Zipper Factory Announces June Line-Up

The Zipper Factory announces its June line-up featuring some old favorites and some new shows:

Randy Blair (Adding Machine) premieres his new And Now For Something Completely Like Spring Awakening! An Entirely Original Theatrical Experience . . . Kind Of, which features brand new songs and comedy sketches centered around the plight of the creative soul.  "New and original ideas have been popping up all around us more frequently than franchises of Pinkberry. Or have they? From the Big Bang to the present day, Randy Blair takes you on a joyride along the rocky road to originality (stopping only for carefully timed pee breaks, a few hastily consumed late-night pieces of pizza, and every procrastinating writer's favorite sport: surfing the net. For porn. And YouTube videos of Carol Channing.) Featuring some brand new songs by musical theatre's most exciting new talents, as well as special celebrity guest cameos, And Now For Something Completely Like Spring Awakening . . .  explores the creative person's relationship to his or her own unique voice in the most enlightening yet non-pretentious of ways. But sexy. Oh yes. Very sexy."  Kristine Zbornik (A Catered Affair, Forbidden Broadway) directs, with Will Van Dyke (Wicked) leading the band.   Guest performers and writers TBA. Monday, June 2nd. 

 
THE MAESTROSITIES
Caught in The Zipper
In The Zipper's "Open Fly" Studio Cabaret
Monday, June 2 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $12 in advance/$15 at the door
The musical clown act The Maestrosities continue with their sell-out monthly variety show at The Zipper.  This month's guests include Grammy nominated trumpet sensation Kiku Collins, 2007 Apollo Grand Champion Hip-Hop Dancer Kenichi Ebina and comic juggler Tony Duncan.  As always, the show features heart-swelling, mind-bending tributes to the pop greats of our generation: Madonna, Jackson Five, Herb Alpert (and The Star Wars Cantina Song) played on tuba, ukulele, accordion, trumpet, clarinet and spoons, in addition to juggling, tap dancing and lots of other fun stuff.  Anyone can dream of being in a rock band.  Most people use better judgment and leave it at dreaming.  But these six clowns have triumphed over better judgment, to live that rock-and-roll dream for all of us.  Sort of.
The first Monday of every month.  New songs added all the time!

Lucy Woodward
Thursday, June 5 @ 10 pm
Tickets: $15
Having sung her way to Asia, Europe, Africa and "The Tonight Show," Lucy Woodward's sound continues to evolve on her new album, "Lucy Woodward…is Hot and Bothered." Drawing from early inspirations as varied as Etta James and Ray Charles to Björk and the soundtrack to The Jungle Book, Lucy's breathy title track takes the melody of a Yiddish lullaby Lucy's grandmother sang to her as a baby.  An award-winning songwriter, Lucy has written and recorded songs for several film soundtracks including Disney's Ice Princess, What A Girl Wants, First Daughter and Accepted.  She can also be heard on the new album by "American Idol" judge and Pop producer Randy Jackson.  "Lucy Woodward…is Hot and Bothered" was co-produced by Lucy and Grammy Award-winner Itaal Shur (Santana, Cyndi Lauper, and Maxwell) and Tim Kvasnosky (of the Electronica duo Home and Garden) and is now available on iTunes and exclusively in all Barnes & Noble stores and on BN.com.

BROWN GIRLS BURLESQUE
Shockadelica!
Friday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7 at 11 p.m.
Tickets: $25 - $40
Brown Girls Burlesque is a collective of women of color dedicated to creating their own reflection in the art form of burlesque. BGB celebrates their cultures and sexuality with fierceness, artistry and humor in their newest show, Shockadelica!  The BGB Sexy Dancers are Going Crazy to fête His Royal Badness, the sexiest and fiercest Artist to ever grace the stage in stilettos while ripping crazy guitar solos on His 50th birthday.  BGB will drive you Delirious, Playing in the Sunshine and the Purple Rain, Raving In2 the Joy Fantastic and siring a Powerfully Fantastic Purple Parade fit for a…

