1. You actually reserve an Opening Night date. Sort of like making a reservation at the Olive Garden, but sort of not.
Show Power Alert/Reminder: Memphis is opening Monday, October 19th.
Producers work with their Press Agents and request dates for opening night to The Broadway League. If another production already has your preferred date reserved, then they have 48 hours to either book it or release that specific date.
In my mind, its a little like issuing a challenge. But not a "slap the face with a glove" kind of challenge. A much more civilized challenge. Like this classic Cosby gem (start at 1:25):
2. The information found in the Playbill (program) is not actually generated by the people AT Playbill. They do the Ads and the articles and that sort of thing, but the specific show information literally comes from the production personnel to someone like me and then is wrangled and formatted by the press office and company management.
Perhaps this information is not shocking or particularly informative. But when you are editing someones bio on your computer, it is a bit unsettling. As if you have pulled back the curtain and the secret magic of Broadway has been revealed. Because now you are worried about typos.
For me, a Broadway Playbill has always been a sort of treasure; a sacred token of my time with Broadway. I guess I had hoped that there was some High Official of Ye Olde Playbill who came and collected the information in a well choreographed and revered ceremony. Nope.
3. A full page color ad in the Sunday New York Times costs well over $100,000.
