Welcome to Teatro ZinZanni, where Madame ZinZanni sees to it that your senses are roused by the aroma of wine, the taste of food, and the sound of music. May  your emotions soar as you experience visions beyond belief. Madame ZinZanni’s staff is made up of world class artists who blossom into stars throughout the night, right before your eyes. 

Madame ZinZanni has set a feast for you, but an unexpected magical guest arrives at your table, transforming the evening into a waking dream.  With charm, humor, and magic the characters of the Spiegeltent are turned on their heads throughout this evening of Love, Chaos & Dinner.

Welcome to Teatro Zinzanni, where Madame Zinzanni sees to it that all your senses are amazed by the aromas of wine, the taste of food, the sound of music, the feelings of emotion, and with  visions beyond belief. Madame Z’s  staff is made up of world class circus artists that will bloom before the night is done. One by one they transform into stars right before your eyes.

Yes, Madame Zinzanni has set a feast for you but a special, magical guest has reserved a spot at the table….  With charm, humor, and magic our guests turn the spiegeltent on its head throughout this evening of Love, Dinner, & Chaos.

Meet the Cast

Sa’Rayah

@SaRayahOfficial

Sa’Rayah

@SaRayahOfficial

Sa’Rayah  is a soulful, multifaceted vocalist, recording artist, producer, actress, and motivational speaker. The Chicago native fell in love with music as a young child and started her journey as a singer in church where she performed her first song at the tender age of five. She is most known for her heart-felt performances on the hit television show, NBC’s ‘The Voice’, where she was mentored by Grammy Award-winning artist, Alicia Keys, and pop star, Miley Cyrus. Her vocal performance of Etta James’ “I’d Rather Go Blind” and Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart’s, “I’ll Take Care of You,” served as one of the show’s greatest highlights and even landed her at #1 on the iTunes Blues Charts.

Sa’Rayah has shared staged with artists such as the legendary Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, Ariana Grande, Enrique Iglesias, Shanice Wilson, and K. Michelle to name a few. She’s been featured on ESPN delivering her powerful rendition of the National Anthem for hometown teams such as the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Cubs. Sa’Rayah has been featured in musical productions for the hit television series, “Empire” on FOX. She’s undeniably become a fan favorite of one of Chicago’s top professional event bands, the Chicago Catz.

Sa’Rayah has received the Illinois Music Educator’s Association Award of Excellence (IMEA) multiple times and has also received Superior rankings in vocal competitions over the Chicagoland Area. She studied and acquired a Degree in Performing Arts with an emphasis on musical theater and vocal performance. 

Having experience both the ups and downs of life in the industry of entertainment, Sa’Rayah is an artist who inspires belief that, through faith & perseverance, all things and all DREAMS are possible.

Lucy Darling

@lucydarlingmagic

Lucy Darling

@lucydarlingmagic

Known the world over for her wit, her charm, and exceptionally good hair, Lucy’s shows are a wonderful mix of playful improvisational comedy, hilarious, witty writing, and impossible magical feats.

Miss Darling is a 15-time Award-Winning Entertainer featured in the Guinness Book of World Records (2014), Ripley’s Believe it or Not (2015), and the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Allan Slaight Award. Lucy has received the Carlton Award in comedy from the Magic Circle and has been voted Stage Magician of the Year at the Magic Castle two years in a row.

Ulzii Mergen

@ulziikee

Ulzii Mergen

@ulziikee

Ulzii discovered her contortion abilities at the age of 4, and entered Mongolia’s National Circus School when she turned 7, where she developed her contortion skills. Already at the age of 9, Ulzii was chosen to join the cast of renowned Cirque du Soleil. Her career began ever since she started traveling and performing in many Cirque du Soleil productions such as Alegria, Amaluna and Totem. After an exciting decade performing all around the world with Cirque Du Soleil and traveling to over 40 countries, Ulzii moved on to create her individual style and began working with other productions companies across the entertainment industry. No matter which new project Ulzii embarks on she always carefully crafts her creation expressing her unique style of performing.

