Teatro Zinzanni

Many years ago I remember walking along the San Francisco waterfront and stumbling across a rather odd looking building---actually a large tent---housing a show called "Teatro Zinzanni." I couldn't really tell what it was about, but from the brief description and paintings on the outside walls, I assumed it was some sort of dinner theater, a bit offbeat to be sure. I was definitely curious, and I made a mental note to visit it sometime. As it turned out, I never did make the show while in the Bay Area, but as an incredibly pleasant and unexpected birthday gift, a friend just took me to the Seattle version. (Which, as it turns out, is where the show actually began.) The only way I can describe TZ is incredible!

Teatro Zinzanni is housed in a large, circular "spiegeltent," a huge canvas and wooden structure with mirrors ringing all around. The three hour show consists of a five course dinner interspersed with cabaret, comedy, circus acts and improv audience participation. The theme of the current show ("Quest for a Queendom") is loosely based on the Queen's yearly search for her new consort, along with some bungling attempts to steal the crown jewels. While the plot is humorous in its own right, it is by no means what the event is really about; what makes Teatro special is the small intimate setting, with the cast literally only a few feet from the audience, frequently wandering around the dinner tables. (We actually had inner ring seats, which literally put us in the front row, making the experience even more vivid.) Add to this a few very embarrassed members of the audience who get drafted into the action, and you have the makings of three hours of non-stop smiles and laughs. The show is a little bit racey in spots, though I don't think it would offend anybody except for the most prudish. (If I were to rate it by movie standards, it probably warrants a PG, yet it's not something children would enjoy. It's a mid-twenties and up type of evening.) If you want to compare it to something you may have experienced, think of it as Cirque du Soleil, but on a small interactive basis with a five-star, five course dinner included.

More often than not, dinner shows sacrifice on the "dinner" part of the experience, providing substandard food almost as an afterthought. Teatro Zinzanni doesn't make this mistake. All five courses of the dinner are of spectacular quality, with the first course set out for you before the show begins, and the remaining four courses intertwined with the show itself. I lack the ability to describe culinary experiences adequately, but suffice it to say this was one of the better meals I have had in a long time and leave it at that. (Even the quantity of food was sufficient!) Also, for those who are not sure of wine pairings, they offer a "Wine Flight" of half glasses served with each course. You wind up getting a total of two and a half glasses of various wines over the three hours, just enough to help you enjoy the evening without impairing the drive home.

After nearly five years in Seattle, I would have to rate TZ as one of the best, most memorable experiences I have had since moving here. The dinner, the show, the entire event was as close to perfect as one can ever expect, and I really cannot think of any shortcomings. Highly recommended for the perfect evening!