This Maurice Sendak-designed rhino costume raised $5,251 for the New York City Opera at auction last week. It was one of 5,000 costumes and 1,000 props flogged off by the cash-strapped company, and one of the most lucrative. Many lots, including furniture and scenery, sold for bargain prices. A job lot of 32 'Sour Angelica Nun Habits' [sic] went for just $6 each.
But that won't have worried NYCO too much. The point of getting rid of 90% of their inventory, more than 80 productions' worth, was to save on storage costs. By no longer renting the storage facility, the company will save $500,000 a year. On a $14m budget that's one economy worth making.
See the full list of items sold together with prices here.
