The 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction held yesterday Sunday, September 27 raised a grand total of $403,929 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA). Since its debut in 1987, which then raised $12,000, the 23 editions of The Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction have raised a grand total of $8,161,752 for BC/EFA. BroadwayWorld.com was there for all the celebrity filled action!
The Flea Market and Grand Auction is an annual fair in which Broadway, Off-Broadway and other members of the theatrical community donate and sell their wares to benefit BC/EFA. The event also included the Celebrity Table, where celebrities gathered throughout the day to sign autographs and pose for photos in exchange for donations. The climax of the day was the Grand Auction in which truly unique and priceless items are auctioned off live to the highest bidder. To see photos of the celebrity tables click here.
The event is typically held outdoors in Shubert Alley, though due to weather conditions this year's event was held at Roseland Ballroom on 52nd Street. "The 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction was a testament to the unique enthusiasm and great heart of the theatre community and its loyal fans," said Tom Viola, executive director for BC/EFA. "Changing venues from outdoors in Shubert Alley to indoors at Roseland over 24 hours was both necessary and extremely crazy, but ultimately a success, making a day that surely would have been cancelled, truly unforgettable. My hat is off to the intrepid BC/EFA staff and extraordinary volunteers, as well as to the entire theatrical community for their good will and extraordinary generosity of spirit. But next year, please: Let the Sunshine In!"
This year, there were 64 tables which raised a collective $192,429. The booth that raised the most money this year was the booth hosted by "Broadway Beat" which raised $12,640. The show booth that raised the most money was Wicked which raised $9,663.
Broadway and daytime stars made appearances at the Autograph Table and Celebrity Photo Booths, which was emceed by Scott Nevins and Michael Lee Scott and raised $14,770. Dozens of stars donated their time and support to the tables including: John Stamos, Alex Cole, Alice Ripley, Anthony Rapp, Bernadette Peters, Beth Leavel, Billy Magnussen, Bobbie Eakes, Bobby Steggert, Bonnie Dennison, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Bryan Batt, Cady McClain, Caitlin Van Zandt, Carole Shelley, Chad Kimball, Chita Rivera, Chrishell Stause, Christiane Noll, Christopher Sieber, Colleen Zenk Pinter, Constantine Maroulis, Dana Ivey, Danny Burstein, David Andrew MacDonald, Dee Roscioli, Diana DeGarmo, Dominic Nolfi, Elizabeth Ashley, Ellen Dolan, Eric William Morris, Erin Mackey, Ewa da Cruz, Gavin Creel, Gregory Jbara, Haydn Gwynne, James Carpinello, Jason Danieley, Jessica Hecht, Jessica Leccia, John Glover, Jonathan Groff, Judith Ivey, Julie Pinson, Kate Baldwin, Kathleen Chalfant, Kerry Butler, Kevin Chamberlin, Loretta Ables Sayre, Mandy Gonzalez, Marian Seldes, Marin Mazzie, Marj Dusay, Marnie Schulenburg, Matt Cavenaugh, Mo Rocca, Montego Glover, P.J. Benjamin, Priscilla Lopez, Quentin Earl Darrington, Rachelle Rak, Rebecca Luker, Robert Newman, Rondi Reed, Rosemary Harris, Stephanie J. Block, Stephanie Umoh, Susan Blackwell, Thomas Sadoski, Tovah Feldshuh, Van Hansis, Vanessa Ray, Victoria Clark, Will Chase.
This year's Silent Auction, which was hosted by Michael Goddard and Felicia Finley, included 103 items and raised $36,590. The top item sold was a Les Misérables "I Dreamed a Dream" musical phrase, handwritten and signed by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil that went for $2,450. Other top earners were an A Chorus Line "What I Did for Love" musical phrase, handwritten and signed by Marvin Hamlisch that went for $1,475, and a Jersey Boys "Big Girls Don't Cry" musical phrase, handwritten and signed by "Jersey Boys" Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli that went for $1,150.
This year's grand auction which featured longtime BC/EFA auctioneer Lorna Kelly and actor Bryan Batt (TV's "Mad Men") featured 64 "lots" which raised $175,000. The top-selling lot was a set of VIP tickets to A Steady Rain, with a backstage meet-and-greet with Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig, for $7,500. Other top earners were a walk-on in Wicked for $6,000 and a special "Celebrate the Tony Awards" ticket package for $5,500.
All food was provided by Tony's Di Napoli (147 W 43rd Street).
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the nation's leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes and other critical illnesses across the United States. Since its founding in 1988, BC/EFA has raised over $160 million dollars for critically needed services for people with AIDS and other serious illnesses. BC/EFA is the major supporter of seven programs at The Actors' Fund - including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, The Dancers' Resource and three supportive housing residences. BC/EFA also awards annual grants to over 400 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide.
Photos by Linda Lenzi
