Unzipped Concert Series

The first Unzipped Concert Series is a two-week concert series that features leading performers in programs that present new ways to explore and celebrate the multiple talents of the New York theater community. Ranging from Broadway stars performing original work to Grammy Award winning musicians performing in The Zipper’s unique setting, the new series highlights an array of entertainers in new, eventful programs.

Schedule

Friday, June 17 & Saturday, June 18 – 8 PM
JOHN EPPERSON*: SHOW TRASH
* The artist principally known as Lypsinka
Tickets: $30

Hailed by The Washington Post as “…Delicious. Accomplished. Impressive,” multi award-winning John Epperson, whose alter ego Lypsinka has been a popular performer in New York City and throughout the country, returns to The Zipper with John Epperson: Show Trash. The show is described by Backstage as “A funny, often touching autobiographical revue of his life.” Washington D.C.’s City Paper further comments, the show is “Warm and wistful here, acerbically funny there, and peppered with guilty-pleasure anecdotes involving the famous (and semi-famous)…Has a kind of built-in poignancy…Epperson has finally emerged from the shadow of his own larger-than-life creation to show us his own singular features.”

John Epperson: Show Trash: Directed by Barry Kleinbort; Special lyrics by Tom Orr, Barry Kleinbort and John Epperson; Video design by Erik Trester.

Saturday, June 18 – 11 PM
HIP-HOP THEATER FESTIVAL
Closing Night Party with world renowned DJ Spinna
Tickets: $10

In five short years, the New York City based Hip-Hop Theater Festival has grown into one of the most influential outlets showcasing hip-hop performing arts in the country, producing festivals in four major U.S. cities in 2005. DJ Spinna is regarded as one of the most versatile and talented producers/DJs/remixers in today’s musical arena. The closing night party of the Hip-Hop Theater Festival will feature DJ Spinna playing hip-hop, house music, reggae and classics all night long.

Sunday, June 19 – 3 PM
ABOVE THE BELT
Powerful aerial artists from around the world perform one-of-a-kind astonishing dance theater.
Tickets: $15

Since opening at The Belt in November 2004, this monthly series has been a huge hit to New York audiences. The only show of it’s kind, Above The Belt presents aerial artists from around the globe in risky, powerful, mid-air, often amazing dance theater. Performing on a trapeze, using fabric, and rope, the show will feature aerialists in new works, signature pieces, works-in-progress, traditional circus presentations and experimental aerial dance.

Sunday, June 19 – 7:30 PM
TOM WOPAT
Tickets: $45

Currently starring in David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway, Tom Wopat, star of stage, screen and music, will contribute his many talents to the inaugural year of the UNZIPPED CONCERT SERIES. Known for his star turns in the seven season run of television’s The Dukes of Hazzard, as well as Broadway productions of Annie Get Your Gun, the revival of 42nd Street, Cy Coleman’s City of Angels and Guys and Dolls, Wopat will perform songs from his recent CD “Tom Wopat Sings Harold Arlen: Dissertation on the State of Bliss” and much more.

Monday, June 20 – 7 PM
Tony nominated star from Broadway’s hit musical Movin’ Out
MICHAEL CAVANAUGH
Tickets: $40

Known for his current turn as the lead vocalist in the Twyla Tharp/Billy Joel Tony Award winning Broadway show Movin’ Out, Michael Cavanaugh will perform a combination of original and well-known songs, backed by a band drawn from some of Broadway’s best musicians.

Tuesday, June 21 – 8 PM
Everett Bradley’s Summer SOULstice
Tickets: $25

The Grammy nominated singer/songwriter and multi-talented Everett Bradley, known for being the co-writer, co-arranger and star of the hit Tony nominated Broadway musical Swing, as well as his many vocal and instrumental music credits with David Bowie, Daryl Hall, Quincy Jones, Jon Bon Jovi, Cyndi Lauper, Bobby McFerrin, and Richie Sambora, will present an evening of his own work in two acts. The first half will include a preview of his own musical-theatrical work entitled Ev/olution with Bradley multi-tracked with a live DJ, and the second half of the program will present many of his own compositions, accompanied by stellar musicians from New York City.

