Bash'd! to Play Zipper Factory Beginning June 12

By Andrew Gans
April 15, 2008

Bash'd! — the "gay rap opera" that played an award-winning run at the Toronto Fringe Festival before being part of the 11th annual New York International Fringe Festival in August 2007 — will make its Off-Broadway premiere June 12 at the Zipper Factory Theater.

Directed by Ron Jenkins, the production will officially open June 23. Producers are Stephen Kocis, Carl D. White, Paul Boskind and Michael Filerman.

Bash'd was penned by Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow — who star, respectively, as T-BAG and FEMINEM — with music by Aaron Macri.

The production, according to press notes, "chronicles the tale of Jack and Dillon; two star-crossed lovers who must cope with the reality of hatred when one is brutally beaten. It is told entirely through rap, spoken word and poetry, turning the often-homophobic musical genre on its ear. Even though the topic is serious, the musical is high energy, irreverent, and provocative."

Bash'd! is the winner of a 2008 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding NY Theater. It was also named Outstanding Musical of the 2007 NY International Fringe Festival.

Show times are Mondays at 8 PM, Thursdays at 8 PM, Fridays at 7:30 and 10 PM and Saturdays at 8 PM.

Tickets, priced $25-$55, are available by calling (212) 352-3101 or by visiting www.thezipperfactory.com. The Zipper Factory Theater is located in Manhattan at 336 West 37th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues.