By Trent Modglin

Playing at the Cambria Hotel
32 W. Randolph Street in Chicago
312-488-0900
Zinzanni.com/Chicago

Details: Inside the Cambria Hotel in the heart of Chicago’s Theater District, Teatro ZinZanni: Love, Chaos & Dinner is performed in an ornate spiegeltent, or “mirror tent,” which dates back to 20th Century Europe as a type of mobile venue that was used for a variety of gatherings and shows.

Get there early, grab a cocktail in the lounge, and then step inside the velvet walls for an evening of wild entertainment you won’t soon forget.

How we’d describe it: It’s an original art form for sure, combining an incredibly unique fusion of — are you ready for this? — cirque, comedy, cabaret, vaudeville, spectacle and live concert. Yep, we told you it was unique. Oh, and a delicious multi-course dinner too. Can’t forget that.

Intimate, immersive and outrageously creative, ZinZanni is a nonstop entertainment ride that will have your eyes darting up and around to all angles of the room just to avoid missing anything.

Intimate, immersive and outrageously creative, ZinZanni is a nonstop entertainment ride. There’s simply nothing like it.

The talented cast — which includes the powerful voice Sa’Rayah as Madame Z, the magic and sketch comedy performances of Lucy Darling (Carisa Hendrix), the acrobatic theatrics of Ulzii Mergen (contortionist), Michael Evolution (juggler of basketballs), Lea Hinz (aerial hoop), Danila Bim (aerialist and hair hang), the duo of Oliver Parkinson and Cassie Cutler (trapeze), and a live band — is truly something to behold. Each is able to captivate the room with a solo performance, but they also work together like clockwork in other stages of the show.

What we liked best: The mesmerizing aerial acrobatics, the singing performances and the quick-witted comedy bits from Lucy Darling, who expertly uses members of the audience to her advantage. In case you haven’t noticed, there is never a dull moment. Don’t be surprised to see members of the cast pull up a chair and engage you in conversation, or perhaps with skit or magic trick, in the in-between moments while food is being served or a set is being assembled. We loved that personalized aspect of the show.

Don’t be surprised to see members of the cast pull up a chair and engage you in conversation, or perhaps with skit or magic trick, in the in-between moments of the show.

Something to consider: If you’re not keen on being part of the show, you may want to request seating along the outside ring because if you’re near the middle, consider yourself fair game during a few of the acts. Also, there is a new Teatro ZinZanni show that takes the stage every six months or so, which means if you’ve seen this particular performance already, a new version will be out soon enough.

Final thoughts: If you want to be transported back in time and entertained by an assortment of unique (and often jaw-dropping) performances, and personalities, and dinner, Teatro ZinZanni should definitely be on your radar for a night out in the city. There’s simply nothing like it.