Wednesday, June 22 – 8 PM
JEFF BLUMENKRANTZ SONGBOOK
Tony nominated composer will perform with special guests
Rebecca Luker, Audra McDonald, and Jennifer Simard
Tickets: $35

For the UNZIPPED CONCERT SERIES, Jeff Blumenkrantz will be joined by the stellar vocal talents of Rebecca Luker, known for her Tony nominated roles in Broadway’s Music Man and Show Boat; the multi talented Audra McDonald, known for her Tony Award-winning roles in Broadway’s A Raisin In The Sun, Ragtime, Master Class, and Carousel, and her star turns in Lincoln Center’s Marie Christine and Henry IV; and Jennifer Simard, recognized for her roles in Forbidden Broadway, About A Man and numerous other productions.

Tony nominated for the songs he contributed to Broadway’s Urban Cowboy, Blumenkrantz’s credits also include his song “I Won’t Mind,” recorded by Audra McDonald on both her CD and her PBS concert, and his work as a composer, arranger, orchestrator and/or musical director for such great performers as Megan Mulally, Lillias White, Victoria Clark, Rebecca Luker, Emily Skinner, Michael Winther, Judy Kuhn, Billy Porter, Judy Blazer, Theresa McCarthy, Jane Kelly Williams and The Tonics. Blumenkrantz’s one-act musicals Woman with Pocketbook and Precious Little Jewel have been performed at various theaters throughout the country.

Thursday, June 23 – 8 PM
The Music of JEREMY KUSHNIER & JEREMY SCHONFELD
Tickets: $25

Songwriter and performer Jeremy Kushnier, known for the role he originated in Broadway’s Footloose and his featured role in the national tour of Rent, and Jeremy Schonfeld, former Sh-K-Boom recording artist and creator of the new musical in development, Drift, will share their original songs in separate music sets, backed by great New York musicians.

Friday, June 24 – 8 PM
Grammy Award Winning Artist and Producer DAVID PACK and Friends
(Former front man of rock group Ambrosia)
Tickets: $40

Recognized by his voice and hit songs such as “You’re The Only Woman,” “Biggest Part Of Me,” “How Much I Feel,” and “Holdin’ On To Yesterday,” as well as his songs “All I Need” (sung by Jack Wagner), “Prove Me Wrong” from the platinum soundtrack of the film White Nights, and “Through The Test Of Time” (sung by Patti Austin), David Pack will present his songwriting and producing talents in an evening featuring his best loved songs, new material from his soon to be released Peak/Concord recording, and selections from his Grammy Award-winning Gold record The Songs of West Side Story – Tribute to Leonard Bernstein.

Saturday, June 25 – 11 PM
HIP-HOP THEATER FESTIVAL presents Eisa Davis
Tickets: $20

Eisa Davis, the multi-talented and award-winning playwright, actor and musician, will perform original work for the UNZIPPED CONCERT SERIES. Known for her plays Angela’s Mixtape, Umkovu, Six Minutes, Paper Amor, and Bulrusher, Eisa has been affiliated with renowned theater companies such as the Cleveland Playhouse, Portland Center Stage, Hartford Stage, Cherry Lane Theater, Seattle Rep., Yale University, Soho Rep., and the Women’s Project. As an actor, Eisa’s credits include the role of June in Adrienne Kennedy’s Obie award-winning June and Jean in Concert at the Public Theater. She has performed her original songs in numerous locations throughout the country.

Sunday, June 26 – 7 PM
Of Grammy Award winning group New York Voices PETER ELDRIDGE & LAUREN KINHAN
Tickets: $35

Peter Eldridge and Lauren Kinhan, both members of the Grammy Award-winning vocal group New York Voices, have performed all over the world in significant jazz festivals such as JVC Jazz Festival in New York, and North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland; in some of the most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and The Kennedy Center, and on numerous television specials. Distinct from New York Voices, both Peter and Lauren have produced several solo recordings of their original work. For the UNZIPPED CONCERT SERIES, Peter and Lauren will present individual sets of their original songs.