31st Annual BCEFA Broadway Flea Market

One of my favorite Broadway events throughout the year is hands down the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction. Every year, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS holds an annual flea market to raise money for their cause. At this year’s event on Sunday, September 24, all previous records were broken and $1,023,309 was raised! The Flea Market was held in Shubert Alley (click here to read more about the alley's history) and along West 44th and 45th Streets. It is always such a beautiful day watching the Broadway community and thousands of loyal Broadway fans come together to support an organization we all believe in.

A few months ago, my mom mailed a silly plush scarecrow to my theater and he took up residence in the Female Ensemble dressing room at Wicked. (You can read more about him here.) I decided to donate him to the Wicked table at the Flea and the current Fieyro, Ashley Parker Angel, autographed him! I will miss him, but of course he sold right away and I hope he's happy in his new home!

For the second year in a row, the Gagged Girl Gang and I conducted a fun little scavenger hunt involving free chokers for all adorable Gagged Chokers gang members who attended. It was an absolute blast meeting/hugging/taking selfies with so many precious girls. My heart was so full!

The heart of New York City’s theatre district was pulsing with the energy of thousands of theatre fans and stars on September 24, 2017, at the 31st Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, which raised blew past previous grand totals and raised a record breaking $1,023,309 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Among Broadway memorabilia and keepsakes, 11 Broadway lovers went home with surprise finds: Janet from Atlanta went home with a prop arm cast from Dear Evan Hansen after seeing the show the evening before and calling it “a life changing experience.” A Miss Saigon fanatic, Robby from New York City was thrilled to find sheet music to the musical’s “I Give My Life for You,” signed by star of the 2017 Broadway revival, Eva Noblezada. Making it her goal to collect “one ginormous thing from the Flea Market every year,” Arielle from Pennsylvania found a massive poster from her favorite off-Broadway show at The Public Theater, Joan of Arc. Broadway leading lady Sierra Boggess didn’t have a chance to take home a signed poster when she was in School of Rock - The Musical, so she was thrilled to find one at the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction this year. The “world turned upside down” for a young Hamilton fan who found the perfect keepsake, a poster signed by the entire Broadway cast. The consummate collector, Robert from New Jersey added three vintage Broadway records to his stockpile of vinyls: Jesus Christ Superstar, Clinton The Musical and Judy At Carnegie Hall. Three best friends from Maryland found Reynolds Pamphlets used onstage in Hamilton, the perfect gift for their friend who is a propmaster at their local theatre. At the live auction, Elizabeth from Pennsylvania won the chance to say “Hello, Dolly!” to Bernadette Peters when she steps into the show this January. Broadway Sessions host Ben Cameron fangirled at the chance to take a selfie with former Wicked castmate and beloved star Stephanie J. Block. Three Broadway Flea Market first-timers were inspired to start collecting posters from their favorite shows after seeing the multitudes of collectibles available at the various tables. Grace from Los Angeles traveled across the country to take home swag from her favorite show, Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 - including a working chandelier from the show’s set. Broadway enthusiasts reveled in all things theatre as they searched for rare Broadway memorabilia, met their favorite stars and bid on one-of-a-kind experiences in Shubert Alley, West 44th and West 45th Streets. The day-long celebration featured 56 tables, 74 of Broadway’s brightest stars and 212 live and silent auction items. The 31 editions of the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction have collectively raised $13.6 million. This year’s grand total is the first to pass the million dollar mark, far surpassing last year’s then-record of $782,081. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $285 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and the Samuel J. Friedman Health Center for the Performing Arts. Broadway Cares also awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations in all 50 states. SUBSCRIBE NOW: youtube.com/BCEFA broadwaycares.org facebook.com/BCEFA twitter.com/BCEFA instagram.com/BCEFA