**** Highly Recommended My friend Helen and I had a blast at Love, Chaos and Dinner, the new summer production at Teatro ZinZanni. Take the best of cabaret, burlesque and cirque, with artists from around the world, add about 50 pounds of sequins, shake it all up, add dinner and drinks served ringside, and that’s Teatro ZinZanni, where guests are invited to wear their own sequins and feathers! If you love the circus – or a good cabaret – this is the show for you! 4 BIG Spotlights
You’ll be greeted the minute you enter the lobby of the Cambria Hotel and treated like a special guest. Up on the 14th floor, the Teatro ZinZanni lobby has a full-service bar with fixtures dripping with crystal. As you wander the lobby sipping your drink, you’ll find lots of spots for photo ops – and sparkles.
Once you enter Spiegeltent ZaZou – a unique jewel box mirrored tent – and get seated at your assigned table, the wait staff will take your order for drinks (extra) and dinner. While you enjoy your drinks, you’ll enjoy some silly antics from the cast.
Doily (Kevin Kent) is a trip! We met her as she was wandering around the lobby carrying a tray with a couple of martinis – which didn’t move even when she tilted the tray! She continued wandering around inside the Spiegeltent, interacting with all the guests. Her over-the-top headpiece looked like a silver ice cream sundae with a signature lock over her forehead.
Doily’s silly patter, jokes and ad libs, or as she called it, ‘flirting’ with people in the audience, kept everyone laughing – and provided segues into the circus acts. In one of her funniest bits, she pulled two bald guys out of the audience, had them touch heads, and turned them into extra-large cleavage.
The show’s star, LiV Warfield, is amazing. Her powerful voice resonates! Every song was a show-stopper! Returning from the 2022 summer show, Cunio describes himself as the spawn of Freddie Mercury and Janis Joplin. Their duets are outstanding. Both are beautiful people who can wear a stunning costume with flair!
The circus performers:
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Hula Hoop Artist – Vita Radionova roamed the stage area warning the audience to fasten their seat belts, showing where the emergency exits were, and demonstrating a life vest. When she took off the uniform, she started spinning hula hoops. At one point, there were at least ten hoops spinning which looked like neon moving around her body. Awesome!
- Aerialist and Capoeira Artist – Raphael Nepomuceno wore a fireman’s uniform early in the show, but when he was introduced, he started stripping! When the uniform was gone, he took to the air in an awesome display of power.
- Contortionist – Elayne Kramer wore a glittery purple body suit as she twisted her body into impossible positions. She showed incredible strength while using one arm - or her mouth - to support her entire body on various apparatus!
- Acrobatic Dancing Duo – As they danced, Mickael Bajazet lifted – and flung - his partner Vlada Romanova through the air. Their routine almost felt like watching the ice skating pairs lifts and throws! Spectacular.
Teatro ZinZanni’s live band includes: Musical Director Theodis Rodgers, Jr. (piano/organ); José Martinez (percussion, drums); Jon Negus (woodwinds, keyboards); Phil Seed (guitar) and Doug Bistrow (bass).
The four-course dinner was absolutely delish, starting with a fresh Herb Corn Cake and Dolly’s Garden Salad – Arugula, Cucumber, Pickled Red Onion, Watermelon & Feta Cheese with Lime and Mint Vinaigrette – which was on the table when we arrived. For dinner, Helen and I both chose the Salmon Filet – House-made Sourdough Baguette, Roasted Tri-color Cherry Tomatoes & Baby Squash with Sherry & Balsamic Vinegar – which was delicious. The other menu options were Roasted Airline Chicken, Seared Pork Chop or Green Coconut Curry. The yummy dessert, Bananas in the Limelight – Lime Mousse with Cinnamon-Banana Cream, Cajeta, Toasted Meringue and Rice Crunch – was melt in your mouth good! The wait staff was fast-moving and efficient as they distributed plates of delicious, hot food – and they all danced as the meals were introduced!
There are menu enhancements like Cajun Shrimp ($18), Mushroom & Goat Cheese Flatbread ($16), Crispy Cauliflower ($15), Cheeseboard ($20), Charcuterie Board ($22) or Parmesan Truffle Fries ($15) available, but we didn’t try them. You can also substitute Prime Sirloin Steak ($35) or Surf & Turf ($50) for your main course, or Temptation Flan ($14) for dessert.
Teatro ZinZanni is in the Spiegeltent ZaZou, located on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel Chicago, 32 W. Randolph, Chicago. Discounted pre-paid parking is available at Theater District Self Park, 181 North Dearborn. Validation stickers are also available for those who don't wish to pre-pay.
Teatro ZinZanni recommends dressing to the nines! I recommend sparkles, lots of sparkles!
Running time is just about 3 hours, including breaks for food service. Doors open one hour before show time. Dinner performances are Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:00 pm, Sundays at 6:00, with matinee/brunch performances on select Thursdays & Saturdays at 12:00 pm. Many people remained at the tables enjoying dessert after the finale.
Individual tickets range from $99-$169. Group rates are also available. A 20% gratuity will be added to any beverage or food service purchased while in attendance. FYI (312) 488-0900 or www.zinzanni.com/Chicago.