When was the last time you were truly amazed? It’s time to make that moment happen again in a world of comedy, music, circus and romance at Teatro ZinZanni! Twenty-five years ago we created our first show in our Belgian Spiegeltent on Mercer Street in Seattle, and now it’s time to celebrate! We are glad you are joining us in our once-in-a-generation special show in the beautiful Sanctuary ballroom of the luxurious Lotte Hotel Seattle. We have “planted” the floor, booths and mirrored walls of the Spiegeltent in the Sanctuary with its 70’ dome ceiling above and invited a cast of stunning comedians, circus artists and musicians, both veterans from many past productions and some wonderful new Seattle stars. The Lotte Hotel culinary team has created the four-course feast that is part of the celebration. We believe that laughter is the tonic we all need during Seattle’s dark months as we share common ground again with our fellow citizens of the brilliant ever-changing town we live in. We are happy that you are here tonight – let’s have fun!
When was the last time you were truly amazed? It’s time to make that moment happen again in a world of comedy, music, circus and romance at Teatro ZinZanni! Twenty-five years ago we created our first show in our Belgian Spiegeltent on Mercer Street in Seattle, and now it’s time to celebrate! We are glad you are joining us in our once-in-a-generation special show in the beautiful Sanctuary ballroom of the luxurious Lotte Hotel Seattle. We have “planted” the floor, booths and mirrored walls of the Spiegeltent in the Sanctuary with its 70’ dome ceiling above and invited a cast of stunning comedians, circus artists and musicians, both veterans from many past productions and some wonderful new Seattle stars. The Lotte Hotel culinary team has created the four-course feast that is part of the celebration. We believe that laughter is the tonic we all need during Seattle’s dark months as we share common ground again with our fellow citizens of the brilliant ever-changing town we live in. We are happy that you are here tonight – let’s have fun!
Meet the Cast
Duo Madrona
Duo Madrona
Ben Wendel and Rachel Nehmer met as biology students at Haverford College. After a successful stint as lab partners, the couple decided to test out their chemistry…this time, in the air. Duo Madrona created their trapeze duet at Seattle’s School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA), and made their debut at the 2006 Moisture Festival. In the years following they have logged thousands of performances across the US and Europe, including the 29th Festival du Cirque de Demain, Circus Flora, Tigerpalast Variete, Palazzo, Circus Monti, Circus Syzygy, Acrobatic Conundrum, Flynn Creek Circus and an appearance on French television with Patrick Sebastien’s “Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde”. Ben and Rachel have been exploring the rich theatrical universe of Teatro ZinZanni since 2009. From monster to mayor, from scientist to chorus girl, to falling down the rabbit hole and ending up in the same Alice dress, the duo has brought to life a wide variety of memorable characters. In real life, Ben and Rachel are based in Seattle and are proud parents of two wild children.
Noel Aguilar
Noel Aguilar
Noel Aguilar is a talented performer hailing from a generational circus family in Mexico. Born into a family of performers, Noel was introduced to the art of juggling at a young age by his father, a skilled juggler himself. Noel quickly developed a passion for juggling and honed his skills to become an award-winning performer. Noel has won multiple awards for his juggling act, including the prestigious clown award for the new generation of circus competition hosted by the royal family of Monte Carlo. His fun, energetic, and charismatic performances have been enjoyed by audiences around the world, appearing in various shows, theaters, and circuses. With his incredible talent and dedication to his craft, Noel has established himself as a world-class performer. His passion for juggling and his ability to captivate audiences with his performances have made him a favorite among fans of all ages. Whether he’s performing in a circus tent or on a grand stage, Noel never fails to dazzle his audience with his incredible performance.
Elena Gatilova
Elena Gatilova
Elena Gatilova’s interdisciplinary career began in Crimea at just four years old, where as a rhythmic gymnast she quickly earned international recognition as a five-time national champion, achievements that soon launched her into a global career in dance and aerial performance.
In 2002, Cirque du Soleil invited Elena to join the opening cast of their provocative Las Vegas production Zumanity, where as a principal acrobatic character and lead dancer, Elena performed in more than 2,500 shows, appeared in Playboy, Vanity Fair, on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, on Last Call with Carson Daly, and in the documentary film Cirque du Soleil: Lovesick (Sony Pictures).
Elena has shared artistic spaces with global icons including Cher, designer Thierry Mugler, photographer David LaChapelle, and choreographer Bill Goodson. She charmed viewers on more than 40 episodes of the popular Italian TV show Chiambretti Night. In Macau, Elena shared the stage with Dita Von Teese in Franco Dragnone’s Taboo. In 2017 Elena joined the the international tour of Circus 1903: The Golden Age of Circus, from the creators of the hit Broadway show The Illusionists. More than once Elena has had the distinctive honor to perform for world leaders including the British royal family at in London’s prestigious 2018 Royal Variety Performance, and among others, President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau at the 2022 Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.
