Hippie Kid at The Marsh - Berkeley

Zappo's solo performance covers a spectrum of his extraordinary life experiences. From growing up as a kid in a hippie commune to his work with children in schools, hospitals, and orphanages, he peels into the rich fruits of joy and pain. The show ebbs and flows through joys and hilarity of his unique childhood, the unanswered questions relating to abandonment by his father and the profound grief he continues to navigate since his mothers passing many years ago. Zappo goes into comical antics of growing up around rock & roll festivals and his collection of short stories and quotes from the many kids with whom he has worked.

Through hysterical comedy, storytelling and original songs, Zappo reflects on his path to healing through loving-kindness and service toward young people in crisis. Forgiveness and reconciliation are a recurring theme as he makes efforts to reconnect with his dad and leaning into his paternal Jewish ancestry. Exploring how lifes challenges call us into the healing of mind, body, emotion, and spirit, Zappo stumbles through the gauntlet of recovering health and his once joyful life after 12 years of ongoing negotiation with Lymes disease. Like life itself, this performance leads to deep meaning as it moves along a roller coaster of hilarious, heart-opening storytelling.