The Chop Shop Theater

Open ‘Tho Shut Finale 4.17.21

-Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
– COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama and Kana Matsui)
– Kenya Wilson in an excerpt from a play by Alicia Foxworth
– Songs by Justin Rodriguez and Natasha Velez
– Phoebe Legere and Crystal Field sing “Being Who You Are”

Streaming Host, Roy Chang
Sound and Lightning Director, Alex Bartenieff
Sound Engineer and Assistant Technical Director, Brian Park
Sound Assistant, Roy Chang
Audience and Actors Liaison, Bill Bradford and Richard Weber
Set Design, Mark Marcante
Set Painter, Lytza Colon
Press, Jonathan Slaff

Open ‘Tho Shut 4.10.21

-Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
– COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama and Kana Matsui)
– Playwright Barbara Kahn in short plays from her own body of work
– Composer/pianist Peter Dizozza
– Comedian Lei Zhou

Open ‘Tho Shut 4.3.21

-Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
–COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama, and Kana Matsui)
–Vocalist AMY COLEMAN (twice awarded Best Vocalist of the Year by Backstage)
–Performance Artists ROME NEAL (Artistic Director of Nuyorican Poets Cafe)
–Playwright/performance artist BINA SHARIF (Pakistani American playwright, actress, director, performer, and visual artist)

Open ‘Tho Shut 3.27.21

Schedule of 3.27.21
-Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
–COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama, and Kana Matsui)
–David Mandelbaum (comic standup by the Artistic Director of New Yiddish Rep)
–Pablo Raul Trio (Latin Rock & Flamenco)

Open ‘Tho Shut 3.20.21

Schedule of 3.20.21
-Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
–COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama, and Kana Matsui)
–Alessandra Belloni (vocals & southern Italian percussion)
–Art Lillard’s On-Time Band (traditional swing and jazz)

Open ‘Tho Shut 3.13.21

Schedule of 3.13.21
-Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
–COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama, and Kana Matsui)
-Ronit Asheri-Sandler (chanteuse) songs in Hebrew, Yiddish, and English
-Bina Sharif (playwright/monologist)
-Mark Marcante (songs)

Open ‘Tho Shut 3.6.21

Schedule of 3.6.21 Performance
-Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
-COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama and Kana Matsui)
–Turntable of East Village pop singers/musicians curated by Rob Varkony:JimiCrakCorn (classic rock), PinkLips (post-punk), EveryTing (rip-roaring guitar), Dirty Circuit (art punk/rock),Will Will (solo folk/funk), Star ’69 (vintage jam, inspired by Grateful Dead).

Open ‘Tho Shut 2.27.21

Schedule of 2.27.21 Performances
-Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
-COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama and Kana Matsui)
–Shmully Blesofsky (“Shmullz”), Yiddish Comic
–Justin Rodriguez and Natasha Velez in an excerpt from “The Little Priest”
–Pablo Raul (Mister Pablo) bilingual Latin rock songs

Open ‘Tho Shut 2.20.21

Schedule of 2.20.21 Performances
Mistress of Ceremonies, Crystal Field
– COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama and Kana Matsui)
– Thunderbird American Indian Dancers’ Louis Mofsie and Rob Mastroanni in “Flute Music Old and New”
– Yip Harburg Rainbow Troupe (songs by the lyricist of “The Wizard of Oz” and “Finian’s Rainbow,” among others)
–Alessandra Belloni (Tarantella songs, dances and percussion)

Open ‘Tho Shut 2.13.21

Schedule of 2.13.21 Performances
Mistress of Ceremonies, Crystal Field
– COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama and Kana Matsui)
– Phoebe Legere (vocalist & songwriter)
– Susan Mitchell (violinist)
– Natasha Velez and Justin Rodriguez in “Earth Cry” (Grito de Terra), a song from TNC’s Summer Street Theater, “LIBERTY or JUST US, A City Parks Story”
– Phoebe Legere and Crystal Field sing “Thank You For Being Who You Are”
– Mary Tierney and Mary Ellen Ashley perform “My Dinner with Mary” by Coni Koeffinger

