An Interesting Set-Up

It's so hard sometimes, trying to track down the perfect gift for that theatrical friend who seems to have everything. Or giving your Upstairs/Downstairs or Heaven/Hell party that certain something to stand out from all the rest.

Fortunately, Boston Lyric Opera has the solution: buy the set for Carmen on eBay.

EW.com pointed out this week that the BLO is auctioning off its set for the 2002 production of "Carmen on the Common," the opera that drew about 140,000 to the Boston Common that summer. The multiple-level structure, now in storage, measures in at 25 feet tall, 50 feet wide and 42 feet deep -- perfect for that empty stage you've been wanting to dress up.

In all seriousness, Bostonist applauds the idea of recycling the set -- at $1,000, it could help out a small theater company hoping to mount a big show with a relatively small budget. We have had the experience of "breaking down" (theater speak for "taking jigsaws to those walls, YEEHAW!") some beautiful sets at the end of productions and like the idea of letting the hard work that went into the construction process continue to impress audiences in the future.

No one has placed a bid yet. If you've got a 48-foot truck handy, you can pick it right up in Brockton or plunk down an additional $1,500 to have it shipped to you.

Besides, $2,500 for a set is chump change compared to the cool $1 million that Britney Spears' hair was going for last month.

Post contributed by Victoria Welch. Photo of the Carmen set courtesy of the BLO eBay listing. Actors not included in the winning bid -- we think.