Broadway Flea Market 2011 Question?!

That information won't start to be released for a little while yet and won't be finalized until right until the actual date.

I'm a prayin' Bernadette does the table this year. PRAYING, I tell you!

Last year, I had gotten an old Playbill which was a certain actor's Broadway debut. I bought two actually, one for me & one for my friend. This actor was in a musical last year and I brought my friend's to stage door to see if he would sign it.

He actually was happy to see it. He had just moved & lost his copy of it. He asked me where he could get one and I just motioned to the madness that was 44th Street. He actually was contemplating going through the booths for the Playbill even though he had an evening show in a couple of hours.

I ended up giving him my copy which he was really grateful for; I found a full autographed Playbill for my friend so I kept the one that he just signed.

The flea market is all day long. It starts officially at 10 (though set up starts beforehand) and goes usually until 5 or 6 ending with the grand auction. Unless the prices have been changed since last year, the autograph table is $20 an hour (you go down the row and get the autograph of everyone sitting there that hour) and the photo booth is $10 per celebrity, with certain big names or group photos being more. Last year for example, the cast of "American Idiot" posed with Billie Joe from Green Day for $100.

I'll pay $100 for a pic with the entire cast of FOLLIES.

Just pray for good weather. I love the Flea Market, but I do not love the Flea Market when it's indoors.

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So I have never been to the flea market... What should I bring? What time should I get there?

You don't even have to bring them. They'll be given out.

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Didn't "The cast of American Idiot" wind up being just Stark Sands?

I remember some of the guys didn't show up. And even when the list is finalized it's not 100% sure that the people on the list will be there. Chita called in sick last year. I had offered $40 for Judith Light and Dan Lauria together. But Dan arrived late so I only got Judith. So don't be upset if something like that happens.


So I have never been to the flea market... What should I bring? What time should I get there?

Bring a bag that isn't so large that you'll get tired of carrying it but large enough to put in anything you buy. It's not uncommon to see people w/ rolling suitcases. I typically wear a teeshirt but bring a sweatshirt because late September can be iffy. Bring cash - it's easier than using a card. You CAN use a card but unless you need a recepit cash is fine. What I like to do is make a budget for myself based on what celebs are going to be there and then add $100 or so for any shopping I want to do. Just don't be flashing it around because people with cash can be easy targets. While I've never heard pf anyone being pickpocketed during Flea Market I think it's better to be wise anyway. It's a cash heavy day and any thieves could be aware of that. I like to leave my wallet in my bag and take the money out inside the bag so no one can see what I have.


I'm thinking of coming up to the flea market from North Carolina for the first time, and want to be sure it is worth my effort. Should I plan to spend the whole day or just a couple hours? How long does it take to shop all of the tables/booths (approximately how many are there?) or "see it all"?

It really varies on what you're looking for. Personally, I browse the tables when I first get there and snatch up anything there I would want and there's only one of. But most of my day is spent at the photo booth. The photo booth/autograph table is set up in 55 minutes time slots and different celebs are in different time slots. If you're interested in the photo booth/autograph table you would miss the probably miss the last few time slots if you went to a matinee. If you're going to a 3pm show and the theatre is near Shubert Alley (connects 45th & 45th bwtn Broadway and 8th) you might be able to get in on the final time slot. You could always tell the people running the booth that you have a matinee and they might accomidate you. It never hurts to ask.

If you're more of a shopper you don't necessary have to spend the whole day there. In fact, prices are drastically slashed in the last hour or so. Things that were $10 at 10am could become $1 at 5pm. I saw a marque go from $50 to $5 once.

You might want to consider seeing what shows have Sunday night performances if you're more interested in the celebs. I know Priscilla and Rock of Ages do. Not sure what else off the top of my head.

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Updated On: 8/2/11 at 12:55 PM

I manage to spend a couple hundred dollars every year. I save money in a jar all year long so I have it when the time comes. I always get a lot of windowcards (I have no use/room for old playbills) very cheap cast recordings, opening night gifts, various show memorabilia, usually will spend around $100 or so at the BC/EFA table, the autograph line if it's worth it, pics with people (again if it's worth the time and money), and always lots of scripts and various theater related books. I live just down the street so it's easy for me to pop back throughout the day to see what prices have been lowered and of course as it's coming to an end, you get a BUNCH of crap for free.

Playbills can literally be anywhere from free, to 5 for $1, to $5 each.

Question: If you have any interesting items that you don't want anymore, can you possibly trade or sell items?