Open ‘Tho Shut 2.6.21

Schedule of 2.6.21 Performances
Mistress of Ceremonies, Crystal Field
– COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama and Kana Matsui)
– Amy Coleman (twice awarded Best Vocalist of the Year by Backstage), accompanied by Peter Dizozza
– Natasha Velez and Justin Rodriguez
– “My Dinner with Mary” with Mary Tierney and Mary Ellen Ashley

Open ‘Tho Shut 1.30.21

Schedule of 1.30.21 Performances
Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
– COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama and Kana Matsui).
– Peter Dizozza (Pianist/Composer)
– British Music Hall songs with Mark Marcante (“Sweeney Todd” and “The Spaniard that Blighted by Life”), Emily Pezzella (“Don’t Dilly Dally on the Way”) and Dan Kelley (“Two Lovely Black Eyes” and “Where Did You Get That Hat?”). Accompanied by Peter Dizozza and Arthur Abrams. *Song sheets will be distributed to all onlookers so they can participate in sing-alongs.
– Harry Mann (Jazz Pianist)

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream 1.23.21

Schedule of 1.23.21 Performances
Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
2:08 – 2:18: COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama, and Kana Matsui)
2:20 – 2:30: Zero Boy (entertainer and vocal acrobat)
2:32 – 2:42: Khemali Murray (excerpt from her online comedy show, “Covid-19 Chronicles”)
2:44 – 2:54: Arthur Abrams (Yiddish songs and Gershwin songs)

Assistant Director, Erika Staniule
Streaming Host, Eric Alexie Cruz
Sound and Lightning Director, Alex Bartenieff
Sound Engineer and Assistant Technical Director, Brian Park
Sound Assistant, Roy Chang
Audience and Actors Liaison, Bill Bradford and Richard Weber
Set Design, Mark Marcante
Set Painter, Lytza Colon
Press, Jonathan Slaff
Press Assistant, Abby Semelsberger

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream 1.16.21

Schedule of 1.16.21 Performances
Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
2:08 – 2:18: COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama, and Kana Matsui)
2:20 – 2:30: Justine J. Hall, Performance Artist, with George Perry
2:32 – 2:42: Mr. Pablo (guitarist/vocalist and bandleader of Maquina Mono) singing in Spanish and English
2:44 – 2:54: The Legendary Amaz’n Grace

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream 1.9.21

Schedule of 1.9.21 Performances
Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
COBU (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe of Yako Miyamoto, Ayaha Otsuka, Mayu Yamashita, Micro Fukuyama, and Kana Matsui)
Cheryl Gadsden (three songs)
British Music Hall sing-along with Mark Marcante (performer) and Arthur Abrams (pianist, poetry)
Robert Homeyer performing several monologues by William Shakespeare
Gender-bending variety performance by Terry Lee King

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream 1.2.21

Schedule of 1.2.21 Performances
Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
Cobu (all-female Japanese Taiko drimming and dance troupe)
Stan Baker “The Human TV”
Eve Packer (Performance Artist)
T. Scott Lilly and Sarah Lilly (Children’s Entertainers)
Jenne Vath
Crystal Field in new poem, “Little Baby New Year”

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream 12.26.20

Schedule of 12.26.20 Performances
Mistress of Ceremonies: Crystal Field
2:08 – 2:18: Cobu (all-female Japanese Taiko drimming and dance troupe)
2:20 – 2:30: Michael David Gordon (Acc Peter Dizozza)
2:32 – 2:42: Gregory Nissen
2:44 – 2:54: Peter Dizzoza

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream 12.19.20

The December 19 show will entirely be a participatory audience sing-along of well-known Christmas Carols. Singing will be led by members of TNC’s Street Theater Company and accompanied by pianist Peter Dizozza. The show is intended to recreate the family fun of the annual Tompkins Square Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, which is canceled this year due to Covid-19. Sheet music will be distributed free to all participants, and Veselka will be handing out Hot Cider. Even though the sing-along will be outside, masks will be required and social distancing will be observed with standing placements marked in chalk on the sidewalk.

