By Scott Schaefer

It’s an amazing (make that‘Amazonian if you like your local Yodeling Dominatrix’ tall) night of ‘Love, Chaos and Dinner‘ in an authentic spiegeltent at Teatro Zinzanni, and it makes for a perfect Valentines Day gift!

[NOTE: If you’re a Tardy Cupid, it’s not too late to buy tickets online and gift them to your Valentine – read our review below, complete with a heart-saving link for a gift that is far superior to the usual:]

As you’re settling in to an evening inside the historic red velvet spiegeltent, notice what’s going on around you. Sure…servers are serving and taking orders, but why is a bumbling dishwasher stumbling by your table?

That very tall woman – why is she yodeling over there? Wait…is that a robot woman?

And what’s with the janitor lady walking by, wielding a toilet brush?

And who the heck is that creepy looking dude in the tux and tails who seems to be following them all?

Wait, they’re not part of the wait staff…are they?

No, what you’re initially seeing is some of that night’s performers slowly sneaking into the scene. Look at them and try to figure out what their special talents are – will that janitor lady reveal something else? (yes!) Will the bumbling dishwasher show off some hidden talents? (for sure!)

And why are they all running from that creepy pale dude who probably has fangs?

This slow reveal process – all while you’re enjoying a drink and the first plate of an imaginative European style four-course meal – is really fun and makes Teatro Zinzanni much more than just dinner and a show – it’s an immersive experience.

And sometimes, these oddball staffers will even interact with you. You might also be selected to join the performers onstage and truly become part of the show.

It’s all part of the magic of “Love, Chaos and Dinner,” the charming new cabaret dinner show running now through April 29 at Teatro Zinzanni’s current location in the midst of Marymoor park. Worth the drive and so much more, this delightful comedy concoction mixes equal parts Ratatouille, Hotel Budapest and Fawlty Towers, stirs with a romantic twist or two and serves up sheer comedy bliss all in a luxurious and cozy ambiance of red velvet and sparkle.

From the moment you step through the doors into the 100-year-old spiegeltent (“mirror tent” in Dutch) you will be transported into another world where performers break free from the confines of the stage and the action unfolds all around you. No two performances are alike as the wall between artist and audience disappears.

The story evolves around the staff of a “new” fine dining establishment seeking a positive review from an ever-so-stringent and exacting “critic.” As you might guess, just when they need everything perfect, all manner of mishaps erupt, producing entertainment, amazement, chaos and lots of laughs. The delicious winter menu began with a piquant and colorful salad, followed by a creamy and rich braised corona bean bisque soup, choice of perfectly cooked salmon or sultry short ribs in cabernet demi-glace or root vegetable and quinoa Tangine, as a vegetarian option. The grand finale is a decadent warm chocolate cake “Madame Zinzanni” with cherry compote and dulce de leche caramel sauce. Hmmmm the memory lingers on…

SHOW DATES:

• Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 7 p.m.
• Sunday evenings at 6 p.m.
  

TICKETS
Pricing starts at $99 (per person) and varies depending on seating section, day of week, and capacity already sold for the performance.

Your ticket price includes the 3-hour show experience and accompanying 4-course meal. On the night of the show, you will be responsible for an $8 per person base meal gratuity for the service of the meal as well as any food upgrades and/or drinks you decide to purchase.

And for all you tardy cupids, you can make your reservations online at any time, 24 hours a day:

BUY TICKETS HERE

LOCATION:

Teatro ZinZanni
at King County’s Marymoor Park
6046 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE,
Redmond, WA 98052

Email: [email protected]

Administrative Offices: (206) 802-0011

Hey…did I mention the incredibly tall Oktoberfest-looking woman? She looks familiar, and sounds even more familiar when she yodels!

Yes, that’s your incredibly talented Normandy Park neighbor Manuela Horn! And just wait until she reveals her dark, commanding personality a bit later.

Here’s a taste of what you might see Manuela doing during any given performance:

Here’s Manuela’s bio:

Manuela Horn, also known as the Austrian Amazon, is a yodeling, dancing, acting comedic force of nature. After small roles in independent movies and her own German children’s TV show, she turned her 6′ 2″ height into an asset as a host for corporate events and galas across the globe. Imported from Berlin’s Pomp Duck & Circumstance in 2001, Teatro ZinZanni has given her the performing home she always wanted. This is her 16th year with ZinZanni. In 2009, one of her characters, the yodeling dominatrix, made it to the semifinals of the TV show America’s Got Talent. With an appearance in the movie Rent, Manuela earned her SAG membership. Manuela regularly performs in numerous cities in Europe with other dinner cirque company’s like Palazzo, Da Capo and Teatro. Since 2010, Manuela has become “The Queen of Oktoberfest” by performing Yodel versions of popular songs.  With the motto “It’s always Oktoberfest Somewhere” Manuela headlines the biggest Oktoberfest’s across America.

More info on Manuela here:

• https://www.manuelahorn.com
• www.oktoberfestqueen.com
• https://www.theyodelingdominatrix.com

B-TOWN BONUS
Mention that you’d like to meet Manuela Horn (via The B-Town Blog) to the maître d’ upon checking in, then hang around afterwards to meet her for photos and fun!