It's about the size of two stacked shoeboxes, and I recognize it the second the package appears on my stoop. Late November, early December; crisp air swirling the Hells Kitchen leaves as I fetch the box and carry it up four flights. There are trees going up in the apartments around me; strings of lights have been sloppily drooped over the railing. But my favorite sign of the holiday season is the box in my hands: the annual, limited edition, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS collectible snow globe.
This year's features a double proscenium arch over a circular red stage. There's a festive scene being portrayed in the center, with a chandelier above and audience watching the show in the round. Silver glitter serves as the snow, and "That's Entertainment!" is the score. Outside the glass, more audience members watch from the cheap seats, a large marquee exclaims "2014," and each of this years' shows has its name & logo in lights.
Extracting this snow globe from its Styrofoam mold, inside a box-within-a-box, is delicious, and I do it slowly, savoring it - knowing another year will pass before I have this opportunity again. She's a looker, this snow globe. And she looks fantastic lined up with her sisters on my window sill.
So - you can already tell what my favorite item is from the 2014 BCEFA Holiday Gift Guide. Buy this baby for any Broadway fan in your orbit and he or she will love you forever. But it's not the only option, folks. Here are some other items from the catalogue that have me singing:
The Broadway Cares Collection
-Silver-plated charm bracelet featuring The Lion King, Kinky Boots, The Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys, Chicago, Pippin, Phantom of the Opera, and Wicked.
-Wine charms, perfect for identifying your glass at the 2015 Tonys party (and the charms match your bracelet!)
-The umbrella, one of my favorite returning items, with over 20 show logos and a sturdy wooden handle
-Brand new LIZA 6" tall glass ornament, by artist Glen Hanson of Christopher Radko Company
-"Classic Collection" Playbill ornaments - there are now three sets, the newest of which includes Jersey Boys, Fiddler, Grease, Hello Dolly, My Fair Lady and Hairspray (sets I & II are also available this year)
-The annual BCEFA tote bag. I've had several of these and this year's is my favorite. Heavy-duty nylon with full-color show logos on both sides.
Music & Video
-Betty Buckley's Ghostlight, signed by Ms. Buckley
-Patti LuPone's Far Away Places, signed by Ms. LuPone
-Lea Michele's Louder, signed by Ms. Michele
-Laura Osnes' If I Tell You, signed by Ms. Osnes
-Audra McDonald's Go Back Home, signed by Ms. McDonald
-Aaron Tveit's The Radio in My Head, signed by Mr. Tveit
-Norbert Leo Butz's Memory & Mayhem, signed by Mr. Butz
-Shrek the Musical double DVD
-Six by Sondheim documentary DVD
-Carol Channing, Larger than Life DVD
-Into the Woods Original Broadway Cast DVD
-Elaine Strich Shoot Me DVD
-Memphis The Musical DVD
Toys & Gifts
-Broadway Monkey: A stuffled little primate with a tshirt that reads "I Love Broadway"
-Shakespeare 2 gig USB Flash Drive
-On Broadway 2015 Calendar
-1,000 piece Playbill Musicals puzzle
-"Broadway Baby" onesies in blue & white
-Circle of Hope Pendant with red ribbon charm
-BCEFA pillows in burgundy & navy blue
This, of course, is just a smattering of the offerings in this year's catalogue. Click through to make sure you don't miss a thing. If you find a favorite I didn't mention by name, be sure to tweet it to me @BroadwayGirlNYC.
Videos