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Broadway’s return was further celebrated this past Sunday, October 3, as the 35th Annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction returned to Shubert Alley in NYC to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The event, last held in person in 2019 and which was all virtual in 2020, came back in-person to raise $753,321 through a combination of tables, live auctions and online components to allow theatre fans outside of Manhattan to celebrate.
West 44th and West 45th Streets were packed with masked theatre fans who were eager to score show memorabilia, posters and even handmade items while raising money for charity. Autographed props, lyric sheets and of course, bins of old Playbills were available for browsing on the tables while the live auction featured some higher bidding options – for example, lighting designer Jules Fisher’s 1973 Tony Award and Nomination Certificate for Pippin were auctioned off for $16,200.
“We have so much to be thankful for today. We celebrate taking care of each other. We celebrate science. We celebrate vaccinations. And we celebrate making sure all of us can participate in these events for the good of public health. The generosity from all in our theatrical community, those onstage, backstage and in the audience, shined brightly today and will make a lifesaving difference tomorrow for those needing a supportive shoulder or helping hand,” Broadway Cares Executive Director Tom Viola said at the live auction.
In spite of the pandemic, the outdoor event was able to safely return almost exactly the same as years prior with a few differences. There were fewer tables set out to allow fans social distancing space (though all of the workers as well as the vast majority of attendees were masked). The favorite of many regular attendees, the Autograph Table and Photo Booth, was not present at this year’s market. Instead, as BCEFA did last year during their all-virtual flea market, fans could purchase one-on-one video calls with their Broadway favorites, similar to a FaceTime call, which allowed fans who could not attend in person a chance to participate. Special “Fleabay” bundles were offered on Broadway Cares’ eBay store as well.
The tables were both of Broadway shows and other theatre groups. Participating were Aladdin, American Utopia, Beetlejuice, Freestyle Love Supreme, Frozen, Hadestown, Hamilton, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Mean Girls and Waitress.
Other groups that had tables were ATPAM, Broadway Green Alliance, Broadway Makers Alliance, Casting Society of America, Dancers Over 40, DKC/O+M and The Fabulous Invalid, Jujamcyn Theaters, The Lights of Broadway, Manhattan Association of Cabarets, Michael Crawford International Fan Association, The PATH Fund/Rockers on Broadway, Bardo Arts (formerly Reel Time Video Production), R.Evolución Latina, Roundabout Theatre Company, Second Stage Theater, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, Stage Managers’ Association, The Shubert Organization/Telecharge, Sweet Hospitality Group, TDF’s Pik-a-Tkt, Theatre World Awards and United Scenic Artists Local 829.
The top ten tables that raised the most money were:
Last year’s virtual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction raised $316,282. Since 1987, event has raised more than $15 million. Money raised at the event will benefit people with HIV/AIDS, COVID-19 and other critical illnesses.
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