Most cherished piece of Broadway memorabilia — Page 2

I have the cast board from Spamalot that was hung in the lobby of the Shubert Theatre. It's special to me because it's one of a kind.

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I have a letter from Billy Elliot signed by Dayton Tavares as well as a self portrait he drew on a paper plate and also signed.

Did a lot of these things come from the Flea Market?

I was thinking of the Daniel Evans sketch, the Chorus Line jacket, and the paper dolls, and things like that

I've only gotten there once, but it was WONDERFUL

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Mine is actually from London, but I'll share anyway.
It's a program from the gala fundraiser performance of Miss Saigon the night before its official opening night in London. It was attended/hosted by Princess Diana.

Others would be:
- OBC Miss Saigon program signed by Lea Salonga.
- OBC Miss Saigon program signed by Jonathan Pryce.
- OBC In The Heights souvenir program signed by Lin Manuel and most of the OBC.
- Next to Normal Pill Box signed by Alice Ripley (upper case bubble letters and all)

Berger's jeans signed by Will Swenson that I won a a Broadway Cares Auction after the show.

Also? A windowcard from Elling. I collect the cards and they didn't have them yet when I went to one of the previews of the show. My BFF went to the final show (We both loved it and thought it closed way to early). She was gonna pick up a card for me, but told me the sold out. Then, for Christmas, she shows up with the windowcard signed by the whole cast. Sneaky bitch. Bestest friend ever.

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I have many cards and letters from people that I do indeed cherish, but none of them are hanging up. They sit in a little box and I look at them every so often and smile.

What is hanging up is an autographed She Loves Me Vocal Selections signed by the late Jerry Bock (with a little note from him attached) that he mailed to me just a month or so before his unfortunate passing. I framed it immediately, just because I love the show and the man's work. Little did I know that he'd be gone so soon after. It hangs in a prominent spot now.
Also hanging up is a Scottsboro Boys program from the Vineyard autographed by John Kander from the final performance Off-Broadway. Also cherished.
I'm going to frame a letter from Sondheim some day, I just can't decide which one.

The Wiz real estate:
The Wiz was due to go into the Winter Garden and was to preview and open before Christmas. However out of town in Baltimore The Wiz was a disaster, and they booked another tryout stand (DC?) and delayed. Extensive revisions occurred including some recasting, and they ended up with a new director who was also the costume designer, Geoffrey Holder (also known as the 'Un-cola' man in the 7-Up ads) who eventually won Tonys in both categories.

Gypsy with Lansbury at the Winter Garden could then extend 5 weeks through right after New Years, and The Wiz got the Majestic because Mack and Mabel was not the expected hit it was thought to be and had pretty much played out its advance sale and closed around Thanksgiving.

The Wiz survived mixed reviews with a dynamite tv ad and played 2 years at the Majestic and moved to the Broadway for another 2 years or so. The Wiz was a surprise hit. A big surprise hit.

Hang onto that Wiz-Winter Garden thing.

Also, whoever has that Side Show-Anyone Can Whistle poster, hang onto that. Having that is something you could almost retire on. Frame it and keep it out of direct light. Seriously.

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I have two letters from night music signed by Bernadette, and the pink flower headband from Wicked, both of which I bought at the Flea Market and love. Also have a torn yellow Berger shirt from Hair I love, but I'm not quite sure what to do with it...it's currently sitting in a drawer somewhere. I'm thinking of having it framed.

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I have two:

I sent Swoosie Kurtz a telegram (yeah, that long ago) after she won the Tony for "Fifth Of July" and she sent me a really sweet personal note back. I still have it.

After a performance of the Dustin Hoffman revival of "Death Of A Salesman," I was hanging out the stage door area and who should appear but Arthur Miller. I lugged out the trusty copy of the play I'd brought with me and he signed it. I still have it.

I started collecting vintage playbills several years back and my most treasured ones are:

-- My Fair Lady OBC autographed by Andrews, Harrison, Lerner & Loewe

-- Original Pal Joey (1940) signed by Richard Rodgers

-- Porgy & Bess OBC (1935)

-- Hold on to your Hats (1940) signed by Al Jolson

Other items --

A letter signed by Jason Robert Brown, along with a copy of the then unpublished sheet music to "Come Up to My Office" from Parade that included a few editorial notes.

A playbill from LaChiusa's "The Wild Party" signed by the entire cast

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My Hairspray collection:
-alarm clock
-pajamas
-magnet stickers
-mirror
-2 different lunch-boxes
-closing night photo
-miniature truck
-closing night photo frame
-Ultra Clutch can
-silk tie
-Matthew Morrison as Link pin
-water bottle
-Patterson Park High t-shirt
-and another photo frame.
Along with signed posters.

Great thread!

Mine is a three way tie-

My OBC Carrie Window Card- talked Colony down from $500.00 to $100.00 to get it too!

My picture of me with Angela Landsbury- she was exactly like you would want her to be- kind, caring, and her dressing room smelled AMAZING!

My picture of me with Betty Buckley- it was taken in Syracuse after a symphonic concert she did- she was in top voice that evening and we have been casual acquaintences ever since!