THE UNION SQUARE PARTNERSHIP, LEAGUE OF OFF-BROADWAY THEATRES AND PRODUCERS, GREENWICH VILLAGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND URBAN SPACE MANAGEMENT KICK-OFF HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IN UNION SQUARE

Off-Broadway Performers to Entertain Holiday ShoppersEvery Friday at 4:00 PM

New York, NY (November 27, 2007) – Today the casts of several Off-Broadway plays including Altar Boyz, The Fantasticks, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, and Stomp raised the curtain on four fantastic Fridays of Off-Broadway performances and caroling at the Holiday Market in Union Square.  Some of this year’s most talented Off-Broadway performers were on hand to give a preview performance to kick-off the holiday shopping season and highlight that during four successive Fridays (11/30, 12/07, 12/14 and 12/21) shoppers can enjoy a taste of some of New York’s hottest Off-Broadway shows as they wrap up their gift shopping in the Union Square area.  The performances are made possible by the Union Square Partnership and the League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers in partnership with Urban Space Management, which organizes the annual Holiday Market.

Throughout the duration of the Market (Friday, November 23rd, through Sunday, December 24th) shoppers also can visit the Union Square information booth, run by the Union Square Partnership, for special holiday coupons from local area businesses as well as discount coupons for a variety of Off-Broadway shows playing in the district and throughout New York City.

“With national retailers, charming boutiques, acclaimed theatres, and top-rated restaurants, the Union Square district is the destination for all your shopping needs this holiday season,” said Jennifer Falk, Executive Director, Union Square Partnership.  “So come visit us in Union Square for any one of our four incredible Off-Broadway performances.”

“Union Square’s annual Holiday Market – like many holiday markets of Europe’s public squares – is a place where both locals and visitors alike can enjoy the spirit of the season in one of our city’s great parks,” said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “The market brings the park to life in the winter, provides a great opportunity to purchase handicrafts, and also brings income to the city.”

Performers will appear on stage at 4:00 pm on each of the four Fridays to treat shoppers to live entertainment at 15th Street and Union Square West in Union Square Park. 

“The Off-Broadway League is honored to partner with the merchants of Union Square to kick off the Holiday season,” said George Forbes, President, League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers.  “Off-Broadway is proud to contribute to this vibrant and vital community.”

The annual Holiday Market at Union Square, operated by Urban Space Management, features more than 100 festive red and white booths at the south end of Union Square Park, near 14th Street.  Now in its 12th year, the market opened on Friday, November 23rd and will run through Sunday, December 24th offering great buys for you and yours seven days a week (Monday – Friday 11 am to 8 pm; Saturdays 10 am to 8 pm; Sundays 11 am to 7 pm; and Christmas Eve

10 am to 4 pm).             

“I love this festive time of year when city life becomes so vibrant and we all search for that perfect gift for friends, family and of course ourselves,” said Eldon Scott, President of Urban Space Management.  “And we’re thrilled that some of New York’s most talented Off-Broadway actors and actresses will be adding the joy of live theatre to this year’s Holiday Market at Union Square.”

“The Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to be helping bring more visitors to the Village, Chelsea and Union Square,” said Dirk McCall, Executive Director, Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce.  “We hope folks will patronize our wonderful restaurants and stores and help make this a wonderful holiday season.”

The Off-Broadway performances featured are thanks to the joint efforts of the Union Square Partnership, The League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers, the Greenwich Village Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, and Urban Space Management.

The Union Square Partnership is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for the revitalization of the 14th Street-Union Square neighborhood.  It seeks to improve the quality of life for its residents and businesses, and enhance the visitor experience, by providing supplemental public safety, sanitation, business promotion and community development services throughout the district.  For more information, visit unionsquarenyc.org.

The League of Off-Broadway Theatres and Producers was founded in 1959 to foster theatrical productions produced in Off-Broadway theatres, to assist in the voluntary exchange of information among its members, and to serve as the collective voice of its membership in pursuit of these goals.

The GVCCC is the Chamber of Commerce serving Manhattan between 37th Streets and Canal, river-to-river.  The Chamber organizes and represents the business community in our neighborhoods, providing maps and guides and promoting our businesses, while advocating for them with local government. 

Urban Space Management, a leading developer and manager of specialty retail projects in Great Britain and the United States, operates the Holiday Market at Union Square and the popular Holiday Market at Columbus Circle, which is now in its fourth year.

 

Contact:

Shane Kavanagh

The Marino Organization 

(212) 889-0808