Entertainment

'Wishes and Dreams': Teatro ZinZanni serves up another gastro-theatrical delight

Posted February 25, 2022 5:00 am

Barbara Vitello

Duo Rose, comprised of Evanston-based trapeze artists Sylvia Friedman and Samuel Sion, are among the circus and theater artists performing in the current Teatro ZinZanni show “Wishes and Dreams.” Courtesy of Sandy Morris

Teatro ZinZanni's “Wishes and Dreams” - ★ ★ ★ ½

Teatro ZinZanni's signature cabaret/Cirque du Soleil/dinner-theater hybrid made quite an impression when it debuted at Chicago's Cambria Hotel more than 2½ years ago.

The inaugural show, “Love, Chaos & Dinner,” was eight months into its open-end run when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered in-person performances nearly two years ago. In July 2021, when conditions allowed, Teatro ZinZanni was among the first to welcome back theatergoers to its Spiegeltent ZaZou, a luxe, velvet-curtained tent decorated with stained glass, mirror balls and chandeliers.

Now comes its latest gastro-theatrical incarnation, “Wishes and Dreams,” a winning show whose performers have really upped their game. From ensemble members' madcap antics to the circus arts specialty numbers to the high-octane vocals, the performances are terrific. So is the four-course dinner and the eclectic soundtrack, which ranges from jump jazz to 1960s pop to 19th-century opera.

Pianist/conductor Kevin Disch's quartet sets the mood with Fats Waller's “This Joint is Jumpin'” followed by restaurant owner Madame ZinZanni (Bethany Thomas, whose megawatt voice is familiar to Writers and Marriott theater audiences) crooning the 1950s hit, “Come On-A My House.”

We next meet the larger-than-life, ample-bosomed maitre d' Doily (quick-witted drag performer Kevin Kent sporting sky-high heels and a silver coiffure) who awaits the return of her son PhÃ©nix (Cunio, a “Jersey Boys” veteran with rock 'n' roll bona fides), a leather-clad 1980s glam-rocker who arrives riding a motorcycle and singing The Ides of March chart-topper “Vehicle.”

Cue the entertainment, which includes juggler Noel Aguilar; Michael Evolution, whose freestyle basketball juggling nearly stopped the show; contortionist/acrobat Marjorie Nantel, whose silks routine accompanied by Cunio's rendition of “Sail” elicited gasps followed by thunderous applause. Later, Cunio wowed the Saturday-evening crowd performing aerial stunts while belting out the Queen anthem “The Show Must Go On.”

Returning from the earlier revue is Elena Gatilova, the unassuming cleaning lady turned elegant aerial hoop artist, and Duo Rose, the Evanston-based trapeze artists Sylvia Friedman and Samuel Sion whose duet is a breathtaking demonstration of strength and agility.

The responsibility for keeping the show moving falls to Kent whose peppery Doily draws in audience members. Literally. Kent's Doily had no trouble enlisting volunteers to participate in her playful, innuendo-filled patter.

Some of the shtick drags on too long and the premise — never a priority for this vaudeville-inspired show — is paper-thin. That doesn't matter. Teatro ZinZanni's appeal rests with circus thrills (evidenced by the frequently whispered “oh my God”), powerhouse vocals (Thomas and Cunio's soaring “Lakme” duet is the classical garnish on this pop-rock menu) and carefully choreographed mayhem, all of which makes this a spectacle worth seeing.

• • •

Location: Spiegeltent ZaZou, 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel, 32 W. Randolph St., Chicago, (312) 488-0900, zinzanni.com/chicago

Showtimes: 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and noon and 7 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 14

Tickets: $109-$265, limited show-only tickets available for $69

Running time: About 3 hours, with a four-course dinner

Parking: Paid lots nearby

Rating: For adults contains mature subject matter and sexual innuendo

COVID-19 precautions: Proof of vaccination or negative COVID test and masking required

Doily (Kevin Kent, left, seen here with Marjorie Nantel) presides over the comedy, the cabaret and the cirque-inspired acts that make up the Teatro ZinZanni experience. Courtesy of Sandy Morris

Cunio, left, and Marriott, Writers and Northlight veteran Bethany Thomas deliver powerhouse vocals as part of the Teatro ZinZanni cast. Courtesy Sandy Morris

Acrobat and Cirque du Soleil veteran Marjorie Nantel takes her turn in the spotlight during Teatro ZinZanni's show "Wishes and Dreams" currently running at Chicago's Cambria Hotel. Courtesy of Margo Hawk

Ensemble member Michael Evolution puts a unique spin on juggling during Teatro ZinZanni's new dinner-theater show combining comedy, cabaret and cirque-inspired performances. Courtesy of Margo Hawk

Noel Aguilar, an eighth generation performer descended from one of Mexico's finest circus families, entertains Teatro ZinZanni diners. Courtesy of Sandy Morris

Aerialist Sylvia Friedman of Duo Rose performs as part of Teatro ZinZanni's combination dinner-theater, cabaret, comedy and cirque show. Courtesy of Sandy Morris

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