The 2013 Flea Market Thread- Page 3

[somethingbypuccini 2]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 8:27pm

I'm mostly interested in Playbills, and I got some really great finds. Original cast of Streetcar, original South Pacific, and a lot of other really great ones. I didn't have a problem with anyone working, they seemed lovely and perfectly willing to help me, make conversation about what I was looking for, etc.
I did notice that the crowds were particularly rude today. A lot of shoving, a lot of grabbing, and just a lot fo bad attitudes. Maybe I'm just being idealistic, but in the past I've always had such a great experience with other people there. We're all there for the same reason, and there are always great opportunities to chat with people while looking at the playbills, like givesmevoice said. But I didn't see much of that this year.
Still I had a great time, and I'm definitely glad I went.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 8:31pm

This was only my 3rd Flea Market, but the patrons were way ruder than the last two I've experienced. However, people working the tables were as great or even better than usual. Bravo!

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 8:44pm

Yeah, except for that one table, everyone (as usual) at the tables was really really nice.

[jetts7]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 8:51pm

I found some really cool things today at the Flea Market!
.'Chaplin' front of house poster
.'Ghost The Musical' Hat
.'Kinky Boots' Poster and Cup
.'Stick Fly' Fly Swatter
.'Shrek The Musical' Shirt
.Brava! Shirt
.Australian 'Addams Family' Program
.'Nice Work If You Can Get It' Poster
.'25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' CD
.I won a 'Shubert Organization' Book
.'Mary Poppins' Cast Signed Poster for $1!

[ILRPinkGirl]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 8:53pm

I had a great time at the Flea Market - I agree that it was incredibly crowded and a little pushy in places, but it turned out to be a beautiful day and I had a wonderful time!

I was able to nab a few things I was excited about (I was a sucker for the signed Cinderella ball invitations), but was hoping someone may be able to offer insight on one item I found...At the end of the day at the Cinderella table, there was a silver travel mug with stars on it that said "You're all stars to us! Love, Dolly and Pat". The people at the table had no idea what it was and sold it to me for 50 cents. I am guessing it was an opening night gift from 9 to 5, but am curious if anyone can confirm this or suggest where I could look to find more information?

[dave1606]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 8:57pm

I was there today. I didn't find it as successful as in years past. I think a lot of this is due to the fact that I have now gone every year for a bit.

The best advice I can say about the flea market is to always go twice, once in the morning, and once around 5pm when everything is a dollar or less.

I tried the autograph booth this year, and it was a VERY stressful experience. I got in line 70 minutes before the 1pm slot, and barely made it in. I got everything signed I wanted, but I had read like Jordan, that it was three items per person so I was a little upset when they told me it was two. Still, as their hour was almost over, I did understand the need for it. As a note, Jeremy Jordan was not very pleasant during this hour. Maybe it was because I caught him at the end of it, but he barely made eye contact, and seemed totally disinterested to be there. Everyone else, especially Matthew James Thomas, and Zachary Levi were a delight.


The only item I found in the morning was a Pippin Poster from ART which I was glad I bought as I didn't see them later in the day. It was $20, but I'm glad I got it.

Later in the day, it was a grab bag of both fun and trashy. I LOVED the performers T-shirts I got 2 for $1 and was happy to get a last five years magnet and the how to suceed magnet.

I loved the Bring on the Cheer ornament I got too as well as the White christmas ornament i found.

Oveall this year wasn't as exciting as years previous, and the morning was definitely crazy crowdwise, but as always it is still one of my favorite events of the year.

Updated On: 9/22/13 at 08:57 PM

[bwayalltheway]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 9:38pm

I went at about 5:15 today, and got some pretty good deals.

Elf Programs, and a copy of A Midsummers Night Dream, the guy said free, and to donate what I felt so I handed a few dollars over. $5 Hands on a Hardbody Coffee Mug, $1 Rent Poster. a $10 Sweet Charity poster signed by Walter Bobbie, and since it was the end of the day, I got an entire box of the opening night playbills from the late 80's-early 90's for $5. The woman shoved as many as she could in there, and I got some really fascinating playbills. Definitely some great deals at the end of the market.

Also met Thomas Kail, who was shocked when someone recognized him, and got a picture and a ten minute conversation!

