The best item I ever purchased at a Broadway show was a roll of toilet paper signed by the cast of Urinetown.
Window cards and posters are nice, but the best merchandise is creative and show-specific. I’ve compiled a list of 10 completely badass pieces of merch from current and recent shows. (FYI, this list also conveniently doubles as my birthday wish list.)
“Boy” T-shirt from Peter and the Starcatcher: How adorable is this shirt? And you don’t have to be a boy to wear it. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.
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Newsies tote bag: You can’t sell papes without a newsie bag. The best part is it has two shorter straps or one long strap so you can wear it over the shoulder like a real newsie – whatever that means. Plus, if you get a newsie cap, you can complete the ensemble and possibly be Jack Kelly for Halloween.
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Once logo scarf: Once has the best logo on Broadway, so any merch containing said logo is pretty awesome. This scarf wins because Broadway logo scarves are not very common. In fact, this may be the only one I’ve seen. (The Mark Cohen scarf you crocheted yourself does not count.) And since theaters are always ridiculously cold, it will probably come in handy during the show.
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Book of Mormon buttons: Lots of shows sell buttons, but the Book of Mormon buttons are my favorite. I have “Hasa Diga Eebowai!” and “I Believe,” which I can alternate depending on how I feel about the world in general that day.
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Sister Act compact: Sometimes you just need some bling in your life, like this decked out compact. Plus it says “fabulous” on it. In case you ever need a reminder.
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Nice Work If You Can Get It bottle opener: It’s cute because Brownbeard is the bootlegger in the show, which takes place during prohibition. And it’s useful because you may need a drink after Matthew Broderick’s performance. Going along with the alcohol theme, the Bonnie & Clyde bullet hole flask is pretty brilliant. You can still buy it at the Playbill Store.
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Rock of Ages MP3 wristband: This may look like a leather-studded wristband, but it’s also a flash-drive which includes wallpapers of the cast and album cover, a printable album cover poster, buddy icons, a digital booklet, iPhone wallpaper, iron-on sheet, make your own ’80s t shirt, and the cast recording. I don’t think they had all that in the ’80s, but still.
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Mary Poppins umbrella: If you’re the type of person who spends time on theater sites, you were probably the type of kid who watched Mary Poppins a lot. And maybe fantasized about flying like Mary Poppins. This umbrella probably won’t help you do that. And the parrot probably doesn’t talk like in the movie. But it’s still pretty cool.
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Peter and the Starcatcher bracelet: I tried to stick to one item per show, but Peter and the Starcatcher has such great merch, it gets two spots. Rope is so crucial to the storytelling in the show and it also makes for a cute accessory.
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Godspell tissues: These were issued for promotional purposes and weren’t actually sold at the theater, but these Godspell tissue boxes with “Bless You!” written on them are great. They’re also handy for drying your tears of misery when your favorite show closes.
What are some of the best Broadway souvenirs in your collection? Tell us!
{ 6 comments… add one }
I recently purchased the “Seize the Day” baseball T from Newsies. Not only is it the softest thing I own in my wardrobe, but it makes me feel bad ass. Something about having a mantra printed in GIANT letters across your chest makes you feel like you could do anything.
I have the Peter and the Starcatcher rope bracelet and LOVE it! I use the star on my key chain and wear the rope alone. So badass.
One of my favorite merch items that I bought was my Elsie “Moo With Me” cow from the Rent tour YEARS ago when they first started selling her. I also love my American Idiot dog-tags and guitar picks that I picked up throughout the run of the show.
I bought a Billy Elliot t shirt when I saw it in London and I wear it all the time because it is literally the softest thing I own. I also enjoy my “You’re F***ed” Spring Awakening shirt. It’s a head turner. And my HAIR key chain. People always ask about it so it makes me feel popular.
I still have the Rent keychain on my keys from when I was 14 (which, for the record, was almost 15 years ago). I love how hardy it is, it has lasted through everything and is a little knocked around but still looks amazing and makes me happy.
There actually was a Rent scarf back in the day! I still have it! It’s knit, red and black stripes one side, “525,600” on the other in red on black. But it’s kinda lame. It’s no more than 2′ long, while Mark’s real scarf wrapped around several times and still went to his knees. That Once one looks much more useful.