Photo of Drama Books sign hanging perpendicular to the doorway
Clothes
You will want to go to the fashion district and yes, just like in the movies, there are racks of clothes being wheeled in the streets. You will find this area between 7th (Fashion) Avenue and Broadway and between 35-38 Streets. This is where the wholesale district is. All the stores look like really disorganized minature warehouses and all the doors are locked and say "Wholesale Only". That's okay. What you do is go up and down the streets until you see a door that's open and a hand-made sign that says "sample sale". What they're doing is clearing out the current season stock and moving onto the next season. They are selling both left over stock and client samples. If you happen to be a size 5, 7, or 9 -- you'll be in major luck. That's the size samples come in. You can find some real steals at these sales. We're talking $10 for some major pieces. We're also talking some truly ugly stuff sometimes (why do you think it didn't sell). But some nice bargains to be had.
Also, shops along 34th Street tend to be cheap little boutiques where you can find some interesting stuff.
By the way, Macy's is on 34th & 7th. Save your receipts, you may be eligible to receive a free backpack or bag with the Macy's logo on it. At the Times Square Visitors' Center (47th and 7th), there's a little brochure from Macy's that you can get. There's a form in the back that you fill in and turn in with your receipts. Bloomingdales is on 61st and Lexington. Take home some souvenir "bloomies" from Bloomies.
Knock Offs (Bags, Clothes, Watches)
Okay, for the "designer" stuff, the only place to go is Chinatown (below Canal). This is not for the faint of heart. There is some "backroom" dealing going on (seriously, in the back room, no windows, video camera showing the front of the store in case cops come in). Prepare also to barter like crazy. If you're no good at it, bring a friend who is not afraid to get into a fray. And yes, it will feel very surreal like you're in a movie.
Dance Clothes and Shoes
Okay, for this stuff, you can't beat Capezio's. The big store is on the 2nd floor (look up or you'll never see it) on 47th (I think, maybe 48th) between Broadway and 7th. They usually have some mega shoe sale on of some kind. I'm addicted to buying tap shoes there. There's also another one on Broadway (again 2nd floor) and 56th. This one used to be called "Taffy's" before Capezio took over, so many people still refer to it as Taffys. This selection is not as big, but if you can't find something in the main store, go here.If you want major quality and are willing to pay the big bucks, Freeds of London has a store on 61st Street (I'm pretty sure it's there) and just west of Broadway (I think it's 6th). Fabulous jazz boots that last an eternity. They'll run you close to $85 US (before taxes -- which is 8.5% last time I was there).
Drama/Theatre
This place has plays arranged both alphabetically by author and by title. The staff can find you anything. In addition to plays, there's also a fabulous selection of monologue collections and books on other theatre related topics.
You may also want to check out Barnes and Noble. This is a large book chain (similar to Chapters and Indigo in Canada), but much bigger. They have one store specially devoted to arts topics -- a four storey wonder right by Lincoln Centre (Broadway and 65th Street). This place is cool because they often have author/composer signings and readings (I personally got Terrance McNally's autograph and just missed composers Kander and Ebb by one day -- I had to fly home!). Very comfy with lots of chairs to just lounge and read in. I've spent entire afternoons browsing in there. Also, bestsellers are 20% off, and hardcovers are 10% -- and you don't have to have a "membership". The selection of playscripts is not as extensive as Drama books, but still very good. The final place for theatre related books, etc. is Applause Theatre Books. The last time I found it, it was located at 72st and Amsterdam Avenue. This one tends to move around a bit, so you may have to hunt. I usually find what I want/need in the other two stores.
Music/Sheet Music/Cast Recordings
Sheet music and Musical Selection books are available at all the mega music stores: HMV, Virgin and Tower. You can also look at the broadway souvenir shops located in Times Square.
If it's cast recordings you're looking for, New York is an absolute mecca of shopping. The mega stores (listed above) have HUGE Musical Theatre areas! It's not just one small rack in the corner -- we're talking aisles and aisles. Heaven!!
If you are trying to locate the cast recording of a currently playing musical, it helps to price shop. The mega stores are very competitive. The difference is usually $4 or $5 (that's US$) on a CD but can be as high as $8. The problems is that different stores discount different albums. It also helps to buy the CD in the first two weeks of release (and you'll know, mega cut-outs and chalk boards throughout the stores announce release dates). What's also cool about the mega stores is that sometimes the casts of the Broadway shows come in to sign the CDs in the first week of release. A word to the wise: it's worth the wait in line to get autographs -- buy two or three -- you can sell them for a fortune on ebay. Make sure that you get a photo of yourself with the stars (or just a photo of them signing) to prove to the ebayers that you've got the real autographs.
A word about cast recordings do not buy them at the theatre! We're talking top price -- hike yourself over to Tower or Virgin after the show (open to midnight) and get it then. Even if it's not on sale at those places, it's still $5 cheaper than what they're charging at the Theatre. Also do NOT buy cast recordings at Colony. Very overpriced. The best stores to check are: Tower Records, (72nd & B'way), HMV, (65th & B'way -- across the street from Barnes & Noble -- also 34th & B'way), Virgin Mega Store (Times Square)
Souvenirs
I personally go bananas. T-shirts can be had usually 3 for $10 or 4 for $10 (depending on how far out of Time Square you go). Sometimes theres a price war and they go 6 or 7 for $10. These are for the ones out on the street. Inside the stores, they're a LOT more expensive (and slightly better made). Depends on what you want it for. I buy the cheapies so that I can bring some back for gifts, but not spend too much -- thought that counts and all that jazz.
Theatre Souvenirs. You want to go to One Schubert Alley which is in the Theatre district just off Times Square. The little store is in the Alley between 44 and 45 Street. Cute little thing. Also, you MUST take your picture standing next to the posters advertising the currently running B'way shows. I do that every year with whoever I'm travelling with and I can tell the year from the posters of the shows behind me. There's also a nice theatre gift shop in the Mariott Marquis complex (just across the street, 45 Street and B'way). And check out the one on 44th (45th?) called Theatre Circle. They have playscripts as well as souviners. For the slighter more serious "theatre person".
