Zipper Theatre Becomes Factory; Sarich, Scott, Etc. Perform

The Zipper Theatre, one of New York's best-known entertainment destinations, is re-opening as The Zipper Factory. Located at 336 W. 37th St, The Zipper Factory has added a new tavern and balcony bar to the complex, with food by renowned Chef Larry Kolar, as well as an eclectic line-up of theatrical events, concerts, burlesque and cabaret.

According to press notes, upcoming acts at The Zipper Factory Include:

The Wau Wau Sisters: Returning to NYC in Turning Tricks From the Streets. Saturdays: April 28, May 19, June 9, July 21 at 10:00 p.m. Tickets: $25.00

"After a year of touring and residencies from London to Los Angeles, Peoria to P-Town, and most recently down under in New Zealand, The Wau-Wau Sisters, NYC's bravest and bawdiest burlesque duo, return with a new full-length show featuring the tricks they've turned on the streets of the entire world! Double entendres mix with irreverent circus routines and guilty pop culture pleasures as these saucy sisters fly through their trapeze routines with all the adrenaline and abandon of a rock concert.  They also deconstruct the humor and paradigms of country music while playing matching guitars (and barely sitting on one another's shoulders), all the while re-defining sisterhood for a whole new generation."
 
Brian Charles Rooney: NYC solo debut in Turn Me On . . . Turn Me Up. Monday, April 30 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $22.00 ($17 Student Rush tickets available at the door for those with valid Student IDs, as well as for members of AEA).

"Brian Charles Rooney, who made a striking Broadway debut last season as the fabled 'Lucy Brown' in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of The Threepenny Opera, performs his first New York solo show.   A truly unique vocal stylist with a four octave range, Rooney transports the audience to different locations and atmospheres – including a salon caught between Victorian England and the Weimar Republic to a Glam Rock Discotheque of 1980s-esque proportions - while performing the adrenaline-infused work of a diverse list of greats, from Kurt Weill and Mozart to The Doors, Madonna, Jefferson Airplane, Heart and Queen.   Rooney will also perform original material co-written by Paul Leschen, composer and arranger for the acclaimed band Scissor Sisters."

Drew Sarich: In Concert. Monday, May 7 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $15.00

"Actor/Songwriter Drew Sarich (Les Misérables, Lestat, Jacques Brel . . .) presents stories of pride, betrayal, redemption, and fear that come to a head-on collision with raucous guitars and sinewy, theatrical melodies.  This ain't nice music! This is Rock and Roll!   Drew will be joined by Ann Mandrella, Steve Gilewski, Brad Carbone, Roderick Hill and Eric Svecar."

Todd Almond: with Special Guests Laura Benanti and Steven Pasquale. Sunday, May 13 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $15.00

"Acclaimed composer/performer Todd Almond, is joined by Broadway's Laura Benanti and Steven Pasquale for an evening of Almond's original music. Almond is known for his poignant song-writing (People Like Us, WTC View) and his adventurous re-interpretations (Theater Mitu/NYU's Hair, Juilliard's The Odyssey, and Theater Mitu's Ahraihsak, hailed as 'An audacious triumph' by Variety.  A Nebraska native and the son of a railroad man, Almond is inspired by simple things. Like love. And God. And chandelier-shopping. And fire. And trains.  (And, for some reason, Mexico.)"

Sherie Rene Scott . . . a work in progress. Monday, May 14 at 9:00 p.m, Tuesday, May 15 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $25.00 in advance /$35.00 at the door

"Before Sherie Rene Scott becomes Ursula the Sea Witch in The Little Mermaid, come see her as herself: Sherie Rene Scott . . . a work in progress, as told to Dick Scanlan with music direction by Tom Kitt."

Va Va Voom Room: Sunday, May 20 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $20.00

"The infamous Va Va Voom Room, the acclaimed den of iniquity for vaudeville and burlesque, returns for one night only in its first full length show in two years.   Featuring a cavalcade of stars including World Famous *BOB*, Dirty Martini, Bambi, Bradford Scobie and many more!  With your emcee, Miss Astrid.  Accompanied by Brooks 'Babyface' Hartell and his Band. This performance is a benefit to support the first-ever Burlesque Hall of Fame and Museum in Las Vegas.  Help keep the memory of past burlesque starlets alive and fan the flames for tassel twirlers of the future!"

Dolly or Bust: A 'Special Benefit' for ASTEP (Artists Striving To End Poverty). Monday, May 21 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $30.00

"Performers from Broadway, the downtown scene and the recording industry will sing, hoot and holla' in this one night only tribute to the lady who taught us all how to be 'a little bit country': Miss Dolly Parton. The line-up will be announced shortly. All Proceeds from this evening will benefit ASTEP, whose programs take place in communities with populations of impoverished children who have limited access to arts education.   ASTEP creates safe spaces in which artists interact with children."
 
Justin Bond, with the Lost References: (They Long to Be) Close to You. Wednesday, May 30 at 9:00 p.m. Tickets: $25.00

"Join Justin Bond (Broadway's Kiki and Herb and John Cameron Mitchell's Shortbus) as he rocks out The Zipper with The Lost References.   This collaboration, inaugurated during Justin Bond's Talk/Show, became so powerful that we knew it had to be visited again . . . and again.  With Lance Horne on piano and vocals, Randy Redd on keys and vocals, Teal Wicks on vocals and tambourine, Michael Croiter on drums and guitar and Mike Jackson on bass and guitar."
 
Lance Horne & The One Night Stands. Monday, June 4 at 9:00 p.m. Tickets: $15.00

"Lance Horne & The One Night Stands, having played from the West Coast to the Far East, return to NYC with new tunes . . . With Lance singing and on the keys, Chris Jago on drums, Malcolm Gold on bass, Randy Redd on keys and vocals."

Sheri Sanders. Monday, June 11 at 8:00 p.m. Tickets: $20.00

"Sheri Sanders (Urinetown national tour, The Screams of Kitty Genovese, BETTY Rules), under the direction of DJ Salisbury and Music Direction of Todd Almond, presents an evening of rock songs and original tunes by Mr. Almond, in addition to the classical musical theatre repertoire."
 
For tickets, call Ovation tickets at 212-352-3101 or visit www.zippertheater.com. Tickets are also available at the Zipper Factory Tavern Box Office, which opens one hour prior to curtain for all events. For reservations for the Zipper Factory Tavern, call (212) 695-4600.