Tucked away amidst western Washington’s wine country is a tantalizing experience full of eccentric whimsy, slapstick comedy, and ethereal beauty that must be seen to believe. Teatro Zinzanni is Seattle’s own zany dinner theatre that has traveled about the west coast for years, and is currently drawing a crowd near the picturesque Chateau St. Michelle winery in Woodinville.
Walking up to the venue feels surreal as you take in the sparkling lights, the bohemian décor, and the gigantic 100-year old Spiegeltent. The staff delightfully explained the historic circus tent made in Belgium means “Mirror Tent”, which describes the intricate décor of mirrors, stained glass, and rich wooden architecture. Starting from arrival, the whole experience feels fluid and dreamy, nothing is as it appears. Every member of the staff seem to be both servers and performers, walking around with gigantic pepper mills and weaving amongst patrons nonchalantly performing incredible balancing acts.
As we were taken to our seats, our host went into detail the exquisite 4-course menu that is included with every admission, and an optional wine flight pairing. With the venue so close to an abundance of local options, the wine list was endless. I chose for the wine flight pairing, which included a Grenache blend that paired divinely with the tomato bisque course. The food itself is enough reason to visit Teatro Zinzanni, as the pace of the performances encourages you to savor, visit, and delight in your surroundings and the company you are with.
Between bites and sips, you may occasionally notice staff doing something peculiar, like climbing a hidden ladder to a tightrope you couldn’t see before. Suddenly, as you’re relishing one of your courses, the cast will burst out in a new performance to signify the next act. Each performance is entirely different from the next, varying from jazzy cabaret singers, clowns and jugglers, astounding acrobats, and stunning aerial entertainers, and the over the top host, the extravagant Caesar. The setting is so intimate and close that almost everyone gets a chance to interact with the performers personally throughout the show. The entire experience, from the dreamlike arrival to the show stopping finale, is a treat and a pleasure you will never forget. Love, Chaos, and Dinner is performing through June 30th, so see this show while you can!
WHERE:
Teatro ZinZanni
14200 NE 145th St.
Woodinville WA 98072
