Broadway Flea Market 2016- Page 6

[haterobics]

Posted: 9/25/16 at 11:02pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I saw a girl crying hysterically because she found a playbill from GYPSY with Patti and another girl lose her sh*t when she got a playbill from the 2005 SWEENEY revival. I don't understand these reactions for things that can easily be obtained for a dollar on eBay any day of the year. "

It looks better on the live social media video.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/25/16 at 11:13pm

That does make sense. Anything for a "like", right?

[PianoMann]

Posted: 9/25/16 at 11:14pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I saw a girl crying hysterically because she found a playbill from GYPSY with Patti and another girl lose her sh*t when she got a playbill from the 2005 SWEENEY revival. I don't understand these reactions for things that can easily be obtained for a dollar on eBay any day of the year. "

Similar situation here, but in my case they were obsessing over an Off-Broadway The Humans playbill, of all things... That is, after they deciphered which cover corresponded to which production of the show. 

 

[haterobics]

Posted: 9/25/16 at 11:40pm

Jordan Catalano said: "That does make sense. Anything for a "like", right?"

Sort of how the person I sat near at The Color Purple was obsessing over hitting the stage door after the show, because she needed to tell Cynthia how important this show is, and how much her performance means to her, and how deeply it has affected her... and on and on. So, finally, I asked, how many times have you seen the show before? "Oh, this is my first time..."

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/25/16 at 11:41pm

Here's something that really pissed me off today. The ON YOUR FEET table toward the middle of the day, got a cast signed poster and it had Gloria's signature on it. They wanted $175 so I figured I'd keep an eye on it. Nobody bought it and I kept waiting for them to lower the price. But when I went back, it was $200. Then it was $250. Then it was $300. And at the end of the day, they just packed it up. I made them a fair offer for it and she said I was crazy and it was worth so much more. 

[haterobics]

Posted: 9/25/16 at 11:42pm

Jordan Catalano said: "Here's something that really pissed me off today. The ON YOUR FEET table toward the middle of the day, got a cast signed poster and it had Gloria's signature on it. They wanted $175 so I figured I'd keep an eye on it. Nobody bought it and I kept waiting for them to lower the price. But when I went back, it was $200. Then it was $250. Then it was $300. And at the end of the day, they just packed it up. I made them a fair offer for it and she said I was crazy and it was worth so much more. "

You're going to be kicking yourself when it is $500 next year...

[sorano916]

Posted: 9/25/16 at 11:43pm

In your opinion, what percentage of people at the flea market are those who specifically go versus those who so happen to end up there?

 

I love getting the understudy slip notepads. At the BroadwayGreen table, I'm glad that they started with the price down... $2 for one or $5 for 3. They had lots of Fiddler ones as well as random ones from Hair, Mamma Mia, Godspell, Spamalot, and the previous Les Mis revival. I also got some American Idiot ones at the Jujamcyn table.

 

Besides the notepads, I got a few window cards, little promo and opening night gifts, and a bunch of T-shirts for my family abroad (of course, I went at the end of the day for the cheapest deals so they were mostly Amazing Grace one... heh...).

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/25/16 at 11:47pm

steven22 said: "I was able to get Ham and Fun Home window cards from the Public productions! Also found a few random playbills that I bought. "

I was kind of surprised at the lack of Fun Home merch, but maybe next year? I don't remember Rocky having as much last year as this year, so maybe there's hope. Unless that merch is going on tour, in which case I'll just get it there.

This year I didn't feel as physically crushed as last year, and there seemed to be a better variety of items, but not by much. I missed having the bigger space out in Times Square, but it was nicer NOT having to deal with a flow of people surrounded by crowds on both sides. If only they'd been able to shut down both streets fully.

[smidge]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 12:20am

So sorry I missed Diane Lane and Jennifer Holliday. Also regret not thinking of looking for the Public table. Got pictures with Will Roland and Michael Greif at the DEH table, Javier at the Hamilton table, and Joel Grey, Harvey Fierstein, Ben Platt and Andrew Keenan-Bolger at the photo booth. Not even sure of all the various little items picked up during the day. Combined this with a matinee of The Humans and Adele at night.