THE WAU WAU SISTERS
Saturday, June 7 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $20
"Like 'The Vagina Monologues' on acid!" - News Weekly
The Wau Wau Sisters, the only two-girl circus in the world, return to The Zipper.  Having recently traveled the world, they are more than ready to teach the audience their own meaning of the term "foreign relations!"  Spreading the love that knows No Boundaries while challenging the state of reverence and preciousness of the Cirque du Soleil aesthetic, the Wau Wau Sisters carve out a new niche for circus events – right in front of you - so close you can see the sinew of their muscles, the sweat on their skin . . . and the tear in their fishnets! A sly mix of jaw dropping physical prowess and guileless mayhem, the show starts at a break-neck pace and gets wilder from there!  If you like your girls strong and your cocktails stronger, pull up a (car) seat, order a drink and behold as the Wau Wau Sisters, New York's bravest and bawdiest burlesque darlings, share more than you bargained for as they prove that love and liquor can unite nations and bring peace and love - if not forever, at least for one night!

 
MUSÉE DES FEMMES: Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque
Presented by The Desert Sin Dance Company
Tuesday, June 10 / Tuesday, July 8 / Tuesday, August 12
All shows at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $20
The Desert Sin Dance Company returns to The Zipper with their acclaimed production of Musée des Femmes - Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque.  An erotic and edgy fusion of dance and theater, Musée des Femmes (Museum of Women) is a sideshow-stylized psychological spectacle that retells the tales of some of the boldest and most intriguing women throughout time – both fictional and historical.  The story line lends and emotional and human twist on fantastic characters such as legendary film starlet Mata Hari, the Hindu Goddess Kali, The Three Fates and Joan of Arc.  Musée des Femmes had its World Premiere at Hollywood's historic Ivar Theater in 2004, where it was revived the following year.  Desert Sin's founder, Djahari Clark, has reworked the Los Angeles hit into a grittier one-act version for The Zipper, and is proud to bring The Mystery Bird Puppet Show to New York as part of the production.

LADY, LADY, LADY: Mid-Summer Madness
Starring Yana Chupenko, Angela DiCarlo & Lizzy Yoder
With John Gregorio / Directed by Kate Valentine
Wednesday, June 11 (with Special Guests Justin Bond and Our Lady J)
Wednesday, July 9 (Guests TBA)
Wednesday, August 6 (Guests TBA)
All shows at 9 p.m. / Doors at 8 p.m.
Tickets:  $25
The Ladies return to The Zipper having debuted their first show, All For You last November.  Hearkening back to a time when a show was a show and a broad was a broad, LADY, LADY, LADY: Mid-Summer Madness is a high-octane homage to the female-fronted music-variety television specials of the 1960s. Three unique lady vocalists - Soviet refugee and punk metal goddess Yana Chupenko (PMS, Wench, Shiny Mama), Angela Di Carlo ("The Ang Show," Chaos & Candy) and Lizzy Yoder (Fischerspooner, "Losers Weepers") - are the Valkyries at the center of the storm, presenting a combination of original songs and old favorites, with comic transitions, glamorous costume changes and electrifying man dancers. Featuring comedian/singer John Gregorio (The Nuclear Family) and directed by Kate Valentine (The Va Va Voom Room).  With other special guests all summer long, LADY, LADY, LADY: Mid-Summer Madness is an evening of explosive visual and vocal entertainment that will leave audiences shivering with delight all summer long.

NOVICE THEORY
Thursday, June 12 at 10 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Geo Wyeth aka Novice Theory is a multi-instrument musician and composer driven with the vision of possibilities.  "The music and performance is gaudy, ballsy and emotional with a vengeance and a slight wink. Think Gerry Lee Lewis and Rufus infused with Jazz arrangements" (Obsession Collection). He recently made his first headlining appearance, selling out Joe's Pub, after a breakout performance as part of Weimar New York in January.

ROBERT GERMAN
Saturday, June 14 at 10:30 p.m.
Tickets: $15
Born in Oklahoma and raised in the heartland, Robert German was classically trained in voice from the age of twelve, singing in chamber choirs and opera productions while studying music. Robert taught himself guitar and began writing songs at the age of nineteen. He moved to New York in 1999 and became inspired by a turbulent relationship to write a song entitled "Marlboro Man."  German, whose music has been featured on the websites of both National Public Radio and The Village Voice, received national attention in the spring of 2006 when "Marlboro Man" was distributed nationally with the DVD release of the Academy Award winning film, Brokeback Mountain.  Later that year, he released his debut album "Sirens of Brooklyn," with all twelve songs written, produced and performed solely by Robert.   His extraordinary voice – used to create horns, stringed instruments, drums and other various sounds - has drawn comparisons to Ani DiFranco, Tori Amos, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday. His songs "Open Wide," "Marlboro Man" and "Fishnet Sailor" have all held the number one position on Sirius Satellite Radio's Out Q, channel 106. The music video for his song "Open Wide" recently climbed to the number one spot on Logo's click list.