As an additional treat, Crystal Field, Artistic Director of TNC, will perform “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Singers will include Daniel Wilkes Kelly, Natasha Velez, Justin Rodriguez, Emily Pezzella, Crystal Field, Ben Harburg, Elizabeth Ruf, and Alison Patrick. Song selections will include “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “O Hanukkah,” “White Christmas,” Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and more. Kids Welcome to sing-a-long!

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream 12.12.20

Emcee Zero Boy
Schedule of Performances 12.12.20

2:07-2:17 Cobu (all-female Japanese Taiko drumming and dance troupe)
2:19-2:29 The One By Toby Armour performed by John David West
2:31-2:41 Valery Oisteanu (poet)
2:43-2:53 Jennifer Blowdryer
2:55-3:05 Two Xmas Carols (Sneak Peak to the next week’s Xmas Caroling) sung by TNC’s Emily Pezzella, Dan Kelley, Crystal Field, Ben Harburg, Justin Rodriguez, Natasha Velez, Matt Angel acc by Peter Dizozza

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream 12.5.20

Emcee Jenne Vath
Performance Schedule
2:00-2:10: COBU (Japanese all-women taiko drumming and dance troupe)
2:12-2:22: Matt Angel and Robert Varcony
2:24-2:44: John Grimaldi
2:46-2:56: Jonathan Fox Powers and Paige Cutrona sing real Opera
2:58-3:08: I’am! Back Mama performed by Justine J Hall
3:10-3:20: Justin Rodriguez and Natasha Velez sing Earth Cry (Grito de Terra) a song from TNC’s Summer Street Theater LIBERTY Or JUST US

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream Performance from 11.28.20

Emcee Zero Boy
Performance Schedule
2:00-2:10: COBU (Japanese all-women taiko drumming and dance troupe)
2:12-2:22: Carol Tandava (belly dancer)
2:24-2:34: Mark Marcante and Friends sing British Music Hall with Crystal Field, Emily Pezzella, Dan Kelley, with Audience Participation (Acc Arthur Abrams)
2:36-2:46: Yip Harburg Rainbow Troupe (David Brunetti, Musical Director)

TNC Would like to give Special Credit to:
Assistant Director, Erika Staniule
Streaming Host, Eric Alexie Cruz
Sound and Lightning Director, Alex Bartenieff
Sound Engineer and Assistant Technical Director, Brian Park
Sound Assistant, Roy Chang
Audience and Actors Liaison, Bill Bradford and Richard Weber
Set Design, Mark Marcante
Set Painter, Lytza Colon
Press, Jonathan Slaff
Press Assistant, Abby Semelsberger

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream Performance from 11.21.20

Emcee Zero Boy
Performance Schedule
2:00-2:10: Cobu (Japanese all-women taiko drumming and dance troupe)
2:12-2:22: The Head Peddlers: Elizabeth Ruf and Karl Bateman (songs)
2:24-2:34: Everett Quinton, “Ode to ANTIFA!!”
2:36-2:46: Louisa Bradshaw (cabaret singer, accompanied by David Lewis)
2:48-2:52: David Lewis (songs by Kurt Weill)
2:54-3:04: Joe Bendik (Rock musician)
3:06-3:16: The Legendary Amaz’n Grace (songs performed by Terry Lee King, including selections from TNC’s 2020 Street Theater, “Liberty or Just Us: a City Park Story”)

Open ‘Tho Shut Live Stream Performance from 11.14.20

Emcee David Slone Esq
Performance Schedule
2:00-2:10 Cobu
2:12-2:22 Vinie Burrows
2:24-2:34 Richard West (acc Jiggers Turner)
2:36-2:46 Jenne Vath
2:48-2:58 Mark Marcante and Friends This Train with Mark, Justin, Crystal, Ben and Emily
3:00-3:10 Penny Arcade
3:12-3:22 Zero Boy
3:24-3:34 Peter Dizzoza