In addition to starring in many productions of Teatro ZinZanni in Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago, Elena served off-stage as artistic producer for this 25th anniversary celebration.
Leah Jones
Leah Jones
Leah’s passion for dance and choreography began in her childhood home, where her living room was her rehearsal (and performance) space and where her parents were her willing audience. While the living room, and parents, admittedly made for a pretty good set up, Leah eventually saw the need to explore dance outside of her immediate confines; she proceeded to spend the next five years training ballet in Oregon Ballet Theater’s pre-professional program. This comprehensive foundation in ballet ended up being extremely useful when, a few years after deciding that a life in ballet wasn’t quite the right fit, she discovered Aerial Straps. Straps provided the combination of physical rigor, requisite discipline, and creative demand that Leah had always craved. It was truly love at first sight and has now been an all-consuming fixation for the past decade. Straps has taken Leah to circus schools up and down the West Coast to train and to coach; to Montreal, where she received her most formative training with Cirque du Soleil straps specialist Chloé Farah; to local stages with companies such as the Acrobatic Conundrum; and to national and international contracts as far away as Macau, China. Leah is currently based in Seattle, Washington, where her bread and butter is coaching straps, training, choreographing, and collaborating with other artists.
Elayne Kramer
Elayne Kramer
Elayne Kramer is a remarkable 6th-generation circus performer hailing from Argentina. Her journey in the circus world began at the tender age of 4 under the guidance of her father, and by the age of 7, she was mesmerizing audiences as a contortionist. Throughout her career, Elayne has honed her skills as a Hand-balancing/Contortion artist, earning her a reputation as one of the finest of her generation.
Her extraordinary talent has been acknowledged with numerous accolades, including a prestigious Bronze Clown at the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo in 2008, as well as silver in the Circus Festival in Russia and gold in the Onternational Circus Festival in Japan. Her captivating performances have taken her across the United States, gracing prominent stages such as Spiegelworld’s Absinthe Las Vegas and Teatro ZinZanni Chicago. Notably, Elayne was a featured artist in the Big Apple Circus’ 35th anniversary production, “Legendarium.”
In addition to her live performances, Elayne has also showcased her skills on various television shows, capturing the hearts of audiences on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Good Morning America on ABC News, and WABC’s Live with Kelly and Michael show. Her talent and dedication have made her a shining star in the world of circus entertainment, enchanting audiences worldwide with her awe-inspiring performances and extraordinary contortion abilities.
Nathan Price
Nathan Price
Comedian, acrobat and software wizard Nathan Price opens this special Teatro ZinZanni show in Seattle with his usual agility and wit. He is already known to Seattle audiences for his hand-to-hand and roller-skating skills featured in the 2019 production of Teatro ZInZanni.
Nathan is a member of Trio Vertex, a Hand to Trapeze trio based in London, England.
Hand to Trapeze is an exciting new circus discipline combining the death-defying techniques of Doubles Trapeze, with the acrobatic spectacle of Hand to Hand.
Formed in 2021, Trio Vertex have appeared across Europe on multiple television shows, in 2022 they took part in Young Stage circus festival in Switzerland where they won the Gold Star and the audience award.
Trio Vertex will make its Seattle debut on November 1, 2023.
Tiffany Wilson
Tiffany Wilson
Tiffany Wilson is a Washington- based Vocalist, Songwriter and Independent Artist. Through her music she is an advocate for social awareness and justice as well as an ally for the youth and their artistic expression.
Tiffany Wilson has endeared herself to audiences across the world with magnetic live performances and unflinching honesty. Drawing from a well of inspiration that reflects inner and outer change and the vision of a brighter future.
Teatro ZinZanni is proud to welcome TIffany Wilson as Madame ZinZanni!
Tim Tyler ‘Mr. PP’
Tiffany Wilson
Suddenly, in 1978, realising that schools were not for him, he tore up his degree and ran away with “The Mushroom Troup.”. His career as a comic began.
What drives a person to master the surprising and arguably useless performance skills that have delighted audiences worldwide? It has something to do with fulfilling his childhood dream of being a “clown.”
Tim has developed, over the years, a variety of odd astonishing skills, including his world famous ping pong ball mouth juggling routine, egg balancing, wire walking, and unicycling to mention a few.
He is an accomplished musician who toured with the Melbourne Philharmonic Orchestra. As a singer he has played lead roles in the Broadway versions of “The Pirates of Penzance” and “HMS Pinafore” on tour Australia and New Zealand. He was also a guest artist with Graham Murphy’s Sydney Dance Company and The Australian Ballet’s production “Tivoli.”
Mr P.P.
Tim as his creation “Mr P.P.” has worked extensively for the last thirty five years in theatre, cabaret and variety shows around the world, delighting audiences of all ages.
