Comedian Lewis Black to Headline BEA's Book Industry Foundation Benefit

Bestselling author and Daily Show regular, Lewis Black will headline this year's BookExpo America (BEA) Book Industry Foundation Benefit. BEA Industry Vice President and Show Manager Lance Fensterman made the announcement this week.

Black, a celebrated comedian and author of Me of Little Faith (coming from Riverhead Books in early June), will take the stage at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Los Angeles in a performance exclusively for BEA participants on Saturday, May 31, at 9:00 p.m.

Proceeds from Black's performance at BEA will help support the Book Industry Foundation, which is comprised of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) and the Association of American Publishers' Get Caught Reading Campaign.

Calling Black "both wickedly funny and a widely respected writer," Fensterman said, "We are thrilled that Mr. Black is committing his valuable time to support BEA and these crucial causes, and I'm certain the audience will be just as thrilled."

"We are delighted to have Lewis Black as the star of the Book Industry Foundation benefit this year," said ABFFE President Chris Finan, adding "He's always very funny, and this is an election year!"

The BEA trade show will be held from Thursday, May 29, through Sunday, June 1, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The Orpheum Theater is located in downtown Los Angeles, near the convention center. Tickets for Black's performance will cost $35 and will be available via the BEA website, bookexpoamerica.com. Tickets for all BEA special events will go on sale March 1.