Barnes & Noble Presents: “War Paint” Discussion/Cast Recording CD Signing

July 14^th, 2017-New York, New York- the 86^th Street and Lexington Avenue Barnes & Noble celebrated the release of the “War Paint” cast recording.  Scott Frankel-the composer who collaborated with Michael Korie to create the show’s music- was on hand to moderate a discussion and sign CDs. He was joined by the leading ladies portraying Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden: Patti Lupone (Rubenstein) and Christine Ebersole (Arden).

The doors opened at 9am to admit those waiting outside on a rainy morning.  Store staff directed everyone to the main floor cashiers to purchase their CDs.  With the event due to start at 2:30pm, some opted to go out and get food before coming back while others wandered around the store to stay out of the rain.

Around 10:45am, the beginnings of a line took shape by the Events Center on the lower level.  The line would wind around the aisles.  Everyone talked amongst themselves and awaited the opening of the doors. Staffers from Barnes & Noble came around to do a headcount and deliver occasional instructions. 

At 1:00pm, an announcement was made that Patti Lupone was not feeling that great (“in a lot of pain”) and would not be able to be there for the signing portion of the program. However, she would stay for the discussion and pre-sign everyone’s CD booklets so that they would get her autograph.  All one had to do was show either their receipt or CD case so the staff could ensure the correct amount of booklets were returned during the meet and greet with Scott Frankel and Christine Ebersole .

When the room was set up, Sean from Barnes & Noble let the crowd in according to wristband color. The crowd was such that a barrier outside the event doors had been set up near a close circuit TV showing the discussion. Those with white wristbands were let into the Event Center and others (with green wristbands) would be admitted if there were seats to fill. The rest were relegated to staying behind the barrier until those in the room had left the signing.

Quick instructions were given about photography (no flash photography allowed) before Steve Sorrentino introduced Scott Frankel.  Frankel introduced Christine Ebersole and Patti Lupone. The conversation began with questions to each of them about their “11:00 Numbers”-power song moments:  Lupone’s “Forever Beautiful” and Ebersole’s “Pink”. To this question, Lupone found “it hard to describe its (“Forever Beautiful”) meaning while Ebersole called her song("Pink") “an aria”.

The topics fell into place easily as the trio conversed. Ebersole plugged her cabaret shows at the club 54 Below taking place on Monday (the show’s off day) during September, October, November  of 2017.   Praise as a “must have” for the ”War Paint” cast recording from the New York Times sparked a lively debate on whether fans listen to the critic reviews; the power of the critic to affect ticket sales was addressed (Lupone remarked that their show was never a New York Times “Must-See”). At the end, the trio went off topic and explained the significance of “Bastille Day” (July 14^th).

After the conversation, the press photographers lined up to take their photos of the cast for their pieces.  Patti Lupone left as she was unwell.  Scott Frankel and Christine Ebersol got situated for the signing.  Staffers directed the left hand side to line up. Each was given a booklet pre-signed by Patti Lupone before stepping up to meet Scott and Christine.  The procession moved along, and soon the center row was gathering toward the back of the room.  The guests treated everyone well.

In closing, I am certain that “War Paint” has a trio of people that really understand the theater. Their observations about the characters were insightful.  Patti Lupone’s quest to explore the character of Helena Rubenstein is something that is important to her.  Ebersole thinks this show accomplishes what the Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden never got the chance to do-despite the fact that their offices were so close together. Finally, the best quotes came from Frankel when he relates the secrets of a long running show’s success: it lies in giving actors time to understand their characters and pull different aspects of that on different nights.

For the curious, you can find Christine Ebersole and Patti Lupone in “War Paint” at the Nederlander Theatre.