He was in the Broadway production of “Pomp, Duck and Circumstance” in New York and Atlanta and performed in Teatro ZinZanni’s shows in San Francisco, Chicago and Seattle.
Mr P.P. has hosted and performed in variety shows around the world, including “Palazzo” Amsterdam, Berlin, Vienna and Basel. He has done seasons in Berlin’s Wintergarten, Salle d’Etoile in Monte Carlo, Jongleur’s in London, Circus Roncalli”s “Clowns of the World” Ronacher Theatre Vienna, The Last Laugh in Melbourne, Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast Australia and several Royal Command Performances for the Prince of Hanover.
Tim Tyler’s solo theater shows have toured Internationally to festivals such as The London International Mime Festival, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Seoul Arts Centre Korea, Melbourne Comedy Festival, Just For Laughs Festival Montreal, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Vancouver Comedy Festival, Festival d’Ete Quebec, Wellington International Festival, Hong Kong Fringe Festival and Cardiff festival
In 2010 he created and performed with Johnny Fillion a new duo show, “Me Two” in the Festival “Montreal Completement Cirque” and “Festival D’Ete” in Quebec city.
In 2017 he joined forces with Joe De Paul and created “Thank God for Tim and Joe” with creative development grants from CALQ and CAC. Their new duo show has toured to Spain, Toronto, Montreal and Marseille.
Meet the Band
Hans Teuber
Music Director
Hans Teuber
Music Director
Hans Teuber has been a top call saxophonist woodwind doubler composer, arranger and keyboardist in the Pacific Northwest for over 30 years. In 2021 he was inducted into the Earshot Jazz Hall of Fame.
Hans has recorded with many artists and toured extensively, traveling North America, Europe Japan and Brazil. He has performed with such jazz luminaries as George Cables, Julian Priester, Bill Frisell, Chano Domingues, Michael White and Wayne Horvitz. He toured and recorded with folk singer Ani DiFranco
and recorded with notable Seattle rock bands Brad and Mudhoney.
Hans also has been actively involved in the cirque world spending 18 years with Teatro ZinZanni and currently working with Montreal’s comedy duo “Monseigneures Tim et Joe”.
Hans’ albums as a leader: “Lucky” Origin Records
“Looky” Jackson Street Records
“Oil” w/ Paul Rucker Jackson Street Records
“Deuce” w/Jeff Johnson Origin Records
Brian Monroney
Guitar
Brian Monroney
Guitar
During over three decades as a busy sideman and session musician, guitarist Brian Monroney has performed or recorded with artists including Gloria Estefan, Natalie Cole, Barry Manilow and Tom Jones (Brian toured as Sir Tom’s guitarist and Musical Director for nearly 18 years). In addition to performing and session work, Brian works as an arranger, music copyist, and guitar teacher. Currently a resident of Tacoma, Brian has performed with a number of notable PNW artists and bands including Lee Oskar, Nearly Dan, Greta Matassa, Bill Anschell and Teatro ZinZanni.
Eric Eagle
Drums
Eric Eagle
Drums
Drummer Eric Eagle was born in Nashville, but was quickly transplanted to a suburb of Seattle, WA where he grew up playing music in school and regional groups. He spent two years studying music at the University of Washington, and with encouragement drumming legend Billy Hart, moved to New Jersey to attend the Jazz Studies program at William Paterson College under the tutelage of Horacee Arnold and John Riley.
Not interested in limiting himself to any one particular style but rather finding the common elements that exist in all his favorite music, Eric has found himself equally at home in a wide range of musical outlets. He has honed his craft performing and recording around the world with artists ranging from jazz (Julian Priester, Wayne Horvitz, Bill Frisell, Kenny Kirkland) to songwriters (Brandi Carlile, Jesse Sykes, Amy Ray, Laura Veirs) to rock & roll legends (The Kinks’ Ray Davies, The Band’s Robbie Robertson, Crosby, Stills, & Nash, ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons). He has performed at esteemed venues including Red Rocks Amphitheatre and The Fillmore, and many prestigious festivals in North America and Europe including “All Tomorrow’s Parties”, “Peace and Love Festival”, “Winnipeg Folk Festival”, “Sasquatch”, and “Vancouver International Jazz Festival”. Eric also records and mixes music operating out of Skoor Sound, his studio in West Seattle.
Keith Lowe
Bassist emeritus
Keith Lowe
Bassist emeritus
Keith Lowe has over 40 years of performing experience on both electric and acoustic bass. He studied classically for 15 years and played in various orchestras before moving on to jazz and rock where he has toured and recorded with such artists as Fiona Apple, David Sylvian, Bill Frisell, Harold Budd, Wayne Horvitz and has been a member of the band BRAD since 2008. Since 2016 he has been a member of the orchestra for the legendary Teatro ZinZanni cirque and cabaret dinner theater. His diverse background and wide ranging and comprehensive approach to music has resulted in a tuneful, solid, and eclectic style that has him in demand both as a performer and studio musician. Keith recently released his first solo album entitled “The Other Half of Silence.”
