Opus Launches New Destination Concept in Entertainment

Opus Launches New Destination Concept in Entertainment

First Immersive Music Venue To Open in New York in July

NEW YORK, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- "We're not gonna take it! Never did and never will!" In their rock opera Tommy, The Who sung about legions of fans being pushed around by the tyrant their idol had become, but they may well have directed their ire at the music industry itself, which has long treated concertgoers like sheep willing to be fleeced. Music fans will soon gain an alternative with the debut of Opus, a new breed of destination for enjoying a musical concert in a more accessible, comfortable and affordable setting. Opus Entertainment is announcing plans to open its first 16,000-sq. ft. venue this summer at the Palisades Mall in West Nyack, New York, just miles north of New York City, and subsequently launching in other major suburban malls across the U.S. The nearly 3 million sq. ft. Palisades Mall boasts more than 20 million shoppers last year and anticipates seeing more this year.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050707/NYTH026 )

The music themed entertainment and dining facility will allow patrons of all ages to enjoy taped and simulcast performances by leading artists in an immersive musical atmosphere, while incorporating the best elements of a high-end movie theater and high-quality restaurant.

"This concept has gained relevance in recent years, especially given the high cost of tickets for live shows and the challenge of enjoying them," explains Opus founder Ken Croney. "And while concerts on TV may be accessible but not exciting or social, Opus offers an alternative that delivers the immediacy and communal experience of a great show without the drawbacks."

Patrons will first enter the Opus Lounge, a 7,000-sq. ft. environment dedicated to the passion of music -- where visitors can surf the Internet at the 15 computer terminal stations, download music, create custom CDs, play musical instruments in individual sound-booths, watch the latest music video releases and enjoy an all-day quick-food menu. The lounge is open daily and free for all, regardless of if they are seeing a show. Visitors are greeted at a concierge station, where they can be guided through the lounge and also buy tickets for current or upcoming concerts. Opus Lounge is the perfect meeting spot, before or after the concerts, to enjoy conversation with friends or just to relax and hang out.

Inside the 7,000-sq. ft., 260-seat Opus Theater, it is state-of-the-art audio, video, lighting and other technology, anchored by an oversized screen and digital surround sound. Opus is designed to tailor its atmosphere to match each show and audience: dynamic lighting for rock concerts and more open space for dance-oriented disco nights. Unlike traditional movie or concert seating, Opus has private tables or booth seating for four, offering a more relaxed, social option. Patrons can reserve a table on the floor or circulate to the mezzanine bar level, which also offers comfortable seating to view the show or enjoy a private party room that can accommodate a group of 20.

While dinner or lunch can be enjoyed while watching the concert, the lounge is available for beverages, sandwiches and snacks. Through a partnership with New York-based Restaurant Associates, Opus will feature a breadth of American cuisine: from a variety of Caesar, Cobb and other salads, to roast chicken, hamburgers, tuna steak and grilled vegetable sandwiches, the fare is decidedly more delicious and diverse than the typical hot dogs and nachos found in most concert venues. A full bar provides similar diversity in drink choice.

Opus will feature two main concerts nightly by popular artists across genres -- from rock to rap, country to classical -- and patrons can view each venue's schedule via the website: http://www.opustheater.com/. While serving adults in the evening, Opus will also offer programming for young children during weekday mornings, seniors in the early afternoon, and teenagers on weekend days and late afternoons.

Among their drawbacks -- including location, parking, safety, cleanliness, smoke, stiff seating, limited service, and poor food/drink quality -- concerts have been getting increasingly expensive. Despite a dip in Summer 2005 concert prices, ticket costs have risen dramatically in eight years -- up 79% for popular tours, from an average of $26 to $47. And for those in the nosebleed seats who must watch the Jumbotron to see the action onstage, the live concert experience can feel disconnected. In contrast, Opus is affordably priced at $10-12 per ticket, delivering not only exciting shows in a more refined setting, but from a front-row perspective.

"It's clear that Opus will be great for music fans of all ages, but it will also be an opportunity for labels and artists seeking to reach audiences," says Opus founder Elizabeth Whitmore. "With its daypart programming, strategic on-site merchandising and other opportunities, new and smaller bands will be able to cultivate a fan base at Opus locations regionally or nationwide."

Opus Entertainment is guided by a team with deep experience in business, led by J. Kenneth Croney, Jr. and Elizabeth Whitmore, private business owners who have been partners since 1999. They currently own companies in California and on the East Coast in the legal services and software industries. Prior to that, Croney was active in the assets management and banking industry for nearly a decade, having graduated from William and Mary in 1990. Whitmore, previously in the finance industry and public policy research industries, earned an MBA from Harvard University in 1996.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050707/NYTH026 Source: Opus

CONTACT: Mary Kaye Daniels of B|W|R Public Relations, NY, +1-212-901-3938, marykaye.daniels@bwr-ny.com, or Dvora Vener of B|W|R Public Relations, LA, +1-310-550-7776, dvener@bwr-la.com, both for Opus

Web site: http://www.opustheater.com/

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