Teatro ZinZanni to Continue Cirque-Theatre Legacy in Seattle

There's nothing quite like it in the United States. Teatro ZinZanni is part circus, part theatre cabaret, and part delicious multi-course feast wrapped into a whirlwind evening of entertainment underneath a beautiful, authentic spiegeltent. So, it's no wonder that Teatro ZinZanni has become a must-see experience synonymous with Seattle arts and entertainment.

Over the years, Seattleites have seen phenomenal talent up and close and personal under the magical tent. Ann Wilson of Heart, Francine Reed a long-time singing partner of Lyle Lovett, Tommy Tune's direction of a show starring Liliane Montevecchi, and a luminous list of international talents from the world's of cirque, music, and dance have all performed within these red velvet walls. In its most recent concoction, Hacienda Holiday, ZinZanni has upped the ante, bringingtwo all-new acts to the tent to supplement the already star studded cast in its revelry. Plucking only the mightiest of talent from around the world, ZinZanni audiences were introduced to both Duo Rose and Gamal David Garcia in this production. Duo Rose is a Chicago-based trapeze act known internationally as the first American circus artists to perform in Havana, Cuba since 1959. Their act combines romance with aerial contortion and highly technical skills that leave audiences beguiled by their mid-air beauty. Garcia is a third generation Venezuelan circus performer who can leave you cross-eyed and happily dazed by his ability to juggle.

While the high-flying acts astound, Teatro ZinZanni can attribute much of each show's success to its unique style of audience participation, drawn out of each individual by highly skilled emcees, or as ZinZanni calls them, the Chefs! "I was attracted by the uniqueness of the form, the intimacy and the breaking of the fourth wall between the performers and the audience," Teatro ZinZanni creator and artistic director Norman Langill commented. "Most actors try to pierce that fourth wall. We just assume from the get-go that there is no fourth wall." What Langill is referencing is ZinZanni unique way of plucking members of the audience to actually become a part of the show - some one different and unsuspecting, every night.

In Hacienda Holiday award-winning actor, singer, writer, director, and voiceover artist Christine Deaver tackles the chef role alongside physical and improvisational humorist Kevin Kent - known widely as a comedic drag extraordinaire. "You have to be able to sustain a strong character, hold the energy and attention of the tent, be clever, witty and quick on your feet," Deaver commented. "Every night is difference because you never know who your 'co-star' will be - that's what makes it so exciting!" Together these two co-hosted in the tent on numerous occasion coming back again and again due to popular demand. According to TalkinBroadway.com, "Kent and Deaver have been frequently paired at ZinZanni before but never more successfully. Their broad comic styles and unflagging energy are perfectly aligned."

Joining these two in Hacienda Holiday is actor, comic, musician, and songwriter Robert Lopez (known best as El Vez); former Pacific Northwest Ballet prima ballerina Ariana Lallone; and the show-stopping husband and wife duo Vertical Tango. Teatro ZinZanni shows run year round, and the current production and cast of Hacienda Holiday play through January 31, 2015 in Seattle's famous Teatro ZinZanni spiegeltent. Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office by calling (206) 802-0015.

A physical and improvisational humorist, Kevin Kent was a cast member of the original Teatro ZinZanni show in Seattle in 1998 and the subsequent debut show in San Francisco in 2000. To continue his streak of ZinZanni firsts, in 2012 he was part of the first Teatro ZinZanni touring production in Southern California for a three month run of Love, Chaos, and Dinner, giving a performance the San Diego Union Tribune called "brilliant and hilarious". A "ferociously funny improv artist" (The Seattle Times), Kent was last seen at the tent in On The Air (2013), and brings his own character Clifton Caswell back to the tent after a five-year reprieve.

Last seen in the tent as Gracie Hanson in the 2012 production Return to Paradise, the hystericalChristine Deaver returns to play Vivian Beaumount, one of the many characters she has crafted over the years. An award-winning actor, singer, writer, director, and voiceover artist, Deaver has worked extensively in theatre, film, and television in Los Angeles and abroad. She is the recipient of numerous Garland, Ovation, and L.A. Weekly awards for her work in the theatre and she has written and performed several one-woman shows including Ah, Families, Leave it to Deaver, and Bodacious across North America, Asia, and Europe.

Actor, comic, musician, and songwriter Robert Lopez is most renown for his over 25-year career performing as El Vez, the Mexican Elvis. Having performed all over the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan, he has made appearances on Oprah, "The Tonight Show," and has even been a question on Jeopardy. With over 10 years of performance in the magical spiegltent under his belt, Lopez was last seen at ZinZanni in the 2012 production, Caliente!.

Photo by Alan Alabastro