InTheater, a new New York-based theatre magazine, published its first issue Sept. 12 (with an issue date of Sept. 19), employing several writers and editors from the former TheaterWeek and from Playbill.
The Parker Publishing & Communications title hit the stands with a cover photograph show current Broadway stars arrayed inside Sardi's theatrical restaurant.
Fifty times a year, InTheater hopes to cover theatre across the country, plus London and Toronto, much as TheaterWeek did. Among the columnists will be theatre critic Alexis Greene and education columnist (formerly of TW) and Ken Mandelbaum, who will continue to write his column about cast recordings for Playbill On-Line. Both managing editor Michael Portantiere and senior editor John Hammond were TheaterWeek staffers.
Editor-in-chief Kathy Henderson told Playbill On-Line (Aug. 27) her greatest challenges involved getting the computer network running and "figuring out how to make the best use of the magazine's 48 pages." Henderson said she is excited about the fall Broadway season and has received many queries from interested writers.
Stars at the cover photo shoot included Joel Grey, Julie Harris, Faith Prince, Tom Aldredge, Chuck Wagner, Robert Cuccioli, Tom O'Leary and Baakari Wilder. The magazine will also feature interviews with the stars about their dreams and their careers on Broadway. The interior of the magazine is black and white but glossy. "The first issue has 56 pages," said Henderson. "Normally there'll be 48. There'll be a front-of-book section of little news and short features. I want it to look like a consumer magazine for theatre lovers. Every time you read it, you should find something you didn't know." The magazine will come out 50 times per year, $3 per issue, $52 a year via subscription.
Asked how "InTheater" might differ from late, lamented TheaterWeek, Henderson replied, "I hope the general quality of the feature writing will be a bit higher. The kinds of things you'd expect if you pick up a top magazine; not puffy. On the other hand, I'm someone who loves theatre, so I'm not looking to put anyone down. That doesn't mean it has to read like a press release. I also want lots of pictures. How can you truly capture the theatre without production and historic photographs? It should look like a feature magazine. It's great to have something glossy on the newsstands that publicizes theatre and lets people know what's going on."
Publisher Michael A. Parker said, "Our company has a tremendous asset that the others did not--our Chaiman and co-owner, Richard Parker. Pick up any publishing trade magazine and you'll know why; my father has been running Bauer Publishing's (Europe's largest publishing firm) North American headquarters for nearly 19 years. In the 1970's, he was circulation director for all of Murdoch Magazines."
Theatregoers interested in "InTheater" can call (212) 719-9777. The mailing address is 1501 Broadway, Suite 2605, N.Y., N.Y. 10036. The email address is [email protected].
--By David Lefkowitz and Robert Viagas
