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Amazing Theatre Buys at the 33rd Annual Broadway Flea Market

Grab your paddles and prepare your bids and shopping bags...‘cause the annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction is back and better than ever!!

broadway shubert

The ongoing construction in and around Shubert Alley, which has forced other events to reschedule, relocate, or retreat entirely, proves no match for this festive fundraiser, now in its 33rd year. The Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction will proudly operate in full along the sidewalks of both West 44th and West 45th Streets—in the heart of our beloved Theater District—and work around the various support structures when necessary.

Rug Aladdin Auction

Rug used in the set of Aladdin. Current leading bid $239.

As in years past, these streets will be lined with over 50 tables, each offering the best in Broadway mementos and memorabilia from productions past and present. Among the shows scheduled to be represented are Aladdin, Beetlejuice, Dear Evan Hansen, Hadestown, Mean Girls, and Wicked, as well as the recently closed The Cher Show, Kinky Boots, and Pretty Woman, among many others.

But you don’t have to wait ‘til the tables are out to place your bids; the Grand Auction is already abuzz online—pre-bidding remains open through Friday, September 20th.

Andre De Shields credit Matthew Murphy

Let's do lunch! Hadestown's André De Shields. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

The live auction boasts such one-of-a-kind prizes as lunch with Hadestown’s André de Shields, private dance lessons with Ain’t Too Proud’s Tony Award-winning choreographer Sergio Trujillo, opening night party passes to Caroline, or Change and Freestyle Love Supreme, a meet-and-greet with Dame Julie Andrews, and the chance to conduct one of The Phantom of the Opera’s most memorable songs.

moulin rouge playbill

Signed Moulin Rouge! The Musical Opening Night Playbill. Current leading bid $140.

Meanwhile, the Silent Auction offers signed programs and Playbills, exclusive props, and a host of other theatrical relics, all of which will also be sold live during the event.

And then, of course, there’s the Autograph Table and Photo Booth, once again hosted by Jim Caruso (of Cast Party at Birdland) and Ben Cameron (of Broadway Sessions), which will no doubt see the outdoor deck of Junior’s Restaurant teeming with theatre buffs, eager to have their merch signed by their favorite Broadway stars. Among the fan faves scheduled to appear are Gavin Creel, Arielle Jacobs, Alex Brightman, Eva Noblezada, Lilli Cooper,  and Andrew Barth Feldman, in addition to over 50 others. Autographs are a $35 donation each hour for all performers that hour; photo prices vary based on the number of requests per performer.

Given all this hullabaloo, it’s easy to see why it’s an event not to be missed. Not to mention, it’s all for a great cause: proceeds directly benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The Flea Market and Grand Auction has always been a major asset for the non-profit organization, which aims to provide essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States. Since its inception, the affair has raised $14.5 million for BC/EFA, topping the $900,000 mark during last year’s extravaganza.

phantom mask autograph michael crawford

Michael Crawford-signed The Phantom of the Opera ceramic mask. Current leading bid $520.

So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself camera-ready and head on down to Shubert Alley!! If you’re a die-hard theatre fan, you’ve obviously got nothing to lose…and with all the money going to an unbelievably significant cause, you never know whose life you may change. Who knows? It just might be your own.


The 33rd Annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction will be held Sunday, September 22nd in Shubert Alley from 10am to 7pm. New lots in the silent auction, over which Jen Cody and Michael Goddard will preside, will open every half hour beginning at 10am; the live auction, hosted by Bryan Batt and Nick Nicholson, will commence at 5pm. For more information, including a market map and a full autograph lineup by the hour, please visit www.broadwaycares.org.

About the Author

Matt Smith is a writer and theatre enthusiast based in New York. His work has appeared within a wide variety of theatrical publications, including Playbill.com, BroadwayWorld.com, TheaterPizzazz.com, and StageBuddy.com. For more information or further inquiry, including additional writing samples, please visit www.mattsmiththeatre.com.

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