CREATION NATION
Tuesday, June 17 & Tuesday, June 24 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $20
This "top-notch, unflinching, talk show juggernaut" (Time Out New York) returns to The Zipper after its last show – with special guest Cynthia Nixon – made national news!  Creation Nation is a unique comedy event - a variety show with comedy sketches, stand-up, original musical numbers, filmed segments and a live interview with a special celebrity guest.  Hosts Billy Willing and Robin Lord (as played by creators Billy Eichner and Robin Taylor, respectively) recently made their West Coast debut with four sold out Creation Nation shows in L.A., and also performed in Miami as part of Comedy Central's South Beach Comedy Festival in January '08 (appearing alongside Kathy Griffin, Louis Ck, Susie Essman and others).  Billy also recently wrote and starred in Bravo's first-ever scripted webseries "My Life on the Z List: Jen's Vlog" and currently can be seen in What Happens in Vegas, opposite Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher.

THE INTER ARTS VARIETY SHOW
Monthly Shows This Summer!
Tuesday, June 17
Tuesday, July 22 (artists TBA)
Tuesday, August 12 (artists TBA)
All shows at 10 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Shelly Watson, a producer/performer hailed as "Rambunctious, over the top and of considerable charm" by The New York Times premieres a new monthly cross cultural, multi media, all art encompassing variety show featuring artists of every ilk who collaboratively present new and unexpected artistic experiences. Video installations, fabric inspirations, string quartets, sound specialists, fire breathers, opera singers, hula hoop slingers, magicians, musicians, burlesque and ballet dancers, film makers, composers, contortionists, actors, sculptors and painters are just a few of the skill sets joining forces for the series. Unlike any other venue, the audience will have the chance to engage in a Q & A segment with each artist as well. Line Up For June 17:  Ecdysiast legend Jo Weldon; Headmistress of The NY School of Burlesque mesmerizes you with her molten moves, Maria Kaneko Millar; virtuostic violinist, vocalist and dancer presents a piece for violin and fabric, the astonishingly talented Adam Matta plays jazz, hip hop, funk, as well as drum-n-bass, without any instruments but a microphone and multi-faceted actor/film maker Jeff Crispi shows his award winning film "Consumed".  The evening's festivities are all weaved together by the incomparable songstress and general ringleader Shelly Watson, a Julliard trained opera singer, comedienne, producer, director and emcee who has appeared on every platform of the stage from The Metropolitan Opera House to the television screens of MTV.

OUR LADY J
The Gospel of Our Lady J: A Summer Revival
With The Pink Champagne Orchestra and The Train To Kill Gospel Choir
Wednesday, June 18 (Special Guest: Justin Bond)
Wednesday, July 23 (Special Guest: Novice Theory)
Wednesday, August 27 (Special Guest: Lady Rizo)
All shows at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $25
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Our Lady J, once again backed by The Pink Champagne Orchestra and The Train To Kill Gospel Choir, returns to The Zipper Factory this summer for a series of monthly concerts that bring gospel music into the 21st century.  Our Lady J (aka Jonnah Speidel) was seen earlier this year performing with and accompanying Justin Bond in Lustre, which she music directed, at PS 122.  She will also be performing with Bond early this summer in a new show at the Queer Up North Festival in Manchester, England. In June, Our Lady J will premiere a new commission when she joins the New York City Gay Men's Chorus in concert at F.I.T.'s Haft Auditorium.  Our Lady J has been performing regularly at The Zipper since last July, and she recently released her first EP, "Our Lady J: Live From The Zipper Factory" (recorded in October, '07), which includes Our Lady J favorites "Picture of a Man" and "Pink Prada Purse." She also recently recorded with Jake Shears and Scissor Sisters.  Before her solo act invaded New York's underground music scene, she music directed and performed with some of NYC's most colorful talents in hot spots including Alice Tulley Hall, Birdland, The Box, Carnegie Hall, Caroline's on Broadway, CBGB's, Feinstein's at the Regency, Joe's Pub, The Kitchen, Radio City Music Hall and The Town Hall.

