By Kevin Zimmerman
Thirty years after she bopped onto the music scene, Cyndi Lauper comes home for a special performance at Queens College’s Colden Auditorium Oct. 20.
And because girls just want to have fun, the former Ozone Park resident plans to perform her entire debut album, “She’s So Unusual,” in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the record’s release.
“Cyndi Lauper is an international music icon and Kupferberg Presents is thrilled that she is bringing her tour to Kupferberg Center for the Arts,” said Leon Denmark, artistic director of Kupferberg Presents. “But to the Queens community this is extra special because she is truly one of us, and we look forward to welcoming her home.”
Born in Astoria and raised in Brooklyn and later Ozone Park, Lauper released “She’s So Unusual” in October 1983. It made Lauper a major recording star. She sold more than 16 million copies of the album and was the first female artist to have five Top 10 singles on a debut record. In February 1985, Lauper took home a Grammy for Best New Artist.
“We are delighted to be hosting her first appearance in Queens,” said Jeffrey Rosenstock, Kupferberg Center for the Arts’ executive director.
Besides the early-’80s anthem “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” Lauper’s debut album also includes “Time After Time,” “She Bop,” “Money Changes Everything” and “All Through the Night.”
Audience members will also be treated to intimate, never-before-heard stories about the recording of the album, said Denmark.
“We have been trying to book Cyndi for a year and a half,” said Denmark. “When we first asked, she was preparing for her Broadway show. With the help of Jeff’s friend, who works for Cyndi, and Phil Citron, our program consultant, we were able to make a deal.”
The tour, which kicked off in San Diego in June, also includes performances of songs from Lauper’s latest incarnation as the Tony-winning composer of “Kinky Boots.” Based on the 2005 movie of the same name, the musical opened on Broadway this past April and was nominated for 13 Tony Awards. It ended up with six awards, including Best Musical.
Lauper earned one for writing the show’s music and lyrics, which was the first time a woman working alone had claimed that honor.
The “She’s So Unusual 30th Anniversary Tour” hits the Colden Auditorium of the Kupferberg Performing Arts Center Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.
Tickets went on sale this week and range in price from $35 up to $125. They can be purchased online at kupferbergpresents.org or at the theater’s box office on the Queens College campus in Flushing.
