Broaday Show Souvenirs

I usually buy mugs at shows I like, but sometimes get a magnet if the mug is lame or too expensive. I like when they have something unique about them like a different shape or design. They often have a clever tagline or quote from the show. I kind of wish I had started a magnet collection previously because it's fun to fill a fridge with them, but the mugs are also cool to display and use - and a good conversation piece.

I got a magnet at the King and I because the mug was a ridiculous $25 (and nothing special) ... they are usually $15. Then later I saw the fan and wish I had gotten that.

I usually don't buy anything when I go see shows, mainly because I just don't have the room for them in my house. But I still make exceptions from time to time, and I am more inclined to make impulse purchases when I see something that is not sold at every show. Off the top of my head: I have a scarf from Once, an autographed baseball from 700 Sundays, a deck of cards from Honeymoon in Vegas, a jump rope from Rocky, some keychains, some pins as well, and some mugs. I really wanted to buy the snow globe they have at Aladdin, but I had to stop myself because I simply have no room for it. Oh, the souvenirs I would have had if I had a bigger house, haha...

I buy a magnet for every show I see, Its a fun way to remember the shows plus they are usually cheep and easy to transport! I started buying them about 2 years ago and have been on a crusade to get one from each show I saw prior to collecting! I really only have a few shows left I need to find! Thanks ebay

Playbills, magnets now & previously T shirts

No to programs, sippy cups & other knick/knacks

My fiancé and I buy magnets for every show we see. Our fridge is covered. We wanted to get mugs at first, but we don't have enough space to store all the mugs for all the shows we see. I also buy the poster if I like the artwork or really loved the show. We have about a dozen posters, mostly signed, many framed.

I pretty much always get a magnet, souvenir program and usually a window card. I used to get mugs a lot, but now only for unique designs or rare productions. I have so many mugs, I'd have to invite the entire Windy City Gay Men's Chorus over for coffee so they could get used. I rarely get a shirt unless I am either a) enthralled with the show beyond belief or b) really like the show and the t-shirt design is particularly attractive to me. I think the last t-shirts I bought were for Hedwig and Lady Day. My boyfriend bought shirts for The Last Ship (we bought it as we were entering the theatre; didn't like the show, but loved the shirt design) and the Miss Saigon London revival (interesting new logo design and layout). And then I have a few little extra one-offs that were a bit unusual like the "Shroud of Hedwig" or some Rocky Horror glitter nail polish (from the 1999 London revival, the first West End production I ever saw). I really wish I had some of the limited edition shirts though, like the "Today 4 U" shirt from Rent in 1996 or the "Watch the Eyebrows, Darling!" shirt from Closer to Heaven in London in 1999 (terrible show, but a funny shirt capturing its one moment of brilliance).

I don't usually buy merch unless the show is extra special to me and the merch is unique. I bought the Hedwig shirt with JCM on it...really wanted a poster but it wasn't interesting (just text). I've seen the show three times and it pisses me off that Darren Criss and NPH are the ones who were the most promoted via merch. And I know they have to keep most of the merch somewhat generic but printed text on magnets, mugs etc is boring. Surely they could have come up with some more interesting ideas, like using the Shroud of Hedwig more.

I bought my friends Spiderman Turn Off the Dark magnets because we were having a hilarious ongoing dialogue about the show but I was the only one who saw it in the end and wanted to commemorate the occasion for all of us (and it was the cheapest and most transportable option). I bought my friend a Xmas ornament from Mary Poppins, of her umbrella...it was very cute.

I find most merch uninspired...just t-shirts or totes with the logo slapped on. The weirdest was The Elephant Man...a glamourous headshot of BCoop on everything. I used to buy programs but they just ended up on a shelf. I don't even save my Playbills.

Updated On: 5/19/15 at 01:04 PM

If I love a show, I buy a windowcard or program. I might get a shirt if I like the design and could see myself wearing it our in public! I used to get mugs. I have multiple items from my favorite shows. From Rent: 4 window cards, 2 mugs, 3 shirts, script, Rent Bible, 2 cast albums, 1 magnet. And I collect playbills from all of the shows I see.