Logos for Cry-Baby and A Catered Affair

I recently came across the new official logos for the new Broadway musicals Cry-Baby and A Catered Affair. I must say that the contrast between the two offers graphic illustration of what makes for a successful visual identity for a Broadway musical. And what doesn't.

I like the Cry-Baby logo a lot. It has a cool, retro kind of look to it, in keeping with the show's 1950's setting. It sort of looks like the cover of one of those trashy 50s novels, or the poster from a James Dean movie. Click on the link above or the image above for a closer look. The colors are warm and inviting, and yet there's an appropriate sense of menace. The between-the-legs perspective seems borrowed from the poster to "For Your Eyes Only," the James Bond movie, but on the whole the image really makes me want to see the show.

And then there's the logo for A Catered Affair. I posted previously about the early version of this show's visual identity, saying it was perhaps the most boring logo ever. Well, they've made it more lively, cluttered even, but they certainly haven't made it more esthetically appealing. On the whole, this image is washed out, awkwardly arranged, and unfocused. And the human figures have a creepy, plastic feel to them, kind of like those old Duracell battery commercials with that family of macabre automatons.

Tickets for both shows aren't on sale for the general public yet, but are available for American Express Gold Card members. The only reason I own a Gold Card is to gain access to these exclusive events. I'll be seeing both of these shows next month, but I'm particularly excited about seeing Cry-Baby with three of my fellow theater bloggers, Steve from Steve on Broadway, Alicia from Things You'll Learn to Love About Me, and Esther from Gratuitous Violins. We correspond electronically all the time, and regularly comment on each other's blogs, but this will be the first time I'll meet these folks face-to-face.

Steve, Alicia, and Esther: I'm looking forward to meeting all of you in person.

Comments

[Steve On Broadway (SOB)]

Chris, Can't wait to share a musical experience with you at Cry-Baby. It'll be very interesting to compare notes on the same exact performance, won't it?!

[Alicia]

OK - I think we are a bit confuzzled... Esther is Gratuitous Violins! I, Alicia, am Things You'll Learn To Love About Me!

That said: I agree, the CRY-BABY logo is great - I just hope the t-shirts aren't TOMMY yellow!

P.S. I, too, have CRY-BABY tickets. For the same night as you, Esther and Steve. I am really looking forward to meeting you all in the flesh, as opposed to cyberspace!

[Esther]

Chris, thanks for the shoutout and for adding me to your blogroll. I've returned the compliment. I'm so excited about meeting everyone, and having a great after-show discussion. And you're right, the Cry-Baby poster is pretty awesome! It makes me me chuckle. Your description nails it. Definitely a sense of menace. I'm a big fan of Hairspray, so I'm hoping I'll enjoy this John Waters-inspired musical. Plus, with lyrics by a writer for The Daily Show, it's got to be witty.