The Zipper Factory Announces Sudden Closing

The Zipper Factory, a popular venue for theater, music, comedy and variety shows, has closed, “effective immediately,” according to an announcement issued on January 14 by owner Lee Z. Davis. Both the theater and adjoining Zipper Tavern formerly the Belt Theater on West 37th Street will cease operation.

The Zipper Theater opened in October 2001 with Charles L. Mee’s True Love directed by Daniel Fish and starring Dallas Roberts and Jayne Houdyshell. The theater was home to such shows as Margaret Cho’s The Sensuous Woman fall 2007, Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris spring 2006–spring 2007; Here Lies Jenny with Bebe Neuwirth summer–fall 2004, Sarah Silverman’s Jesus Is Magic spring 2003, Betty Rules fall 2002-spring 2003 and Alan Cumming’s adaptation of Jean Genet’s Elle summer 2002. The final legit offering was the musical Bash’d, which opened last June.

For the past year, the theater had presented a variety of theatrical, musical, comedy and burlesque offerings from such artists as Justin Bond, Our Lady J, Martha Plimpton and Lucy Wainwright Roche, GrooveLily, Joy Behar, Murray Hill and Megan Mullally.

David Conrad Brouillard and Bill Coyle served as the theater’s Artistic Producer and Producing Associate, respectively.