STORY PIRATES - After Dark
Saturday, June 21 at 10:30 p.m.
Tickets:  $15
"Crazy entertaining" – The Daily Show's Jon Stewart
Everything the Story Pirates perform is based on a story written by a New York City elementary school student - from the shame of chronic bedwetting to the tender love between the devil and some guy she met at Starbucks. With music, puppets, and a David Bowie-style tribute to a good Hebrew School education, the Story Pirates have blown the minds of 100,000 second graders. You're next.

CULTURE BANDIT SOUL II:
A Powerful Night of Word, Soul and Hip-Hop to Strings
Sunday, June 22 at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 in advance/$20 at the door
Indie Soulstress Maya Azucena and Actress/Spoken Word Artist Vanessa Hidary (aka The Hebrew Mamita) fuse their arts in a special encore presentation of last year's highly celebrated CULTURE BANDIT SOUL.  Hosted by Kashi Johnson, CULTURE BANDIT SOUL II features excerpts from Hidary's critically acclaimed solo show Culture Bandit, along with new and familiar poems (as seen on HBO's "Def Poetry Jam") that are interlaced with songs from Azucena's critically acclaimed CD, "Junkyard Jewel," backed by a beautiful quartet of strings, guitar and percussion.  The night will be a journey into cultural observations, relationships and life fused with humor and Hip-Hop, leaving you with the desire to celebrate your own life's journey.

SOULED OUT
An Intimate, Interactive Evening of Tarot Tales and
Psychic Glimpses
Created and Performed by Pattie Canova
Presented by Traci Klainer and Lauren Helpern
Wednesday, June 25 at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $20
For over twenty-five years, Pattie Canova has been a psychological intuitive, metaphysician, counselor, teacher, lecturer, author, and psychic reader. Her background in theater and writing, along with her deep spirituality, has made her a dynamic, compassionate, and energetic speaker and performer who inspires through humor and candor. Join her on a journey of self-discovery through myth, magic, mystery and mayhem.

DON'T QUIT YOUR NIGHT JOB
Thursday, June 26 at 11:30 p.m.
Tickets: $20
"A funny free-for-all!" – Time Out New York
The acclaimed comedy variety show featuring a revolving cast of Broadway's brightest performing without a net returns for its wildly popular monthly performance at The Zipper.  This late night happening of improv, music, sketches and stories was created by its stars: Steve Rosen (The Farnsworth Invention, Spamalot), David Rossmer (Fiddler on the Roof, Titanic), Sarah Saltzberg (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) and music director Dan Lipton (The Coast of Utopia).  Special guests for each show TBA.  Proceeds go to benefit Wendy Wasserstein's Open Doors Initiative (TDF).

 HAPPY SUNSHINE KUNG FU FLOWER
With Lynn Andrews, Brooke Ishibashi, Matthew-Lee Erlbach, Stephen Reyes and stephen sheffer
Written by Matthew-Lee Erlbach
Directed by Darren Katz
Music Arranger/Supervisor: Ian Aster Wehrle
Contributing Writer/Creative Consultant: Heath Calvert
Production Manager: Kelli Jo Claxton
Special Guests: TBA (past guest have included Amy Goodman, Rachel Maddow, Mo Rocca and Michael Musto, among others)
Saturday, June 28 at 10:30 pm
Tickets: $20
"Shocking, engaging, funny, and totally original." -  Rachel Maddow, MSNBC/Air America Radio
Happy Sunshine Kung Fu Flower is a multimedia sociopolitical satire that follows a group of outsourced Japanese Ninjas hired by China, as they infiltrate the American Psyche for the coming takeover by taking on roles in the Media, Pop Culture, and Politics.

DOTHORY BISHOP: VIVA LA DIVA!
Sunday, June 29 at 3 p.m.
Tickets: $20
"Dramatic. Comic. Enchanting!  Dorothy Bishop is a contender to be reckoned with." - Backstage
New York City soprano Dorothy Bishop's internationally acclaimed show, Viva la Diva! melds everything from grand opera to urban dance as Dorothy shows off her three-octave vocal pipes, outrageous sense of humor, and old-school glamour. The musical mix includes the greatest hits of iconic divas Maria Callas, Sarah Brightman, Donna Summer and Shirley Bassey, plus Broadway showstoppers and classic arias reinterpreted for the 21st century.

