Zipper Theatre Closes

By Roy Edroso Wed., Jan. 14 2009 at 3:39 PM

Categories: Featured, I Loved New York, Transitions

The Zipper Factory theatre is a lovely, slightly old-fashioned little facility, affordable to and used by all kinds of performers from burlesque queens to emerging dramatists to high-powered acts like Margaret Cho and Ute Lemper. It's also connected to a bar and a restaurant, where theatre types often hang out and feel a little less marooned than usual. So, of course, the Zipper is closing. And not soon, but immediately. So is the bar. New York fucking sucks.

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In some ways it makes no sense with the economy being what it is, the rent prices on small black box theatres is still over the top. Many of the small 99 seat theatres go for between 27500 to 5000 a week. With AEA rules on an AEA showcase, there is no way the small theatre company can make it's money back. Worse still, if we do something cutting edge we're in for it, because the audience dwindles but the rent remains the same. Theatre Row was once a place to perform, but now with the gentrificaiton of the area, those theatres (with there hidden costs are no longer afordable, to those of us who do not have rich sugar daddy or mommy). It is a shame that the mayor does not declare 2 or 3 areas as OOBR areas, and make them have affordable rent. BUT THIS WILL ONLY WORK if the politics are removed from it. Too long the New York State Arts Council, has come with an agenda and an elitism when looking at OOBR. OOBR should be given back to the people young and old who want to explore, and sometimes do horrible things, rather than to fit into the plastic mode that the Arts Council has come to represent. This politically correct attitude and this agenda-- resulting in a slow death by self flagilation. The arts are important and it is from the non-elitist dregs that often true creativity springs. New life springs from the rot and debris of the past -- ashes if you will. Too often the powers that be from the major reviewers to the New York Arts Council are afraid of getting their gloves scuffed, or dirt on their J.Chou shoes. The Zipper will be missed. We need for our elected officials to help. Perhaps they do not understand the amount of income even a small company can bring to an area. I run an unimportant little OOBR company, and I know that we have been responsible for bringing tons of money into the area -- indeed, I suspect we are responsible for keeping at least one business afloat -- that in 20 employees. Beyond "art" we bring income to areas. Le Wilhelm Managing Director, Love Creek Productions
SAD SAD SAD... This is really a travesty. The Zipper was one of the best venues in the city! I feel so bad for the wonderful people that worked so hard to make it such an amazing venue! What happened?
WHY IS IT CLOSING????
This is a sad loss to the NYC theatre world. My (as well as many others I am sure) thoughts go out to those closely linked to this company!
This is a sad loss to the NYC theatre world. My (as well as many others I am sure) thoughts go out to those closely linked to this company!
If I know Manhattan, it will be replaced either with a TGI Friday's or a Rite Aid. City of diversity and all that.