[CapnHook]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 9:46pm

Things I learned at the Flea Market this year:

- avoid the spin-the-wheel table like the plague
- don't walk in the street, walk BEHIND the tables on the sidewalk, then cut through to the street when you see something at a booth that you want
- leave the market during the matinee shows (2-5pm) and return after
- if you spend $60 at the pick-a-ticket table, you'll only win tickets to one show, and that show will be PERFECT CRIME
- don't assume that the people selling items will know anything about the booth's items for sale. not even prices.
- if you see a unique item, like a huge theatre poster or marquee, the price will be $200-500. and no, they won't bargain down to $50 at the end of the day.

All this being said, I enjoyed myself and bought some windowcards from closed shows at dirt cheap prices. I really do appreciate all the volunteers at the tables, even if they didn't know anything about what they were selling.

I wish that each booth's organizers would better organize and label their items. At one of the booths, they had boxes of unopened items under a table. I asked if the box was of items they were selling, and was told yes but they didn't have time to unpack it yet. I found 6 windowcards that were not on display. I did the same at another table, and found some scripts for cheap.

People who displayed "vulture" attitude, at least that I saw, didn't seem to be theatre people. They were tourists who were looking for bags and clothing. I was highly amused when someone next to me asked what the Phantom of the Opera logo was on a hat she wanted to buy. She just thought the mask was cool.

[TheaterGeek]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 9:57pm

I have to agree with the consensus of how rude and pushy people were this year. I think it is entirely rude to be knocking over fellow theater lovers looking to possibly find a treasure you aren't even interested in.

As for the photo booth I was extremely disappointed because of the $10 photo price. I expect "more popular" stars to be a little higher. I only got one photo for $10 and I won't mention the name, because he is much more established. The $50 fee was outrageous. In years past $40 or $50 was for two actors in the same show usually or had some sort of other connection. I was certainly not going to spend $50 to get a photo with the amount of people they were asking it for. I had a list of who I wanted photos with and when I saw the prices they were going for I got turned off very quickly.

In terms of "stuff" I bought, I did wait until the end and got window cards for $1, one for free. I bought a Hugh Jackman program that was $10 at one (which I was at) then saw it for $5 two tables down.

I thought it was great that a lot of the Newsies came out to their table. I bought a $5 pape and had everyone that was there sign it. I ended up getting a photo with Cory, who was awesome as well.

I know the money goes to a WONDERFUL charity, but the prices this year were way too high, especially for the photo booth.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:00pm

Yes, people were really pushy. Strangely, I didn't find the playbills to be too interesting this year. I got 5, but I have gotten more in past years. My rule of thumb with most items is to try to get it for below retail price, unless it is something rare or autographed. I always expect the autographed stuff to be a bit pricy. I also feel like in past years some of the tables had more creative ways of raising money. That was always a riot to see some of that.

And a warning to everyone for next year. I heard from someone at that table with the greatly organized playbills, they won't be doing that in the future. Apparently they are redoing their offices or something and don't have the space to store and organize all of that.

My purchases:

Playbills:
2006 Tony Awards
The Performers
Peter and the Starcatcher
Jekyll & Hyde (Most recent flop)
Nice Work If You Can Get it

Cups:
Elf
Follies
Nice Work If You Can Get it

CDs:
42nd Street (2001 Revival Cast)
How to Succeed... (Daniel Radcliffe)
Catch Me If You can
50 Shades the musical (I won it at the spin the wheel table)
Janelle Monae (Won this too)

Into the Woods DVD
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers DVD
2004-2005 Playbill yearbook-It was only $1!
Signed invitation prop fro Cinderella
Wit Poster, just for the frame it had. If anyone wants the poster, you can have it.
Finian's Rainbow window card (Sadly, this might be destroyed. My water bottle leaked on it in my car on the way home. )

[LuminousBeing]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:15pm

I'll take the W;t poster if shipping isn't inconvenient. Happy to pay postage, of course. I loved that play. (Is the poster from the production with Cynthia Nixon?)

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:28pm

If you see a unique item, like a huge theatre poster or marquee, the price will be $200-500. and no, they won't bargain down to $50 at the end of the day.

CapnHook, that's not true. One table that was selling a giant piece of the SCANDALOUS marquee was asking $500 for it at the beginning of the day and ultimately sold it for $50 by the late afternoon.

Updated On: 9/22/13 at 10:28 PM

[broadwaycam]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:30pm

I got alot of stuff.