MARITRI FEATURING THE SOULFOLK EXPERIENCE
Off-Broadway Debut!
Sunday, June 29 @ 7pm
Tickets: $15
Few singers talk about stories of love, life, and loss the way Maritri can. Her poignant, bittersweet lyrics, tells "grown folks stories" in a poignant way that will break you down to the core.   A pianist, guitarist and cellist, she is one of the few artists who effortlessly moves from one form to another.  She has opened for Gladys Knight, The Five Blind Boys of Alabama, Stanley Jordan, Toshi Reagon and the Indigo Girls with her band Hue; sung backup for Barbra Streisand, and appeared on BET on Jazz as a musician and host.  She has shared the stage with numerous other notables including Me'shell N'degeo'cello, vernon reid, ani di franco and nona hendryx.  In late 2007, Maritri helped form a musical collective of seasoned songwriters, composers and musicians called the SoulFolk Experience. The repertoire of the group spans jazz, classical, folk, rock n' roll, blues, country and any number of combinations of those genres.

BASH'd!
The Gay Rap Opera
2008 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding NY Theater
Created by and starring Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow
Music by Aaron Macri
Directed by Ron Jenkins
Presented by Stephen Kocis, Carl D. White, Paul Boskind and Michael Filerman
Begins Thursday, June 12
Mondays at 8 p.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 & 10 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Tickets: $25 - $55
BASH'd! chronicles the tale of Jack and Dillon; two star-crossed lovers who must cope with the reality of hatred when one is brutally beaten. It is told entirely through rap, spoken word and poetry, turning the often-homophobic musical genre on its ear. Even though the topic is serious, the musical is high energy, irreverent, and provocative.
BASH'd! is the winner of a 2008 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding NY Theater.  It was named Outstanding Musical of the 2007 NY International Fringe Festival, and was Patron's Pick Award winner and Now Magazine's 'Pick of The Fringe' at the 2007 Toronto Fringe Festival.  It also received the 2007 Sterling Award for Outstanding Independent Production.  Variety declared BASH'd! is "potent and artistically satisfying!". Toronto Star heralded BASH'd as "brilliant! A show you don't dare miss!" Backstage acclaimed BASH'd! as one of the top "Performances to Remember" in NYC for 2007 and Gay City News honored BASH'd! with an "Aggie Award" for Best Live Performance of 2007 (10 awards were given out, other recipients included Mary J. Blige and Usher!).

For ticket to all events call OvationTix at 212-352-3101 or buy online at www.thezipperfactory.com. Box office opens one hour prior to curtain for all events.

Located on the site of a restored zipper factory in the heart of the garment district, The Zipper Factory houses a theater, a performance studio, a restaurant, three bars and two lounges, making it one of the city's most unique entertainment and dining complexes.

The Zipper Factory Theater presents an eclectic lineup of theatrical events, music, cabaret, comedy and burlesque.  Since opening in 2001, the theater has become known as one of the city's preeminent entertainment destinations and a desired venue for the city's most gifted artists, both renowned and up-and-coming.  Artists that have performed at The Zipper include Margaret Cho, Bebe Neuwirth, Alan Cumming, Sarah Silverman, Henry Rollins, Megan Mullally and Supreme Music Program, Joy Behar, Barry Humphries, Rosie O'Donnell, Lypsinka, Murray Hill, Lewis Black, Bob Balaban, John Cameron Mitchell, Scissor Sisters, Antony and the Johnsons, Jay Brannan, Our Lady J, Old Spring Pike, The Last Town Chorus, Scott Matthew, Marshall Crenshaw, BETTY, GrooveLily, Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Sherie Rene Scott, Euan Morton, Tom Wopat and Michael Cerveris, among others.

The Zipper Factory Tavern is directly accessible to/from the theater space.  The tavern presents an eclectic, seasonal menu, and the kitchen is run by Executive Chef Larry Kolar (Bolivar, Sign of the Dove, Camino Sur).  To view the menu, visit www.thezipperfactory.com.  The Zipper Factory Tavern is open Monday through Friday from 12 Noon – close and Saturday from 5 pm – close (closed on Sunday).  For reservations for the Zipper Factory Tavern, call (212) 695-4600.