Updated On: 9/26/16 at 12:20 AM

[StephieElise]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 1:52am

It was my first and likely only Flea (it's very slim odds that I'll be in New York at the exact right time again). Because I have to get anything I bought back to Australia in tact and within my luggage limits I was a bit limited with what I could buy.

I did well at the Creative Goods Merchandise stall with 3 tshirts for $10 (Annie, Grease & Fiddler), a Hedwig tshirt (which I'll wear next week at the first tour preview in SF!) and some CDs, plus they threw in a few random goodies (if anyone would care for a 700 Sundays baseball let me know). I also picked up some awesome wine charms and the tote bag from the Broadway Cares booth. Finally, my mum and I both couldn't resist the Flea Market tshirt at $10. 

All in all it was pretty successful, although I did feel a lot of booths had either junk (does anyone actually buy all those shoes?!) or outrageous prices (e.g. the girl at the Wicked stall who tried to tell me that $250 for a signed If/Then poster was a bargain because 'Idina never signs anymore'. 

[smidge]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 3:51am

StephieElise said: "It was my first and likely only Flea (it's very slim odds that I'll be in New York at the exact right time again). Because I have to get anything I bought back to Australia in tact and within my luggage limits I was a bit limited with what I could buy.

I did well at the Creative Goods Merchandise stall with 3 tshirts for $10 (Annie, Grease & Fiddler), a Hedwig tshirt (which I'll wear next week at the first tour preview in SF!) and some CDs, plus they threw in a few random goodies (if anyone would care for a 700 Sundays baseball let me know). I also picked up some awesome wine charms and the tote bag from the Broadway Cares booth. Finally, my mum and I both couldn't resist the Flea Market tshirt at $10. 

All in all it was pretty successful, although I did feel a lot of booths had either junk (does anyone actually buy all those shoes?!) or outrageous prices (e.g. the girl at the Wicked stall who tried to tell me that $250 for a signed If/Then poster was a bargain because 'Idina never signs anymore'. 

 

Yes, they wanted $200 for a signed If/Then vinyl. I know it's for a good cause, but it's not helping Broadway Cares when they pack them all up at the end of the day without selling many..

 

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 5:01am

My 21st straight year and the WORST ever for crowds - every table was 5 deep - maybe I am just getting too old or remembering the good old days when it was a half dozen tables and only a dozen people shopping !

Well it is for charity.....$12,000 to 3/4 of a million dollars.   I think Broadway Cares would disagree with "the good old days" :)bigger

1987-$12,000 

 1988-$32,000 

 1989-$52,000 

 1990-$62,000 

 1991-$105,000 

 1992-$182,000 

 1993-$199,000 

 1994-$277,000 

 1995-$310,775 

 1996-$468,000 

 1997-$432,000 

 1998-$507,000 

 1999-$551,000 

 2000-$574,000 

 2001-$358,000 

 2002-$450,235 

 2003-$511,129 

 2004-$419,464 

 2005-$544,037 

 2006-$505,832 

 2007-$559,810 

 2008-$496,380 

 2009-$403,000 

 2010-$476,000 

 2011-$547,658 

 2012-$681,892 

 2013-$631,222 

 2014-$713,986 

 2015-$756,655 

Updated On: 9/26/16 at 05:01 AM

[OKBroadwayFan]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 5:17am

My daughter and I were there right at the beginning, my third and her second flea.

Her favorite---Waitress signed by their Tony nominees---Tony nominating committee item.  It was  a book that looked like a menu.

My favorites--Marian Seldes framed certificates for a Drama Desk Award and Theater Hall of Fame Induction.   One table had lots of her personal items---pictures, scripts, etc.

Oklahoma 50th anniversary framed print of the original cast finale number.   Nicely framed by Triton.

Broadway Bares '16 table top decoration

We also picked up the usual posters, magnets, cups, and other stuff

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 8:27am

Jordan Catalano said: "Here's something that really pissed me off today. The ON YOUR FEET table toward the middle of the day, got a cast signed poster and it had Gloria's signature on it. They wanted $175 so I figured I'd keep an eye on it. Nobody bought it and I kept waiting for them to lower the price. But when I went back, it was $200. Then it was $250. Then it was $300. And at the end of the day, they just packed it up. I made them a fair offer for it and she said I was crazy and it was worth so much more. 

