There’s a disorder known as “theatre withdrawal.” It’s that harrowing feeling theatre show participants get when the play is over and there are no more rehearsals, no more performances, no more bonding with cast members. Their lives soon consist of tears, heartache, blurting out of musical numbers or dialogue and yearning for their next show.
But imagine those theatre lover friends and family members you know. They experience this as well, as they wait for the next live theatre show they can attend. Showtunes are part of their Pandora playlist. Playbills and show posters are framed and hanging on walls. They are MIA during the Tony Awards. They had a viewing party for NBC’s “The Wiz Live!”
To make these special people in your life happy, here are some great holiday gift ideas for the Broadway Black fan!
“The Wiz Live!” DVD and CD (and The Wiz Anything)
There’s no place like a trip to Oz. The year ended on a high note with NBC’s “The Wiz Live!”, directed by Kenny Leon and starring Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige, David Alan Grier, Uzo Aduba, Amber Riley, Elijah Kelley, Ne-Yo, Stephanie Mills and Shanice Williams. The awesomeness of “The Wiz Live!” can still fill hearts and souls. Now it’s on DVD and there’s an original cast recording with a bonus song. Should you really want to score some cool points, create a gift certificate valid for your theatre fan to have tickets to see The Wiz when it returns to Broadway for the 2016-17 season. Of course, you will need to purchase those tickets when they go on sale. Stay tuned to BroadwayBlack.com.
If you want to go all out and celebrate the 40 years of Broadway’s “super soul musical,” snag the vinyl of the 1975 The Wiz Original Cast Recording as well as the vinyl or CD of 1978 The Wiz Original Motion Picture Soundtrack featuring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson. Speaking of Ross, Motown Records/Universal released Diana Ross Sings Songs From The Wiz in November featuring Ross’ version of songs from the film original recorded in 1978.
Trust, The Wiz fan you get (all) this for will be easing on down the road for a long time with this kind of gift package.
Hamilton The Musical Anything
Of course, you must get the Hamilton cast CD and tickets to the show. But take a visit to the Hamilton website and click on ‘Shop’ to create your very own Hamilton Swag Bag complete with: Hamilton apparel; souvenirs like a coffee mug, button set and/or postcard set; even the Alexander Hamilton book by Ron Chernow upon which the musical is based.
Black Broadway: African Americans on the Great White Way
Written by theatre producer and historian Stewart F. Lane aka Mr. Broadway, this is a must-have book celebrating Black actors, playwrights, directors and more. It “highlights the rocky road that Black actors have travelled to reach recognition on the Great White Way.” The doors to the theatre world were shut to Black actors and actresses, and the depiction of Blacks was extremely demeaning. Black Broadway provides an entertaining, poignant history of a Broadway of which few are aware. By focusing a spotlight on both performers long forgotten and on those whom we still hold dear, this unique book offers a story well worth telling.” You also can add a gift card to your favorite bookstore for the thespian who needs that next play to read or monologue book to research.
BroadwayCon Tickets
The first-ever convention for Broadway and theatre fans will hit New York Jan. 22-24, at the Hilton Midtown hotel. BroadwayCon will be paradise for any theatre fan, and you will be loved for eternity… or at least 525,600 minutes. It will feature panels with Broadway performers (including a reunion with the original cast of Rent as it celebrates 20 years, along with Hamilton cast members), performances, workshops, photo and autograph opportunities. Plus, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Broadway Cruise
Set sail on the high seas with Broadway on deck. Playbill Travel hosts two routes in February (Caribbean) and September (Italian Riviera). Royal Caribbean’s Broadway At Sea cruises include Grease, We Will Rock You, Cats, Mamma Mia! and Saturday Night Fever. Coming up for 2017 is another The Broadway Cruise complete with its theatre camps; in previous years has included Tony Award winner Nikki M. James, among a host of others.
54 Below
A night out at Broadway’s Supper Club, 54 Below, is a night to remember. Gift cards are available. Some events on the calendar for 2016 are: Melba Moore, Ben Vereen (January); The Shakespearean Jazz Show (February); Broadway Rocks No Doubt (March); and 54 Sings Chaka Khan (April).
Tickets, tickets and more tickets!
You really can’t go wrong with buying (good) tickets to a Broadway or Off-Broadway show or even a national tour. It’s really that simple. Cop some tix. BroadwayBlack.com has you covered on some ways to go about getting your hands on them. But sometimes just being in the building is good enough. For those times of not-so-great seats but an amazing show, just have some binoculars handy (HQRP’s Theater Glasses Binoculars, Levenhuk Broadway 325F Binoculars or Carson OperaView Ultra Compact Binocular, to name a few).
New York Broadway Theatre Package
For those not in New York, hook them up with a Broadway Theatre package. Not only do they get a trip to one of the greatest places on Earth, they can check out some of the hottest shows for 2016 as well as tour some historic venues.
BroadwayHD Subscription
The tagline goes: “If you can’t get to Broadway, get to BroadwayHD.” Founded by Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley, BroadwayHD is an online streaming service for Broadway and Broadway caliber shows. Documentaries and interviews also are featured. How it works: sign up for a free account; find a show and pay; enjoy a Broadway show anytime. Subscriptions are annual and monthly, plus an option for pay-per-view. The content can be viewed via computer, phone, tablet or television. Some of the shows include: Romeo and Juliet (2014); Memphis (2011); Hamlet (2002); The Member of the Wedding (1997); Othello (1990); and Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Ladies (1982). So, yeah. Broadway and chill…
Season Pass To Local Theatre Company
Support Black theatre wherever you are by purchasing season passes to a local theatre company. That’s it. Do it.
Live Audience Member for FOX’s “Grease: Live!”
The live one-night musical production of Grease (directed by Thomas Kail of Hamilton and In The Heights fame) will be Jan. 31, in Burbank, California. Ticket requests are now available to be part of the audience. It’s a long shot, but you might be able to surprise that 50s rock-and-roll geek with a peek into the latest adaptation featuring cast that includes Keke Palmer, Vanessa Hudgens and Mario Lopez.
Camp Broadway
For theatre-loving youth ages 6-17 as well as adults, Broadway professionals with the New York-based Camp Broadway conduct workshop programs designed to rehearse and perform like a Broadway star. Camp Broadway’s summer programs also can be found at many of the nation’s foremost performing arts venues. Since 1995, the company has hosted over 20,000 children from around the world at its summer camps and enabled over 300,000 students to attend a Broadway show as part of their Broadway-themed workshops.
Broadway Posters
Help theatre lovers build their art and poster collection. Triton Gallery houses an extensive archive and offers custom framing. Then there is One Shubert Alley for “all things Broadway.”
And, don’t forget the greatest gift. That’s to tell somebody about BroadwayBlack.com so they can stay up to date with “the achievements and successes of Black theatre artists on and off the Broadway stage.”
