Great Escape: A Night to Remember at Teatro ZinZanni

Are you celebrating the big 30, 40, 50 or a number higher than that? Is your silver anniversary coming up? Is your baby graduating from the University of Washington? If you have any big moment to celebrate, treat yourself to a night at the circus with a fabulous meal to top it off.

If you are thinking Barnum and Bailey, read on - but this is Teatro ZinZanni. "Part circus, part dinner theatre, Teatro ZinZanni is a big night out unlike any other. A three and a half hour whirlwind of international cirque, comedy and cabaret artists all served up with a five-course feast designed by celebrated Northwest chef Tom Douglas," reads the Teatro ZinZanni website.

Teatro ZinZanni is located across from the Seattle Center in Seattle. It is a smaller building that you might not even notice sans the circus type sign out front. Inside, you will be treated to a show you most likely won't forget. In an antique cabaret tent imported from Belgium, the performance happens all around the audience and is never quite the same from night to night. The website describes it best: "the fast-paced action of the show unfolds above, around and even alongside the audience. It is part vaudeville,  cirque, music, dance, and improv comedy." The current show is called "Radio City Starlight" and plays through May 8. As the performance unfolds,  a delicious five-course gourmet meal is served. If brunch is more your style, a shorter 1 1/2 hr show and four-course meal is offered at the Sweet Sunday Brunch.  

A show for families, Zirkus Fantasmo, has also just been introduced. No meal is served but it is an hour long extravaganza about the power of dreams. Teatro ZinZanni also offers a large variety of clown camps for ages 5 to 16.

Performances are Thursday through Saturday from 6:30 to 10 pm, including occasional Wednesdays. Sunday Brunch takes place from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm and Sunday performances are from 5:30 to 9 pm.

Tickets begin at $76 for the brunch shows to more than $110 for the evening performances. See the website for complete pricing information. The one hour family show starts at $28. Although pricey, an evening spent at Teatro ZinZanni will top any store-bought birthday or anniversary present and will add a special touch to any big moment.

Editor's note: Teatro ZinZanni also has video clips to give people a sense what happens inside the big tent.