 

"

That's interesting because within the first hour of the market one of the tables had an original Company window card that was framed and they let someone haggle it down to $125 from $250. I have no issues with attempting to get a lot of money for things.  If it sells for that much,  good for you. But, I do agree raising the price throughout the day and then not making a sale is silly.  

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 8:29am

I have to agree with the frustration about the set up. It really was much more crowded with only half the street blocked off. I thought it would be better with the expansion onto 45th, but considering it was only half the block it was about the same.

It seemed like there was less rare or interesting stuff, but some of you have posted about stuff I didn't see. Perhaps because the crowds were so crazy I couldn't even get to a lot of the tables. I came for a few specific items that I did get, though, so can't really complain.

[Dancingthrulife2]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 9:16am

Didn't have the best experience there. Some people were extremely loud and whiny, some extremely rude, and some both. You could really see how such situations bring out the worst of people.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 10:16am

The $1 shirts table definitely felt more chaotic than usual to me. You know those nature videos where people take trucks out to the tundra and drop hay off for the reindeer? Like that.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 10:21am

^ Agreed. It felt like a lot of those people at the Creative Goods table at the end of the day had just wandered in off the street, but I could be wrong.

[mamaleh]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 10:33am

That ultra-bargained priced hoodie/T-shirt/tchotkes table is usually on 44th; this year it was on 45th and consistently mobbed.  Every time I passed by, it was impossibly crowded.  Still, I did manage to pick up a few T-shirts and a hat.  At the end of the day they were selling Little Orphan Annie Halloween costumes complete with wig for $1--and threw in a garter for good measure. 

Not being an eBay fan, I was happy to find among the playbills a 50-cent opening night playbill for THE BLOND IN THE THUNDERBIRD.  Admittedly, a pretty awful show but the only one I've seen for which I lacked a playbill.  Hubby and I had attended that rainy opening night, and post-show I made the mistake of entrusting him with our playbills while I opened my umbrella as we speedily made our way to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. Somehow he had dropped both of them in the rain en route.  So 11 years later, that hole is filled. Also picked up a LEGS DIAMOND playbill simply for my affection for Peter Allen and to see the Mark Hellinger Theater printed at the top. 

Other high point:  Having a lovely conversation with the one and only Harvey Evans, who was sweet enough to say I didn't look old enough to have seen the original FOLLIES--which I did, four times.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 10:35am

Some posts here about NYPD not letting anyone block off a whole street right now:

http://www.talkinbroadway.com/allthatchat_new/d.php?id=2349969

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 10:36am

So everyone else has to suffer because of the construction? Typical.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 10:41am

That's an emergency response issue.  The construction blocks off some means of vehicular traffic, so closing off even more lanes to traffic in the immediate vicinity increases response times.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 11:01am

re: the craziness at the Creative Goods table - that table kinda brings that response on themselves. Every time I walked past that table, they had all of the shirts simply piled up in a heap, which invites people to dig around in it. I don't know why they can't have it organized there.

[neonlightsxo]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 11:11am

^ Yeah, that's true. I don't know why they don't box them up by show rather than by size.

[Sorry-Grateful]

Posted: 9/26/16 at 11:14am

I am a Playbill collector so Broadway Flea is always an opportunity for me to pick up some fun, strange, and rare Playbill finds. My favorite pick-ups this year:

Porgy and Bess- 1935 OBC (Todd Duncan and Anne Brown)

Oklahoma- OBC (January 1944)

Marilyn: An American Fable- Opening Night Playbill! (November 20th, 1983)

Company- OBC (a rare May 1970 Playbill with Dean Jones as Bobby!)

West Side Story- OBC (February 1958 )

Ruthless! the Musical- off-Bway (notable because it contains Britney Spears' only theater credit) (1992)

Oh, Brother!- Opening night Playbill (November 10th, 1981) (a hot mess of a show that closed after 13 previews and 3 performances)

Updated On: 9/26/16 at 11:14 AM