Michael Evolution

@michaelevolution

Michael Evolution

@michaelevolution

Michael van Beek also known as ‘Michael Evolution’ is a world-class basketball freestyle juggler that amazed millions of people in his career. With 2 decades of live stage experience, Michael has earned his marks in the performing art industry! He became the 1st basketball freestyle juggler that brought excitement into the world of theatre, variety & circus with his artistic creativity, showmanship and captivating skillset.

His successful career has brought his performances to prominent entertainment companies such as Cirque du Soleil, Teatro ZinZanni, GOP Variety, UniverSoul Circus, URBANATIX, Wintergarten Berlin, CIRCUS AFRIKA! AFRIKA!, Krystallpalast Variety and many more!

Michael also was the body double/ choreographer for the legendary NBA athlete Kobe Bryant in the advertising commercial of Turkish Airline, became a finalist at ‘Beat The Best’ Dutch television show, delivered the perfect performance in words said by Dieter Bohlen on German television at ‘Das Supertalent’, received the ‘Varieté Et Cetera’ award at Krystallpalast’s Newcomershow Festival and won the 2023 VIVA Fest ‘World Circus Arts Championships’ along with receiving the special award from ‘Cirque du Soleil’. 

Lea Hinz

@lea_lacht

Lea Hinz

@lea_lacht

Lea Hinz is a performer, director and creator.

Her powerful acts combine a high technical level with character work. Lea is known for her unique spinning elements and her captivating stage presence, she has performed in venues all around the world such as Absinthe Vegas, La Soiree NYC, La Clique, Lio Ibiza, Cirque de Demain Paris, Wintergarten Berlin, GOP Variete Germany, Urbanatix.

Originally from Germany, Lea resides in Las Vegas. She is a founding member of the creative production company COSMIC DRAMA, has recently directed the immersive circus experience AFTER DARK and works as artistic director and act creator.

Lea is excited to perform for Teatro ZinZanni in her third season and to spread magic around the tent!

Danila Bim

@danila_bim

Danila Bim

@danila_bim

From São Paulo, Brazil. Danila Bim is a multidisciplinary artist, performer, producer, and director who has spent the last two decades expanding her skills as a world-class acrobat. Conceiving, creating, and performing original acts on Cirque Du Soleil, Palazzo, Ringling Bros, and many more prestigious stages.

Duo 19

@cassiecutler19 and @oliverandcompanytrapeze

Duo 19

@cassiecutler19 and @oliverandcompanytrapeze

Duo 19 is made up of Oliver Parkinson and Cassie Cutler, a dynamic trapeze duo taking over the world one theater at a time. Together they push the boundaries of aerial technique to create an act known for its eye-catching tricks and enthralling style.

Oliver is a former MMA champion with a PhD in medicinal chemistry. An overachiever to his core, he became a flying trapeze catcher, a duo trapeze porter and ever since, has toured the world upside down.

Cassie grew up doing gymnastics in Los Angeles, and realized early on that she never wanted to stop flipping. Since then, she’s toured with Pippin the Musical, worked with Circus Roncalli and Circus 1903, just to name a few.

Together, they have traveled the world performing with companies such as: Bacio Rosso, Circus Monti, Circus Sarasota and Palazzo. They are thrilled to be back at Teatro Zinzanni for their second season. 

Meet the Band

Theodis Rodgers, Jr

Music Director & Piano

Theodis Rodgers, Jr

Music Director & Piano

Theodis Rodgers Jr. is an American Jazz pianist and multi-keyboardist from Chicago, Illinois. He has worked in theater, television and motion pictures as a performer, composer, arranger, producer and music conductor/director both nationally and internationally. Theodis has appeared on countless album recordings.

He has been music director/ keyboardist for Curtis Mayfield, Patti LaBelle, Angela Bofill, Jennifer Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Ramsey Lewis, Freddie Hubbard, The Emotions and Dennis De Young.

Theodis is a former member of the funk/rock band Love Craft. He also currently tours as pianist/conductor for Sandy Hackett’s ‘Rat Pack Show’.

