NewsBidders "Let It Go" at 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market, Bringing in Record-Breaking SumThe 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, which was held Sept. 21 in and around Shubert Alley, brought in an all-time high of $713,986, for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
By
Andrew Gans
September 22, 2014
Adam Jacobs and Courtney Reed at the flea market
Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN
The 28 editions of the Broadway Flea Market have raised a grand total of $11 million. This year's fundraiser shattered the previous record of $681,892, set in 2012. The tables this year raised $369,616; the live auction raised $263,850.
“Expanding back into the now-renovated Times Square pedestrian plaza between 43rd and 44th Streets brought a wonderful energy and new fans to what has long been one of the most exciting days for anyone who loves Broadway,” said Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, in a statement. “What started as just a few tables placed outside the Shubert Theatre stage door between shows by the cast of A Chorus Line in 1987 has grown into a full day of celebration for the entire theatre community – not only those who fill these beautiful theatres but also those who create the magic onstage and behind the scenes eight times a week. The unending commitment of all to make a difference for hundreds of thousands of people in our neighborhood and across the country who are living with HIV/AIDS and other serious health issues is deeply appreciated and can never be taken for granted.”
The Top 10 tables raising the most money were Wicked with $21,869; Newsies with $20,173; The Phantom of the Opera with $19,210; TDF’s “Pik-a-Tik” with $14,392; United Scenic Artists Local 829 with $13,353; Creative Goods Merchandise with $13,222; ATPAM with $11,942; Reel Time Video Production with $11,115; If/Then with $10,061; Les Misérables with $8,083.
The Grand Auction included the live auction, which concluded the day, and a series of silent auctions, which were held every 30 minutes throughout the day.
The top-selling lot of the live auction was a handwritten musical phrase of “Let It Go,” from the hit Disney animated movie "Frozen." The phrase was written and signed by songwriters Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Idina Menzel, who sang the Oscar-winning song and voiced the lead character. The phrase sold for $9,000. An opportunity to meet Menzel backstage during the run of If/Then also was among the top live auction lots, bringing in $8,000. Walk-on appearances were a Grand Auction favorite with once-in-a-lifetime experiences onstage at Cinderella, Chicago, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Motown the Musical, The Phantom of the Opera and Rock of Ages collectively bringing in $86,400 with walk-ons in Wicked, Les Misérables and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical leading the charge with bids of $8,000, $7,000 and $6,750, respectively.
Other top live auction items:
Opening-night tickets and VIP party passes to The River, opening in November and starring Hugh Jackman, went for $6,200, followed by On The Town for $3,000 and It’s Only a Play for $2,200. In all, 17 opening-night ticket and party packages raised $39,750.
A separate package to see The River and meet Jackman backstage afterward went for a top bid of $6,000.
The opportunity to be a judge at BC/EFA's Gypsy of the Year and Easter Bonnet Competition went to two bidders for $7,000 each.
Special auction lots honoring three beloved entertainment legends – Joan Rivers, Elaine Stritch and Robin Williams – raised $5,050.
Barbra Streisand's new CD "Partners" signed by Streisand, sold for $1,300, while the full score of the duet “It Had to Be You,” sung by Streisand and Michael Bublé and signed by both, sold for $3,000.
This year’s live auction was hosted by Broadway and TV veteran Bryan Batt with Lorna Kelly, who made her 25th appearance at the Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction.
Jen Cody and Michael Goddard hosted the silent auctions, which featured 157 items and raised $80,520. The top silent auction item, which sold for $5,000, was a musical arrangement of “Can't Take My Eyes Off of You” from Jersey Boys signed by Bob Gaudio and late Bob Crewe.
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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 $250 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.
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Theatre's Biggest Stars Turn Out For the 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market
Theatre's Biggest Stars Turn Out For the 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market
The 28th Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction, which benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, was held Sept. 21 in Shubert Alley and along W. 44th St., between Broadway and Eighth Avenue.
