Playbill Inc.

Playbill is a monthly American magazine for theatergoers available by subscription but primarily printed for distribution at specific shows. Playbill was first printed in 1884 for a theater on 21st Street in New York (N.Y.)., now published in New York for Broadway and off-Broadway productions and in many other U.S. cities. Monthly articles appear in all Playbills distributed everywhere reflecting new shows and performers in plays, musicals, and special attractions; Playbills also contain specific cast lists and biographies, photographs, and song and scene lists printed for the particular show. Playbill Inc. is a privately held company based in New York (N.Y.) and owned by the Birsh family since 1974.

From the guide to the Playbill Inc., Playbill, collection, 1924-1985., (Harvard Theatre Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University)