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BroadwayWorld.com's Last Minute Special Gift Guide - Click to Buy!
By: Robert Diamond Dec. 21, 2010
Since Oprah Winfrey just had her final 'Favorite Things' show (twice), I thought that I'd take an opportunity for those of you who have waited until the last minute to make some suggestions for your holiday gift giving, which you can still get with a full range of prices for your budget.
These are MY Top 10 favorite gifts for this holiday season and, please note, that they are in no particular order, but BroadwayWorld.com has done all the research for you, for quick, click-on shopping to make it easier for you.
I can personally guarantee that any of these gifts on the list will make that certain or special someone really happy and YOU happy, too, as we help you save money.
Anything from the Apple Store, or a gift certificate especially knowing that the new iPad should come out in February 2011, with a bunch of added features and at least one camera. Also, these are perfect for BroadwayWorld.com's App to keep up with all the latest news, video and more.
Barbra Streisand has blown it out of the water with this book with fantastic writing that is so personal that you'll be overwhelmed and satisfied with how she put her 'American barn' together, but also learn insights into the woman who seems to have no boundaries to her talents. What you haven't read or heard about, in most of the interviews, is that Streisand herself took approximately 90% of the photos in this book. And, why not? It's her vision and her eye. Great for fans and a coffee table treasure, a bargain at Amazon.com.
The Big Apple Circus is one of the best values for your dollar that you can currently find in New York City. For kids, friends and the kid in you, you can't spend a better two hours, at the moment, and they are up at Lincoln Center, under the big top, through January 13. Tickets are a no-brainer as a perfect gift and if you saw the 3-part PBS series, CIRCUS, you'll be stunned when a familiar face walks you to your seat. Right now, there's not a more fun event in New York City for your theatre dollar.
GLEE is another no-brainer. All things GLEE from the music to this fantastic Season One collection of episodes with LOTS of extras. For the Gleeks you know, or for the person whose guilty pleasure it is - surrender and you won't be sorry.
iTunes is without a doubt, the safest gift that you can get for anybody who loves music, movies and television. iTunes Music Cards come in all denominations and you can purchase them online and send them via email, or buy them in stores and give them as gift cards. NO RISK INVOLVED and the perfect gift for those of you who wait until the absolutely last minute.
Sondheim, the Birthday Concert is another no brainer and a must for everyone's shelf and a perfect tribute to the genius of the man and his 80th birthday celebration. There's something here for everyone and a few iconic performances that will go down in history and are sure to be playing at Musical Theatre Mondays at Splash.
Stephen Sondheim: Finishing the Hat is my personal favorite thing of this entire year. This is the greatest argument against iBooks, eBooks, etc. as this is a book that you want to hold, pour over, highlight, write in, circle, etc. etc. There has never been a richer book in theatre history, so generous with the contents and with insight into the man who changed the game and who has almost made musical theatre hard to recover from or to continue with, by comparison. A bargain, if you click here.
No list would be complete without tickets to a Broadway show. If you know someone who wants them, you can buy them in advance and there are also various discount opportunities that you can take advantage of as theatre attendance is traditionally lower after the first of the year and discounts are available for many of your favorite shows.
Also, you should know that you can buy gift certificates for anyone who might be coming to New York or who lives here, for the half-price booth known as TKTS at both locations in Duffy Square at 47th and Broadway or downtown at the South Street Seaport.
Click Here for Gift Certificates!
Another fantastic opportunity is to buy a membership to TDF (Theatre Development Fund) where your friends and family will be offered discounted tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway shows throughout the calendar year when they are available. This is a most fantastic value and opportunity for the theatre-goer on a budget.
Click here to join yourself or to join up someone as a gift.
The Nintendo Wii is one of the most innovative video game system to come along in some time. Not only is the Wii great to share with family and friends, but the options for games and entertainment are enormous. I have to say that my current favorite is DANCE ON BROADWAY, which a BroadwayWorld favorite, Chase Brock had enormous input into. Everybody loves competing for higher points when what's at stake are musical numbers from shows like HAIR, CHICAGO, CABARET, HAIRSPRAY, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE and oh, so much more! This is a sure thing for young to old and the highlight of many a party. We've seen pros and non-pros go on the air on national television straight through our own NY1 here in Manhattan. It's the TWISTER of the 21st century.
Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS is the most respected and honored not for profit organization of its kind serving the theatrical community and beyond. Every year they put out the greatest catalog of gifts for theatre fans and if you click here, you can take a tour of your own and pick that perfect gift for that perfect someone in all price ranges and still have it under the tree for Christmas. You're also helping in a way that you cannot even imagine. It's a win-win and the Broadway community will be so grateful for your purchases and contributions.
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