Teatro ZinZanni

Wow.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

All dressed up in my one "maternity" dressy outfit (I say this because the only maternity article on my body was the pantyhose), Kevin drove us all up to Seattle on Friday evening for our "birthday dinner" several months late and worth the wait. Later, Mom said that she was hesitantly excited because she simply didn't know what to expect. But after the show, we all agreed: we couldn't wait to see it again.

The outside of the building is unassuming. Lots of posters but nothing fancy. Then we stepped inside the lobby and into the world of Teatro ZinZanni. The lobby/bar was a melody of velvets, satins, and silks. Tassels and fringe. Feathers, sequins, and sparkles. Lush and beautiful. While we waited to be seated Mom and I browsed the feather boas and little confections calling themselves hats. I was THIS CLOSE to buying a tiara. Kevin sipped his whiskey.

The dinner/theater tent is a rebuilt 1930s Belgian tent with wooden floors, stained glass above the booths, a stage at one end, and a performance stage in the center that goes up and down depending on the desired height. We had the very best seats. Our table was right next to the circular performance stage and our view was unbeatable. A single gentleman also sat at our table (his name I've shamefully forgotten). Turns out he was good friends with the magician in the show. He'd traveled from Detroit multiple times to see the show in it's various forms (the show changes every three months) in both Seattle and San Fransisco. "They'll probably pay lots of attention to our table because they know me, I hope this is OK." Kevin, as you can imagine, thought this was simply grand. He also enjoyed the fine sparkling wine our tablemate purchased and kindly shared with us.

The five course dinner was spread over about three hours. In between all the performers interact very closely with the diners (about 230 total). Kevin got to be part of the show as a snake handler, ending in his being carried fireman-style out the door and returned to our table with his head swathed in a bandage. He was very funny and had a blast. We had some wonderful slight-of-hand magic at our table, the most impressive when the magician took my own glasses, set them on the table, and made them dance around.

There were comedians, clowns, a contortionist, the magician, an opera singer, a blues singer (Madame ZinZanni), a gymnast with a handstand routine, a trapeze doubles act, a "pole tango" where the couple hauled themselves up and down a pole as easily as I would walk down the street. Everybody was outstanding. It was constantly entertaining and totally impressive. Worth every penny....THANKS MOM! We had the very best time.

I had one small problem. Pregnancy and large meals don't necessarily mix. My stomach is getting smooshed smaller and smaller every day. Hormones also slow down digestion. By the beginning of the third course (salad), I was totally stuffed. I had two bites of my entree and three bites of the glorious apricot tart for dessert. And these bites were semi-painful. My family enjoyed the extra food, however. It helped with all the booze they enjoyed throughout the evening. Kevin and I wrestled Mom to the metaphorical ground so we could pay for the drinks. Therefore, they shared a lovely Malbec and both had some yummy cocktails before and after dinner.

The stuffed pregnant lady drove home.