Rejected Posters of Broadway Classics Put on Sale to Help Theatre Artists Amid Pandemic

Letting the world see your failures is usually something most people try to avoid. “So it’s kind of wonderful that they’re now out in the world, for better or for worse.” The 16 posters included in the series — each goes for $399 with a frame — were either rejected, never pitched or part of a group of submissions that Verlizzo made that allowed only one winner. One highlight is an alternative poster for “The Lion King.” Disney, of course, went for Verlizzo’s stark animal mane stamp that has become iconic. The latest set — on top of a collection of his work, “Fraver By Design: 5 Decades of Theatre Poster Art from Broadway, Off-Broadway and Beyond,” show Verlizzo’s range, which includes everything from woodcuts to elaborate typography to stylized illustration. He tries to come up with something to “catch your eye or intrigue a possible audience member.” In addition to art for “The Lion King,” Verlizzo has made his mark on Broadway with hundreds of posters for such shows as “Sweeney Todd” and “Sunday in the Park with George.” He has no hard feelings if his design isn’t picked by producers.