Nance Poster
Shrek Poster
Finian's Rainbow Poster
Kinky Boots Poster
Flea Market Poster
Broadway Bares Poster
Chaplin (Thicker Board) Poster
Schubert Organization Book
Ghost CD
How To Succeed CD
Sister Act CD
Beauty & The Beast CD
Ashley Brown CD
Chaplin 3/4 length Sleeve Baseball Style Shirt (I think they only sold like 1 of them at the flea market.) $10
Pippin Shirt (Like almost none were sold at the flea market. I got like 1 of 2 that were for sale. Only cost $7.)
Jesus Christ Superstar Shirt
Godspell Shirt
La Cauge Shirt
Hands on a Hardbody Shirt
Gypsy Shirt
Promises, Promises Hat
Ghost Fake Hard Hats
Barry Manilow Hat
Sister Act Opening Night Gift Picture Frame
Nice Work If You Can Get It Program (Free)

I may have forgot to list a thing or two but that is what I can remember.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:36pm

"One table that was selling a giant piece of the SCANDALOUS marquee was asking $500 for it at the beginning of the day and ultimately sold it for $50 by the late afternoon."

Kathie Lee must have been devastated. I would bet the famous Emily Faye got that piece.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:37pm

Yikes did I go way over my budget this year but:

Opening Night hat gift from George C Wolfe to the Lucky Guy cast $5
Opening night cast gift wall clock from the RHPS revival $5
Hands On A Hard Body cast gift Jacket $25
Hands on A Hardbody Fame/Script $5
Big Vonya/Sonya "Playbill" blown up and signed by everyone $65
Ed Asners pest sprayer from GRACE signed $150
Cry Baby license plate $1
SUPER RARE Public Lab mug (not sure what year but has Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson: The Concert Version on it) $1
Hair 09 revival opening night dogtag $5
Viva Forever opening night "invite" t-shirt $10
High Fidelity t-shirt $5
Passing Strange mug $3
Godspell shirt $4
August Wilson Employee Jersey Boy shirt $5
Newsies metal keychain $3
Anything Goes opening night ship whistle with wooden box (which ended up having an American idiot guitar pick inside) $20

and a few other shirts/mugs etc.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:43pm

What table had the Viva Forever shirt and when - did you go early in the day?

[Marianne2]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:44pm

LuminousBeing-Yes it was from the Cynthia Nixon production. It is all yours. PM me so we can work out details. I don't think shipping will be an issue at all.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:45pm

table outside Sardis had them until at least noon (I got one around 9:30 and we went back for one for my friend) pretty rare deal.

[broadwayboy101]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:46pm

I agree that there seemed to be something lacking this year, though it was still a fantastic day. I didn't find the prices to be that high compared to years past, but I mainly go for the Playbills so that's probably why. I did notice more "pushiness" than before - whoever said they missed the camaraderie of looking for certain Playbills, I completely agree with you. When someone would ask if anyone had seen a particular Playbill, they would usually get no reply or a very short "No" and a glare. Seemed a bit ridiculous to me.

The volunteers were all fabulous, but I definitely witnessed some hostility at a table as well - two volunteers actually got into a pretty heated argument in front of people. It was really odd and a bit uncomfortable for everyone around.

[Rainbowhigh23]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:55pm

Thanks, Playitagain. I didn't get there until 1PM and went straight to the photo booth waiting area for Bernadette. I would have loved that shirt - I didn't buy a shirt at the theater in London because they cost a fortune! I did get some VF drink cups that I kept and the souvenir program that I gave to Iluvtheatertrash for Christmas.

[PlayItAgain]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 10:58pm

well these ones werent for sale in London they were the rsvp's for the shows opening night so their super limited.

[emilyfaye48]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 11:34pm

I did buy the Scandalous poster. I also got an opening night coffee mug that says "A fresh cup of mercy" it was a good day.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 9/22/13 at 11:51pm

I found some pretty good stuff this year...I wasn't able to go back in the later afternoon but I was pleased with what I managed to get. My favorite find was probably a Urinetown roll of toilet paper signed by the full original company. I also found an Anarchist notebook for a dollar which made me laugh so much that I bought it.

[dreamcoat12]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 12:03am

Favorite thing I picked up was an original Tams Witmark script book of Man of La Mancha for $1! One of my favorite shows!

[grumpyoptimist]

Posted: 9/23/13 at 12:26am

This was my third consecutive, I agree that 1) in most places stuff wasn't as unique 2) attendees do seem to be getting ruder. Almost all my action (and damage) this year was at the not-so-silent auction because the flea market just didn't do that much for me. Big props to Wicked and Phantom, who always bring stuff most of us would never have access to, and Pippin, which did not go nuts with its pricing (except the Patina Miller tambourine, which I waaaay overpaid for). Kinky Boota, with its $500 signed boot and $200 signed stilettos would be the other end of the spectrum...