer and simple way to earn more money. And switching from color for a successful show is unlikely to result in fewer ticket sales...audiences will still pack the house. 

 

[RippedMan]

I always love seeing the use of the Barrymore marquee. I think this one is a bit busy, and kind of wish they'd just use the image above w/o the title, but I get why they would. 

[TFMH18]

Count me among those who hate the new design. It looks, frankly, so cheap. Also, though this shouldn't be a major consideration, it's worth mentioning that those who collect signatures at the stage door will have a much harder time, unless the cast is armed with metallic pens rather than the usual black. I'm not sure why they decided to switch to B&W immediately after a Tony win, but I think it was ill-advised. Oh well.