LIVE AT BARNES & NOBLE Series Expands Throughout Manhattan

LIVE AT BARNES & NOBLE, has announced a series of special performing arts programming to showcase writers, composers, Broadway casts, recording artists, etc. on the occasion of book publications or CD/DVD street dates. These events will launch artist memoirs & bios, original cast recordings, companion books or special compendiums, solo albums and other related merchandise that is available for sale at Barnes & Noble. This is both a re-launch and expansion of the hugely successful series formerly know as "Live at Lincoln" that will now span various Manhattan locations. 
 
Onstage conversations integrated with musical performances: Patti LuPone, Andy Williams, Charles Strouse, and other entertainment legends launched their memoirs with this format, followed by a book signing. Similar formats matched up authors and Broadway performers to launch bios of Kaye Thompson and Noel Coward, while Chita Rivera, Barbara Cook and others used the format to launch CDs. Performances by Marvin Hamlisch & Donna McKechnie highlighted conversation for the Every Little Step DVD release, Loretta Ables Sayre sang at the Blu-ray launch event for South Pacific with guests including Mitzi Gaynor, and Theodor Bikel & Kate Baldwin sang classic Rodgers & Hammerstein songs at the Sound of Music anniversary celebration featuring book and CD.

The mini-concert: Liza Minnelli launched her "Liza's at the Palace" CD with a 30-minute set including four songs, special guests and patter from her acclaimed show, followed by a CD signing. We hosted similar events with Ann Hampton Callaway, Michael Feinstein & Cheyenne Jackson, Christine Ebersole, Ricky Ian Gordon, Liz Calloway, Lucie Arnaz, Sutton Foster, Billy Stritch, Duncan Sheik, Jason Danieley & Marin Mazzie, Victoria Clark, Jane Krakowski, and many more.

Cast performances and/or Talkback: Audiences have jumped at the opportunity to experience Broadway casts up-close for the launch of original cast recordings such as La Cage Aux Folles, Promises, Promises, Memphis, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Rain, The Addams Family, Million Dollar Quartet, Finian's Rainbow, West Side Story, Hair, Gypsy, South Pacific, Next to Normal, Company, Grey Gardens, Curtains, Xanadu, A Catered Affair, and more. Most of these events featured three selections from the score and occasionally adapted the "Talkback" format of post-show Q&A sessions held in Broadway theaters. Wherever possible, the creators participated as well. 

Tribute with performances: This format was used to launch special publications such as an August Wilson compendium with Leslie Uggams, Ruben Santiago-Hudson and other actors doing dramatic readings from his plays; and a performance by the cast of Our Town in a tribute to Thornton Wilder that tied into a published collection of his letters.

Other formats: As long as there is a major performance component with "A" list talent--we are open to suggestions--bring them on!
 
Upper East Side (150 East 86th Street at Lexington Ave.)--This flagship store is the primary "Broadway" location for musical events. The enclosed space affords the artists a private rehearsal and soundcheck, platform stage, Yamaha upright grand piano, professional sound and lighting, built in CD/DVD player and retractable screen for tracks or presentations, and a green room with private entry. Seating can be configured for 125-175 people plus standing room. This space is also ideal for more intimate performances by solo artists from the worlds of Off-Broadway and cabaret. It has an ongoing jazz program that has featured several ensemble performances and the legendary Ron Carter, as well as kid-friendly musical programming which has featured Kelli O'Hara and Michael Cerveris with the Our Time kids, John Tartaglia with the cast of ImaginOcean, and Dan Zanes.
Tribeca (97 Warren Street at Greenwich Street)-- Perhaps the more "pop" location, the open space includes a platform stage, professional sound and lighting, built in CD/DVD player and retractable screen for tracks or presentations, and a green room with private entry. Seating can be configured for 80-200 people plus standing room. Ziggy Marley, Peter Yarrow, and the Barenaked Ladies have all performed here.

Union Square (33 East 17th Street)--The primary location for our Upstairs at the Square program, it's cavernous open space lends itself to "downtown" musical events. It includes a large platform stage, professional sound system, and a green room with private entry. Seating can be configured for 300-500 people plus standing room for several hundred more. Ideal for CD launches by major artists. Regina Spektor, Rufus Wainwright, Rosanne Cash, Paul Simon, Vampire Weekend and many more have performed here.

Upper West Side (2289 Broadway at 82nd Street)--A neighborhood clientele and comfortable open event space makes this one of our most requested "conversation" stores, being newly outfitted with a platform stage and professional sound system, and expanded seating capacity for up to 200 people. It will best accommodate group discussions and talkbacks with casts similar to what we've hosted with Lend Me a Tenor, Next Fall, The Miracle Worker, and other Broadway plays.
 
These performing arts events receive high-profile advertising in such places as the New York Times, Time Out New York, Village Voice, New York Observer, BroadwayWorld.com, Playbill.com and other venues. All ad/promo will contain the special "Live at Barnes & Noble" logo. UES events are also promoted on special animated screens located at the store's street-level entrance.

For additional information, visit: www.bn.com