Audible Moves Into the Minetta Lane Theater

NEW YORK — In March, Audible Inc. moved from the aural space into the physical New York theater world when it sponsored a run of “Harry Clarke” at the Minetta Lane Theater. Now, the audiobook company is formalizing its relationship with the theater: It struck a deal to produce plays, comedic shows, panel discussions and more there, starting with a solo show from Carey Mulligan in June.

The deal represents the next step in Audible’s move toward live performance. The company resurrected David Cale’s “Harry Clarke,” which closed at the Vineyard Theater in December and received a New York Times Critic’s Pick, for a secondary run. And last month, Audible announced a production of Dennis Kelly’s “Girls & Boys,” which will star Mulligan and arrive at the Minetta in previews June 12.

Now, a new collection of performances will be staged across various genres. The first announced event is June 25, when Lance Bass and Nikki Levy will host “The Path to Pride,” a storytelling event with personal readings from members of the LGBT community. The performance is inspired by an audiobook special from Bass and Levy that will arrive on Audible on June 1.

Audible hopes the deal with the theater will not only sell tickets but will also boost its audio subscriber base. Billy Crudup’s performance of “Harry Clarke” at the Minetta is now an audiobook, and future performances — including Mulligan’s — will also be turned into downloadable presentations. And subscribers will receive exclusive access to discounted tickets and additional audio content.

“We are equally proud to bring these outstanding live performances to our listeners globally, enabling those outside of New York to experience their own private performance of these productions,” Donald Katz, Audible’s founder and chief executive, said in a statement.

Future productions at the Minetta Lane will include commissioned works from its inaugural class of emerging playwrights, including Leah Nanako Winkler, who is also a Yale Drama Series Prize recipient. And the company said it is planning performances in other cities as well.