Opera House Unplugged presents: An Evening With David Cook

Admission: $40

VIP Package:

– $75 (doesn’t include show ticket)
– Two song acoustic performance
– Group Q&A (each guest can come prepared with one question)
– Group photo (will be sent to each purchaser no later than one week post show)
– 20% off of merch purchases during VIP session
*Takes place one hour before doors
*Check-in time will be provided prior to the show date

Doors open @ 7PM
Concert @ 8PM

David Cook (and yes, the same David Cook who launched into stardom following his American Idol
Season Seven win – breaking several Billboard chart records when 14 of his songs debuted on the Hot
Digital Songs chart and 11 of his songs debuted on the Hot 100) certainly knows his way around a good
song. His first album, Analog Heart, came out pre-Idol, and his last album, Digital Vein, nicely book-
ended that chapter of Cook’s career, a chapter during which he sold more than 2 million albums
(including his platinum-certified eponymous album) and, collectively, more than 5 million tracks
(including two platinum-certified singles) worldwide.

David continues to find success, not only for himself, but also as a writer for other artists and touring
throughout the world. 2018 brought an exciting new EP from Cook – Chromance . “I was a ‘rock’ guy, but
the further away I’ve gotten from that, the more I’ve opened up and found inspiration in the
peripherals. I wouldn’t have had the courage earlier in my career, but now I have the confidence to go
after the sound I want.” A fan of both Massive Attack and Nine Inch Nails, Cook always admired how
they pushed the envelope and brought pop elements into rock music. “I used them as a bedrock
for Chromance and how I wanted the record to feel.”

If putting out his 2018 EP wasn’t enough to keep Cook busy, that same year he headed to the Great
White Way for his Broadway debut as Charlie Price in KINKY BOOTS. ” I’ve had conversations about
finding creative outlets outside of being a musician, but the timing was never right.” While Cook was
excited about his first starring role, he was also aware the message behind KINKY BOOTS was timely and
relevant. “I was honored to be part of the show and get to work with so many amazing people. I love the
collaborative aspect of theatre too, the idea of being part of a creative team and working it out in front
of an audience each night.”

Another passion of Cook’s is his work in behalf of organizations such as the National Brain Tumor
Society, a Washington DC-based nonprofit that drives cutting-edge research and treatments for brain
cancer and brain tumors. “I’ve been very involved with this cause and am very grateful that my career
has allowed me to do that. I lost my brother Adam to a brain tumor in 2009; every year I am part of
the Race for Hope-DC and, together with my fans, have raised over $1.5 million for brain cancer and
brain tumor research through this and other fundraising projects. Far and away, that is the proudest of
all my achievements.”

Cook is well aware, and grateful, for the breaks American Idol has brought his way, and for the
opportunities he continues to have. He has no plans to slow it down. “I love creative endeavors. I like
starting with nothing and then finishing with something that didn’t exist before. That’s my favorite thing
about creating new music. I love being able to put something artistic out in the world for people to
enjoy.”

In 2020, David released two new singles. The first, Reds Turn Blue, is a nod to the manic highs (reds) and
lows (blues) of anxiety, something David has struggled to overcome since his season seven win on
American Idol. As David told People.com: “This song became a therapeutic process for me, as a way to
personify my anxiety and make it something other than me — which, in an odd way, has helped me
navigate my relationship with it.” To capture that struggle, David worked with artist Justin A. Nixon to
create a visual that was, “sci-fi and sinister” but left open-ended to represent “that constant battle
between anxiety and myself.” And the second, Strange World, is “my homage to this year,” said David.
“Staring out of windows at the world outside, feeling disconnected from it, and trying to find those
moments that would normally exist outside, inside.” Both singles, along with the driving Fire are from
his EP The Looking Glass, released in April 2021.

In April 2022, David released his latest single, “TABOS” (This’ll All Be Over Soon). The single’s release
coincided with his return to the American Idol® stage to perform for their special 20th -anniversary
reunion show.

Host or Publisher The Cultural Center at the Opera House