By Scott & Theresa Schaefer
Photos by Filling the Frame Photography

We love comedy, and believe that humor helps all humans escape to a wonderful world where there is nothing to worry about other than experiencing pure joy that is inspired and infused by laughter.

Now, add some great food. And a wonderful cabaret setting. Surrounded by some of the best singing/acrobatic/comedic talent in the northwest – dare we say the world? It all adds up to…you must be at Teatro ZinZannni’s new location in Seattle’s SoDo district.

Recently, thanks to local comedienne/actor/legendary local yodeler Manuela Horn (holding fistfuls of beers above), we had the privilege of attending the current performance of ZinZanni’s “Coming Home.” It was an easy 20-minute, ~8-mile jaunt up the 509 from Burien and easy to park, thanks to two adjacent lots and ample surrounding street parking.

Manuela plays several roles in this excellent production (through Mar. 12, 2023) which includes a sumptuous 4-course feast (complete with starter, soup, choice of entrée and decadent dessert). The new space is a converted, visually lush and intimate old Seattle warehouse. Guests enjoy the feast surrounded by an ongoing live, comedic show that even includes brief clever song and dance numbers to introduce the courses!

Watching a cabaret + burlesque + aerobatic performance, but with dinner and drinks included, was quite a spectacle. The food was great, the live band amazing, the 10 or so versatile actors (most play numerous roles) incredible, always in the right place at the right time, thanks to expert direction, well-honed rehearsals and experience – and of course pure talent. The result was a fantastic, hilarious Vegas meets aerial hula hoop comedic variety show of “love, chaos and dinner” that will thrill your senses and make you forget all outside worries for a 3 full hours.

And if you happen to be a bald man with a shiny scalp, beware – you might even become part of the show! Dinner guests are often invited to participate, which is all done in good fun and provides even more laughter (other guests may even want your autograph or to take a selfie with you afterwards!).

The current production’s theme of “Coming Home” is quite relevant too, considering what we’ve all been through the last few pandemic-filled years. It’s comforting to return to in-person performances again, and nothing matches this one.

“When the world went dark more than two years ago, people everywhere were dispersing and lives turned upside down,” show producers said. “Today, as we rebuild and focus on our dreams going forward, we find that home is where our hearts reside — and Seattle is our home.”

Once you enter the lush, red-carpeted and curtained, converted old warehouse, you will be transported to a warm room full of servers, actors and more, all with one intention – to give you a full, unique experience of great food, laughter and amazement at what they all can do, together and separately. Actors can be seen strolling around, visiting tables, giving whimsical greetings (and even sitting with you) making jokes, rubbing elbows or commenting on someone’s outfit. Laughs ensue, the mood is elevated and next thing you know, you’re laughing with a bunch of new “besties.”

After several minutes of this ad-lib mingling you’ll be trying to figure out what each actor’s role(s) are (is that mousy woman holding a plumber’s helper really “just” a janitor? Stay tuned…), the lights dim, the smoke machines kick in and suddenly a charismatic chanteuse named “Rizo” enters belting out Elton John’s classic “Take Me to the Pilot” in an amazing tour-de-force power singer performance. While the meaning of the lyrics has been subject to interpretation, the vibe that Rizo gives is a desire for escape and a need for guidance. In between “Wows!” as you nosh on a tasty appetizer or sip a great cocktail/drink, this siren owns the room, singing with emotion, passion and more – is she the love child of Liza Minelli, Stevie Nicks and Freddie Mercury? – hitting and holding notes like you won’t believe. Rizo serenades, seduces and sometimes even taunts the crowd.

Then in comes your emcee – a rather tall, busty? and curvy drag performer named “Doily” with tons of attitude, yet always in total control of the room. Played by Kevin Kent, you will LOL while admiring his/her improv talents, costumes and bawdy sense of humor.

There must be 30 hula hoops spinning around Vita!

Soon, the enchanting, mesmerizing and sensuous Vita Radionova is doing an amazing hula hoop performance that will leave you breathless, followed by French artist Domitil Aillot doing an incredibly athletic Chinese Pole dance that elicits “oohs” and “ahhs” throughout the room, not to mention a little bit of sweat on his brow.

Two meek “Kitchen crew” workers transform into the amazingly athletic Duo Madrona.

Acrobatic married couple (from West Seattle!) – who for a while were dressed like part of the kitchen crew until taking off their white uniforms to reveal not much underneath – “Duo Madrona” performed an amazingly athletic aerial rope routine that was anything but routine. The gasp-worthy pure strength of these two showed through their fit bodies as they twirled and swirled above the crowd. How much do they rehearse to do this kind of stuff?

Manuela Horn gets lifted by audience members as part of the “Austrian Tinder.”

Then comes our good friend Manuela Horn, in her cheeky, sexy “Oktoberfest” costume, doing a hilarious bit about the “Austrian Tinder,” as a single lady with help from (you guessed it) a few male dinner guests who must lift her up and show her off around the room to all the single guys. What a hoot!

We must admit that we were a little intimidated later in the show when Manuela suddenly appeared as the Yodeling Dominatrix in her leather getup and whip. With help from another audience participant – “what a cute little appetizer!” she said of the average-sized fellow who stood in the shadow of her 7-foot tall Austrian fab-u-lous-ness. Who knew yodeling could reach such Heavy Metal heights as the AC/DC inspired “Highway to Yodel” to which we were treated. Always a crowd pleaser!

You will do as Manuela commands, or else…

At times it was like she was simultaneously summoning a pack of mountain goats and serenading a group of German beer enthusiasts. It was truly a sight (and sound) to behold. And to see her riding her good ol’ reliable motorized sheep around the room towed by some audience participant minions was not baa-aad either.

The acrobatics were impressive and sensual, leaving us enchanted and entranced. Luckily the servers were like ninjas, quietly and quickly delivering plates and drinks without disrupting the show. Who knew servers could serve while performing choreography?

Overall, Teatro Zinzanni’s “Coming Home” show in SoDo was a hilarious, jaw-dropping, wow-filled and downright awesome experience that we would highly recommend to anyone looking for a good time and a great dinner. Just be sure to bring a sense of humor and an empty stomach, and dress up if you can!

Oh, and if you’re a bald man with a shiny skull or you like to show off, be sure to buff your head or wear something sexy! Just be sure to have a “safe word” ready in case Manuela chooses you!

Learn more about this great show here:

https://zinzanni.com/seattle/

Upcoming Manuela Horn appearances

Manuela is currently preparing for her 2023 Oktoberfest season, and she’ll be headlining this year in Kirkland for their 10-year anniversary,

First and last weekend at Oktoberfest “IN” Leavenworth (the original one is in Wenatchee, and the city is throwing their own Oktoberfest now)
Oktoberfest NW at the Washington state fair,
Oktoberfest in Mount Angel, Oregon
Oktoberfest at Fort Benning in Georgia.

Until then she will be whipping up two albums, for which she started a GoFundme page and plan on filming two music videos:

https://gofund.me/7e3accde

More Manuela:

https://www.manuelahorn.com

https://www.youtube.com/@ManuelaHorn

About Teatro ZinZanni

Teatro ZinZanni was founded in Seattle in 1998 and has produced more than 100 shows over the past two decades featuring dozens of incredible artists from around the globe. Through all our work, we aim to engage, transform, educate, and delight with our unique celebration of cirque, comedy, and cabaret.

From Seattle to San Francisco and Chicago to Costa Mesa and beyond, we believe we have the best audiences on planet earth and we can’t wait to hear the laughter, see the slow dances, and generally to celebrate together once again.