The last thread about this is pretty old, so I thought I would make a new one. I'm going to New York in two weeks to see Chicago for my mom's birthday, but I was thinking of branching off and trying to see some other theaters. How easy is it to get playbills from the box office? I've heard it depends on the person working. (Specifically thinking of going for Mean Girls, Frozen, Hello Dolly, and Book of Mormon)
If you don't ask when they're busy (e.g. as they're checking everyone's bags 15-30 minutes before showtime) I've never had an issue with asking a guard (who usually then asks an usher) to snag me an extra Playbill. I'm not sure if all of those theaters have someone working during the show. Personally, I would not ask the box office. I think it's better to ask a security guard or one of the people scanning tickets if they happen to be hanging out in the lobby.
Just knock on the stage door and ask whoever opens the door. Stage door personnel is always there from early morning till past performances (they receive deliveries, etc) and they are always gracious. They always have Playbills around their area so they’ll gladly give you one or a few.
No need to stand in line at the box office to ask for a Playbill and hope they’re cool about it.
BrodyFosse123 said: "Just knock on the stage door and ask whoever opens the door. Stage door personnel is always there from early morning till past performances (they receive deliveries, etc) and they are always gracious. They always have Playbills around their area so they’ll gladly give you one or a few.
No need to stand in line at the box office to ask for a Playbilland hope they’re cool about it. "
If you don't have business backstage, you shouldn't be knocking on the stage door. Especially if the theater doesn't have a stage door directly adjacent to the sidewalk. Playbills aren't stored backstage, and the doorman may or may not have any (and can't just leave and get one).
I don't understand why people think the box office would have Playbills stocked. If they have any it's because a) someone was nice enough to bring a few, or b) someone had it to use as a reference for information. I wouldn't be surprised that most of the claims here about getting Playbills from the box office are actually people getting Playbills from a ticket taker or security personnel.
I go to New York about once a year and see several shows ,this past April I saw 11. I always ask for an extra Playbill as I frame my whole trip but also Ieep the second one in a trunk displayed so I can periodically look at them. I also collect Playbills from shows I don't see by going to the Theater Box Office when they are open but not during show times..I politely ask the person at the window for a Playbill and probably 70% of the time I get one. If they say they don't have them I just say Thanks for your time and i;m on my way. It's just a fun thing to do when you're just walking around. I've never had anyone be really rude to me,although Springsteen on Broadway won;t give you one and they are pretty adamant about it.lol I think it's worth the effort if yo, like me are a collector. Happy hunting
The only time I've ever asked the box office for a Playbill was when a friend and I saw the 2016 Falsettos revival, and he ended up losing his at some point on the way back to the hotel. The next day we popped by the theatre and asked the box office for an another one, and the man working at the time was very nice and understanding. He just pulled out a stack from under the desk and handed us one. I don't know if it made a difference that we had already seen the show, though.
I don't know if it made a difference that we had already seen the show, though.
Playbills are free. You don't need "proof of purchase" for one. If someone refuses to provide you one its their own doing. No one is going to haggle you to provide proof you saw the show.
You don't need proof of purchase for one, but it might increase your odd slightly to say you're seen a show. I know if I was working in a theater and busy I'd be more sympathetic to someone who had seen a show the night before and forgotten their playbill than someone who hadn't seen the show.
I've asked for a Playbill at box offices a bunch of times and have never had a problem. The only times I didn't get one was if they didn't have any in the box office and I was just told to come back during the show. I just stay out of the theaters when there's about an hour until a show starts if I'm not buying a ticket.
BrodyFosse123 said: Playbills are free. You don't need "proof of purchase" for one. If someone refuses to provide you one its theirown doing. No one is going to haggle you to provide proof you saw the show."
Ok. It was just a thought because, considering the fact that some people DO refuse to give them out (earlier posters said a few shows are adamant about that), it's not like the average theatregoer knows what their motivations are.
joined:6/22/18
joined:
6/22/18
Posted: 7/2/18 at 10:05pm