Once you visit this zoo…
you may just discover that you are the animal in a cage!
On Halloween Weekend, join members for a truly unique and intimate theatrical experience….Transport yourself to Central Park, NYC where you’ll hear the distant sounds of saxophone, and partake of Halloween-inspired New York bites and adult beverages in a walk around setting, until you are seated, and transported into a captivating narrative. The Zoo Story, as bitingly funny as it is shocking, is a one-act play by Edward Albee, widely considered the foremost American playwright of his generation. The production features Broadway alums Matt Shingledecker, Wicked (Fiyero), West Side Story (Tony), and Bill English (Anything Goes, Twentieth Century). Performance is limited to 13 guests.
Can’t attend but want to support the production and the artists?
Make a donation in support of this cause in increments of $50! 10% of all donations will go to The Actor’s Fund, and the rest goes directly to the actors, who have lost employment and all performance opportunities during the pandemic.
MENU
DRINKS
Citrus & Peppercorn Gin & Tonic
Black Manhattan
Featured Wine
FOOD
“Gone Nuts!” – NYC’s Iconic street nuts
Peanuts, Honey, Sage, Cayenne
Upper West Side Salmon
Sous-Vide Citrus Salmon, Whipped Herb Cream Cheese, Cucumber Relish, Everything Bagel Toast
Blackened Dogs To Order!
Activated Charcoal Brioche Buns, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog
Toppings of Choice:
Curried Persimmon Salsa
Smoked Red Pepper Aioli
Syrah-Caramelized Onions
“Munster” Cheese Sauce
Ketchup/Mustard
AFTER HOURS
Parakeet Ice Cream Cones:
Pistachio Ice Cream, White Chocolate, Corn Cookie Crumbles
Coffee & Adult Beverages
Peter, a publishing executive, is reading on his favorite bench in New York City’s Central Park. Suddenly he is approached by a stranger named Jerry, who makes his entrance with the announcement “I’ve been to the zoo…” Do you want to know what happened at the zoo? Then join us, won’t you? Once you visit this zoo, you may just discover that you are the animal in a cage…
The event will be held at a private residence, and guests will be seated in a spacious backyard, with ample room for physical distancing. We ask that all guests respect the personal space of others and maintain distance during this time! ESB will be following strict guidelines to ensure the safety of all guests and staff.
Profits from these performances and the benefit concert go directly to the artists, creating our version of an “Artist Relief Fund” to support these incredible individuals, who like our colleagues in food and beverage, have lost all employment and performance opportunities during the pandemic.
Matt Shingledecker is delighted to be working with Epicurean SB again after last year’s developmental reading of Private Lives. Prior to the pandemic, he was touring North America as Enjolras in the Musical Phenomenon Les Miserables, and he recently mounted his first concert: Matt Shingledecker and Friends “From Charleston to Broadway and Back Again” in his hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. Broadway credits include Wicked (Fiyero), West Side Story (Tony – Featured in Arthur Laurent’s Memoir “The Rest of the Story: A Life Completed), and Spring Awakening. Off-Broadway credits include Rent (Roger – Original Revival Cast) and Amy Baer and Keith Robinson’s Standby (Jonathan). Other touring credits include Wicked and Spring Awakening. London: Homemade Fusion. Immersive: Dani Girl, Michael Arden’s Adaptation of La Ronde, The Golden Lotus, and For Madmen Only. TV/Film: Blue Bloods, Regis & Kelly (Regis’s Farewell Episode), Seaside, Future 38, Sweet Parents, Grind, Eugenia & John, and Barflies. Other Credits include numerous developmental projects in NYC and LA as well as a number of regional productions. BFA Elon University. Twitter/Instagram: @m_shingledecker
Bill English’s Broadway credits include Anything Goes, Twentieth Century. His Off Broadway/Regional credits include Into the Woods (Flint Rep), The Music Man (Arizona Theatre Co.), Streamers (Roundabout), The Full Monty, A Christmas Carol (NSMT), The Shaggs (NYMF), The Times (Sonnet Rep), Dracula (Triad Stage), The Man Who Came to Dinner (ACC). He was made several television appearances in series including Madam Secretary, The Good Wife, Elementary, Person of Interest, Family Guy, Outnumbered, Cavemen, Melrose Place. Bill received his BFA from University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and is a proud member of Actors Equity and SAG/Aftra.
