Some Questions about a NYC Trip...

[Solstrom]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 6:24pm

Hi there !!
One of my friends will be in NYC for a week and I would like if there's a kind (and where) of "Dress Circle" physical shop to find (and, so, buy) Cast Recordings and other theatrical memories and souvenirs...
Or, what's the best place for it ? Virgin on Time Square ?
I would like to buy the B&N special 2CD Edition of South Pacific. How can I do to buy it ? Is it always available ? If someone can buy it for me and I'll pay by Paypal, please PM me :)
Thanks so much !!

[karen24]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 7:43pm

There is a very nice theater shop next to the St. James Theater (where "Gypsy" is playing)--on West 44th St. I forget what it's called but you can't miss it. I like this one because it's more spacious than some others.
One of those "others" is just across the taxi ramp from the Marriott Marquis (near the TKTS line-up.) They also have a good selection of souvenirs, but it's much more crowded.
And finally, there is One Shubert Alley which is right next to the Shubert Theater (also W 44th.) That one is really tiny!

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 7:45pm

I think Virgin has good deals on a lot of show tunes. Go down the escalator and turn right. It's in the Jazz section.

[Gary Indiana]

Posted: 8/5/08 at 8:35pm

The store Karen is talking about is called Theater Circle. It's my favorite broadway souvenirs store as well. That store, the one under the Marriott, and One Shubert Alley are all owned by the same company, so they have comparable (expensive) prices, and more or less the same inventory of cast albums. Theater Circle has a much wider selection of scripts which are housed in a back room that never seems to get overcrowded, which makes it better (in my opinion) than the others. That said, I would avoid them for cast albums since Virgin is cheaper.

Also, most broadway souvenirs are cheaper if purchased at the theater, so if you want a souvenir from a show you're planning to see, I would get it there.

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 5:00pm

Do any of those stores, or any others in the area, typically sell memorabilia from older shows? I'm thinking well-known shows but ones that haven't played Broadway in a decade or more.

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 5:48pm

I don't think anyplace in NYC is currently as good as Dress Circle in London. Way back when, Tower used to come close for the cast recordings, but as far as memorabilia and completeness goes, Dress Circle is in a class by itself.

[Gary Indiana]

Posted: 8/6/08 at 8:26pm

Those stores don't sell much from older shows. You can usually find magnets, cast albums, and window cards from shows that aren't currently playing, but that's about it. In the back room of Theater Circle they have some t-shirts and other souvenirs at a discounted rate of shows that recently closed, but nothing too old. I'm not sure where you would find things from classic shows. Maybe the BC/EFA Flea market, but that's not until September 21st.

[Solstrom]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 6:26pm

Thanks so much about your answer :)
Someone could tell me about the South Pacific B&N exclusive edition ? Is it always available ??

[amoni]

Posted: 8/16/08 at 8:22pm

Here is the page for the Broadway stores with addresses. You can print out a coupon for 10% off

http://www.broadwaynewyork.com/coupon.asp