My Favorite Things: TheaterMania's Editor Picks Out What He Wants for Chanukah

Forget about raindrops and roses and whiskers on kittens. Those are nice, but they’re not what I want for Christmas and Chanukah.

Given my job, my house is filled with press boxes and tote bags and scented candles (so many scented candles). While a normal person may think we have more than enough — David, do you really need another branded rocks glass? —  my very specific kind of neurosis will tell you that there’s never enough swag and merch.

So here are the things I’m jonesing for this holiday season — and I’m sure some of you will be, too.

I have never wanted a $65 sweatshirt more than I’ve wanted this $65 Gypsy pullover. Listing the names of all the iconic actresses who’ve played Rose, from original leading lady Ethel Mermand to current star Audra McDonald, it’s an homage to the musical’s storied history in a variety of sizes. I really hope someone over there is willing to lend me their staff discount.

To purchase this and other goodies, visit the official TheaterMania store here.

I already have this, but I highly recommend it to you. You may already know about TheaterMania’s daily discounts to shows on Broadway and beyond, but do you know about Gold? TheaterMania’s members-only club offers complimentary and deeply discounted tickets to theater across New York. Gold has something for everyone — theater, concerts, lectures, comedy, dance, and other cultural events. You can see as many shows as you like over the course of your membership, which is $79.99 per year (you break even with the purchase of one single Broadway ticket).

Help someone special make memories all year long with a Gold membership by clicking here.

London is one of my all time favorite cities but it’s hard for me to travel since I’m a toddler parent. Fortunately, I’m able to immerse myself in the West End thanks to National Theatre at Home. With a constantly updating list of titles, newly added shows include Present Laughter starring Andrew Scott, Vanya starring (wait for it) Andrew Scott, the terrific British musical The Little Big Things, Cherry Jones in The Grapes of Wrath, Denise Gough in People, Places & Things, and, beginning later this week, Prima Facie starring Jodie Comer. All for $12.99/month or $129/year. Click here for more information.

Meanwhile, BroadwayHD has announced a number of exciting titles arriving on its platform this holiday season: the off-Broadway musical Between the Lines, the long-running UK tour of Maury Yeston and Peter Stone’s Titanic the Musical. In addition, they have recent hits like Billy Crystal in Mr. Saturday Night, Laura Benanti in She Loves Me, and Kevin Kline in Present Laughter, alongside all-time classics including Elaine Stritch at Liberty, Liza with a “Z,” Nicholas Nickleby starring Roger Rees, and the original production of Pippin. You can subscribe for $19.99/month or $199/year. Click here for more information.

When I’m looking for vintage items and things to collect, my early stop is on eBay at Applause Shop. Founded by Laura Heywood (aka BroadwayGirlNYC) and Susan Vargo, Applause Shop is a charitable online marketplace that re-homes theatrical paraphernalia including programs, sippy cups, opening night gifts, merchandise, and more, with a portion of sales going to organizations like Broadway Cares, Cancer Support Community, Planned Parenthood, and more. As you can see above, they’re now featuring original cast posters from Wicked and original cast Playbills from Phantom and Les Miz. Get ’em while they’re hot.

You can also find great trinkets and ornaments via Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and Ellen’s Stardust Diner, both of which have great keepsakes for collectors.

But I’m also a sucker for books. Here are the new titles that are on my nightstand that I highly recommend.

Incoming Second Stage artistic leader Evan Cabnet is a masterful director of new plays. He’s taken his years of experience and distilled it in the aptly titled new guidebook Directing New Plays: Tools for Art and Collaboration. See how a master does it.

Cher: The Memoir, Part One is a fascinating read, but particularly as an audiobook. That’s mainly because the narrating duties are split between Cher herself and her Tony-winning Broadway portrayer, Stephanie J. Block. There are points where you don’t even realize where Cher ends and SJB begins.

If you can’t make it to New York and want to read some of the newest shows, here are three great ones that have been recently released: John Proctor Is the Villain, by Kimberly Belflower (coming to Broadway this spring starring Sadie Sink); Suffs, by Shaina Taub; Lorraine Hansberry’s The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window, read by revival stars Oscar Isaac and Rachel Brosnahan.

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