Mr. Rodgers’ film credits include a cameo appearance with Sheena Easton in the movie “Indecent Proposal”. He also co-wrote music for the movie “A Family Thing” which featured actors Robert DuVall and James Earl Jones.

Theodis has recently concluded a multi-city tour of Russia with vocalist, Tecora
Rogers and the Chicago Spirituals with performances in concert halls and cathedrals across the country. He has also performed at the Hat Jazz Club in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 2012, Theodis lived and performed in Beijing, China. He appeared regularly at Beijing’s China Wing Hotel and The East Shore Live Jazz Cafe. He also conducted Master classes at the Beijing Contemporary Music Institute.

Recently, Theodis has appeared along with Classical pianist, George Cooper and Ragtime pianist, Reginald Robinson in a self – penned concert series called ”From Mozart to Monk”.

His theatrical performances as a musical director and/or pianist include productions of ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, Tony Award winner Hinton Battle’s ‘Largely Live’, ’Dreamgirls’ and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’.

Mr. Rodgers currently lives and performs regularly in Chicago, Illinois and travels inter-nationally with his Jazz trio.

Some of his recent Chicago performances include:
The Quarry, Room 43, Norman’s Bistro, Andy’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase and Winters Jazz Club.

Jose Martinez

Drums & Percussion

Jose Martinez

Drums & Percussion

Percussionist and drummer Jose D Martinez is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado with a BA in Music. He was part of the local music scene in Seattle for about 20 years before relocating to Chicago. While in Seattle, he played with many local jazz artists, as well as performing with Teatro Zinzanni Seattle in various shows since 2008. He also toured with the jam band Leftover Salmon for 12 years, playing various festivals and venues across the USA.

Jon Negus

Woodwinds & Keyboard

Jon Negus

Woodwinds & Keyboard

Jon is a woodwind player, studio singer, composer, freelance producer, and film scorer that has performed in Chicago for the past 40 years.

His instruments, voice, and writing have been heard on hundreds of radio and television commercials worldwide. He has performed with Celine Dion, Bob Hope, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick, Denis Leary, Joan Rivers, Enuff Z’nuff , Debbie Reynolds & Donald O’Connor, Eddie Arnold, The Temptations, The Lennon Sisters, Dennis DeYoung and Styx, among others. Jon produced more than 700 music tracks for the preschool music program Kindermusik. He is a founding member of The Lakeside Singers celebrating its 23rd year.

Phil Seed

Guitar

Phil Seed

Guitar

Recently featured on Jennifer Hudson’s hit single “It’s Your World”, and after many years of performing, composing, and arranging, Phil Seed has cemented his place among the “A” list musicians in Chicago. Phil toured regularly with comedian Bernie Mac as an original member of Bernie’s stage band, “The Mac Men.” Soon thereafter, Phil would perform with such industry giants as Chaka Khan, George Duke, Sheila E., and Will Downing. In the Chicago area, Phil is perhaps best known as the longtime guitarist for Detour JazFunk.

Phil has performed with hip-hop and R&B artists Erykah Badu, Common, Marsha Ambrosius, and Eric Roberson. He also worked with Cedric the Entertainer for his TBS Just for Laughs live special “Cedric’s Urban Circus”. Presently he is pouring his musical passion and sense of humor into his much-anticipated solo project.

“I just want people to feel the same excitement I get from playing the music; I want them to feel the energy, and to have fun.” – Phil Seed

Chuck Webb

Bass

Chuck Webb

Bass

Bassist, writer, producer and educator Chuck Webb has toured the world many times performing with such notable artists as Aretha Franklin, Grover Washington Jr., Ramsey Lewis, Bill Withers, David Sanborn and many others.

Chuck has performed on hundreds of records, commercial jingles, sound tracks and theater productions including Hamilton, Wicked, Jersey Boys and Motown the Musical. Chuck is an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago and the owner of Earth Tone Enterprises production company through which he has produced and composed scores for motion pictures, educational programs, popular music CDs and his own solo and band projects.