Well, “theater tickets” is the DUH answer to the question, “what do I get for the theater enthusiast in my life, but if a pair of orchestra seats is too expensive, or your Broadway fan lives in Topeka, there are other options for giving the gift of theater.

Cast Recordings

Since Decca 78’s, original cast recordings (NEVER say “soundtracks” to a theater geek) have been the next best thing to being there. Granted, showtunes don’t exactly make the Top 40 anymore, but on the upside, more productions, on and off Broadway, tend to get preserved than ever before. For example, even if you didn’t see one New York musical last season, you could snag cast CDs (or downloads of) virtually every tuner that trod the boards in 2012-13:

BRING IT ON: THE MUSICAL – Those competing cheerleaders from the 2000 film were given the Broadway treatment, courtesy of Amanda Green, Tom Kitt and “In the Heights” songster Lin-Manuel Miranda. (Universal’s Back Lot Label)

CHAPLIN: THE MUSICAL – Rob McClure’s performance as the little tramp-turned-big star is preserved on Sony Masterworks.

ANNIE – The revival closes Jan. 5 at the Palace Theater, but the Shout! Factory CD featuring Anthony Warlow, Katie Finneran and Lilla Crawford, can be on your playlist tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

ELF – What could be more holidaisical than a show with such tunes as “Nobody Cares About Santa” and “Sparklejollytwinklejingley”? (Ghostlight Records)

A CHRISTMAS STORY – Well, in answer to the “Elf” question, this show, which returns to Broadway this month and has such numbers as “Counting Down to Christmas” and “Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana”. (Masterworks Broadway)

THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD – Stephanie J. Block was Tony nominated for her turn in this Rupert Holmes revival. Hear why on this DRG 2-CD set.

SCANDALOUS – Also Tony nommed last season was Carolee Carmello for her bravura turn in this gospelly Kathie Lee Gifford and David Friedman musical. (Shout! Broadway)

CINDERELLA – Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” had never been done on Broadway before, so Ghostlight does a real service in bringing the Broadway production to iPods everywhere.

HANDS ON A HARDBODY – Critics groused about the book but usually found things to like about the score by Amanda Green and former Phish, Trey Anastasio. (Sh-k-boom)

MOTOWN: The Musical – Love that R&B sound? You can get the original Broadway cast CD of this big-selling Broadway musical and/or “Originals” – a compilation of songs by the original artists (e.g., Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, etc.). Not sure why you’d need both, but they’re both available from Universal Music (which ate up Motown a few years back).

MATILDA: THE MUSICAL – The RSC London cast not enough for you? “Matilda” also recently put out a Broadway cast CD, again featuring the acclaimed Bertie Carvel as Miss Trunchbull.

PIPPIN -- By all accounts, the Tony-winning revival is something to see in person, but if you leave humming the songs, Sh-k-Boom has your fix, too.

KINKY BOOTS – This one actually debuted at #1 on the Billboard Broadway Albums chart, not to mention the show winning the Best Musical Tony and a raft of other awards. Cindy Lauper proves her talent really is so unusual. (Masterworks Broadway)

Books

SONG OF SPIDER-MAN – Now that “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark’s” producers have thrown in the towel, even they’re getting in on the “what the hell” spirit of Spideybashing. Glen Berger, who worked with Julie Taymor on the 1.0 version of this financial Hindenberg, penned a tell-all book that the producers are now getting people related to the production to read from in YouTube clips. From the bits I’ve heard, “The Inside Story of The Most Controversial Musical in Broadway History” doesn’t have the most scintillating prose, but if you’re curious how top creative people with the best of intentions and unlimited cash can pull off the theatrical version of “Heaven’s Gate”, Simon and Schuster has the book for you.

FOSSE – A sprawling bio of one of the major 20th-century directors and dance stylists, Sam Wasson’s book about Bob Fosse runs 723 pages and, as New York Times critic Janet Maslin puts it, “abounds with colorful first-hand tales.” (Eamon Dolan/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

THE UNTOLD STORIES OF BROADWAY: Tales from the World’s Most Famous Theaters (Volume 1) – Jennifer Ashley Tepper’s book of amusing, touching and informative anecdotes is organized theater-by-theater and includes the memories of Broadway legends such as Patti LuPone, Alan Menken, Christopher Durang and seemingly zillions more. (Dress Circle Publishing)

ANYTHING GOES: A HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATER – Ethan Mordden has been writing voluminously about the Broadway musical (including decade-by-decade books on the subject). His latest effort doesn’t try to be a textbook for Theater 101; it’s more, as the Wall Street Journal review notes, of a galloping, subjective “survey of an art form seen through the eyes of a breathless and opinionated host.” (Oxford).

Movies

LES MISERABLES – The big Christmas release of last year (so big, there’s now talk of doing the same with “Cats” at some point – ugh), Tom Hooper’s film version of the beloved “Les Miserables”, was released on DVD in March and is widely available for people who want to relive Anne Hathaway’s Oscar-winning turn, as well as acclaimed work by Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen. (Universal Pictures).

SIX BY SONDHEIM – This HBO documentary, directed by James Lapine, looks at six classic Stephen Sondheim songs (including “I’m Still Here”, “Being Alive” and “Sunday”) and examines their impulses and creations, as well as the ups and downs of Sondheim’s life in the theater. The show premieres on cable Dec. 9, so it likely won’t be a DVD release till next year, but if your holiday giftee doesn’t have HBO, here’s a possible excuse to upgrade for them.

Games

BE A BROADWAY STAR – Released three years ago, this board game (designed by producer Ken Davenport) takes players through acting school up through earning an Equity card, getting an agent, auditioning, getting a show and possibly even a Tony. Of course, you have to sing, dance or act to get there… (beabroadwaystar.com)

TCHOTCHKES

Broadway-goers can mill about Theater Circle or the Drama Book Shop, but if you’re behind your computer and want to find the “Chicago” poster, “Wicked” t-shirt, “Book of Mormon” coffee mug or “Matilda” keychain for the gleek in your life, you might try www.broadwaystore.com.