The 16th Annual Grand Auction and Flea Market is ready to fill Shubert Alley with one-of-kind theatrical goodies and chance encounters between fans and Broadway celebrites Sept. 22, all for the benefit of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
One of the highlights of the flea market is always the Celebrity Table, where, for a small donation, fans can get the autographs of and take pictures with their favorite stars. This year's talent at the table includes Harvey Fierstein (Hairspray); Frankie and Johnny's Edie Falco and Stanley Tucci; Emily Skinner (Merrily We Roll Along in Washington, DC); Alan Campbell (Contact); Jonathan Dokuchitz (The Boys From Syracuse); Randy Graff (A Little Night Music in Washington, DC); Lauren Kennedy (London's South Pacific); Priscilla Lopez (A Chorus Line); Into the Woods' Christopher Sieber, Adam Wylie, John McMartin and Gregg Edelman; The Producers' Brad Oscar, Gary Beach and Sam Harris; Thoroughly Modern Millie's Harriet Harris and Marc Kudisch; Hunter Foster (Urinetown); Kathleen Chalfant (Wit); Oklahoma!'s Patrick Wilson; Proof's Len Cariou; and 42nd Street's Beth Leavel, Lucie Arnaz and Barbara Cook, among others.
The Grand Auction, whose items have not yet been announced, usually features TV and theatre walk-ons as well as valuable autographed photographs, posters, playbills and tickets to opening nights. Broadway Cares also conducts an online auction through the popular website, Ebay.com. Items include signed posters from various Broadway Cares events, including past Broadway Bares, Gypsy of the Years, Easter Bonnets and Nothing Like a Dames, as well as autographed playbills and show cards.
In 2001, the 15th Annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction, held Sept. 30, raised over $358,556. $50,000 of the 2001 proceeds from the combination garage sale and bidding war went to the Twin Towers Fund.
The Broadway Flea Market runs from 10 AM to 7 PM with the Grand Auction held at 4:30 PM. For more information on the Flea Market and other BC/EFA events, please visit their website at www.bcefa.org or call (212) 840-0770. — By Christine Ehren
