“We started doing the flea markets almost by accident,” says Tom Viola, Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS who has been a part of it since its first days. “The final cast of the original company of A CHORUS LINE put out two tables to sell items before the show closed. The next year it became an official event.” He adds, “We view this event as the event that officially kicks off the season, and is the Broadway community’s company picnic.”

Baltimore native Ben Ryland has been to 19 of the 21 flea markets. “I talked about the event so much I ended up with a car full, then a car caravan and finally bus trips.” Ryland now organizes large trips every year. “For one day every year as an audience member I am allowed to feel like a member of the Broadway community,” he adds.

“You can get things there that you could never get anywhere else in the world – it is the best kind of flea market possible,” says established Broadway actor Bryan Batt, who has been involved in the flea market since the early stages. “I was in STARLIGHT EXPRESS in 1987 with Jane Krakowski and helped man the booth,” he says.

The Broadway Flea Market and other BC/EFA events have drawn national attention over the years thanks to touring shows. “From audience appeals to cabaret shows, the (road) shows are talking about us,” says Viola. With the generosity of fans and theatre patrons, BC/EFA is able to fund over 400 organizations across the country, with the assistance of national grants. A large portion of money also goes toward the Actor’s Fund of America benefiting any professional in theatre battling a terminal illness.

Items one might find on the tables throughout the day are old set pieces, signed show posters and Playbills, original scripts, costume pieces and more. Over 52 tables representing the majority of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, as well as producing organizations, theatrical unions and guilds, gather to raise money.

There is also a Celebrity Table, where celebrities from stage and TV join together to sign autographs and greet fans in exchange for donations. A tentative schedule of appearances can be found on the website www.BroadwayCares.org.

After checking out the tables, attendees can join hosts Batt and Sotheby’s auctioneer Lorna Kelly for the Grand Auction. Beginning at 4:30pm, more Broadway stars join the fun in auctioning off rare items to bring in the big dollars. “It is wonderful the things you can find and collect,” says Batt. “But there is nothing I won’t do to get that price up.”

Items up for bidding this year include walk-on roles (pending show approval) for LEGALLY BLONDE, MAMMA MIA!, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, JERSEY BOYS, RENT and ABC’s “Ugly Betty”, musical phrases handwritten and signed by Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz and Duncan Sheik, a VIP Tony Award Package and much more.

Wanting to attend, but unable to get to New York on September 23rd? “Thank God for the Internet,” says Viola. Visit www.BroadwayCares.org and learn about past flea markets and auctions, make online donations and, most importantly, bid online for the coveted auction items. Or arrange a real-time phone transaction during the auction to get closer to the action. However, for those returning or going for the first time, Batt offers these wise words of advice: “When you see something you really want, buy it, grab it. Treasures will go quickly. Get it then, don’t wait, don’t procrastinate.”

By: Katie McCulloh