Steve Moore
Trombone & Keyboard
Steve Moore
Trombone & Keyboard
Steve Moore (aka Stebmo – b. Jan 9, 1976) is a multi-instrumentalist hailing from Seattle, WA. Known as a pianist, with a love for wurlitzers, casiotones and bells, he is also a trombonist and composer. As a studio musician and sideman, he has a resume that reads like a cult top-10 list with artists as diverse as songwriter Sufjan Stevens, jazz hero Bill Frisell and black metal mavericks sunnO))).
Moore’s formative years were spent playing jazz and free improvisation in the Pacific Northwest, a rich scene that allowed collaboration and study with some of jazz’s modern masters including Julian Priester, Steve Turre, Robin Holcomb and Wayne Horvitz. Eventually, he met and recorded with producer Tucker Martine in 1997 – this meeting had a profound impact on the direction of Moore’s music and career. Together they have collaborated in the ambient collective Mount Analog and on dozens of albums ranging from the far-left twang of Jim White to classic Seattle rockers Mudhoney.
Since 2001, he has performed regularly as part of Laura Veirs’ band Saltbreakers playing keyboards, trombone, singing and occasionally playing bass.
As a composer, Steve Moore first began to make a name for himself as a member of Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet. A chance run-in with the saxophone veteran prompted Moore to join a weekly show performing at Seattle’s Owl N Thistle and a return to improvised music. What followed was the Ropeadope Records release of Skerik’s Syncopated Taint Septet in the fall of 2003. Causing a small revolution in the jam band scene, the band toured heavily and took the opportunity to record in LA with grammy winning engineer Husky Huskolds.
In the fall of 2005, for the recording of their comeback album Hex, Moore joined the legendary Seattle band Earth at the behest of producer Randall Dunn. With their first studio album in nine years, Dylan Carlson’s Earth had begun to explore a new sound — cleaner guitar tones and more open, pastoral compositions. Moore’s trombone and keyboard played a crucial role on the album as well as the tours that were to follow. This sound has evolved over the course of three albums together, reaching a psychedelic pinnacle on 2008’s The Bee Made Honey In The Lion’s Skull, which also featured Bill Frisell. Southern Lord label-mates sunnO))) asked Moore to join the band for the recording of their collaborative album Altar, with Japanese band Boris, in 2006. In addition to touring the US and Europe, he has also gone on to record two more albums with the band, including the most recent Dømkirke, a live album from Norway’s Borealis Festival.
Celebrating a sonic palette as diverse as the artists he’s worked with, Steve Moore’s self-titled debut album STEBMO is a breath of much needed fresh air into the jazz pantheon. Produced by long-time collaborator Tucker Martine, the album is alive with a fresh compositional outlook and the spark created in a one day session with an all star rhythm section. Matt Chamberlain, having worked with everyone from Brad Meldauh to Tori Amos, is one of the most celebrated drummers of our time and he’s joined by another heavy hitter in bassist Todd Sickafoose, trusted musical sidekick for Ani DiFranco, Jenny Scheinman and many others. To complete their vision, Moore and Martine enlisted the help of violist Eyvind Kang, providing masterful string arrangements alongside brooding woodwind treatments by Doug Wieselman. The resulting nine tracks are a beautiful and truly original take on instrumental music.
ABOUT THE LOTTE HOTEL
Rising from 5th Avenue and Marion Street, Lotte Hotel Seattle is prominently situated in the heart of downtown Seattle, just minutes away from the city’s famous attractions. Boasting an artistic yet modern design, the 189-room Lotte Hotel Seattle is where the present and the past co-exist. The hotel features extensive facilities, such as a cocktail lounge and signature restaurant, Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge, that offer spectacular views of the Pacific Northwest from the highest floor of the hotel, as well as the award-winning Le Spa de l’hôtel LOTTE. A prime destination for elegant events and weddings, the hotel also houses the nation’s oldest Beaux-style architectural building founded in 1908, The Sanctuary, in addition to a selection of meeting spaces for events of all sizes.
ABOUT THE LOTTE HOTEL
Rising from 5th Avenue and Marion Street, Lotte Hotel Seattle is prominently situated in the heart of downtown Seattle, just minutes away from the city’s famous attractions. Boasting an artistic yet modern design, the 189-room Lotte Hotel Seattle is where the present and the past co-exist. The hotel features extensive facilities, such as a cocktail lounge and signature restaurant, Charlotte Restaurant & Lounge, that offer spectacular views of the Pacific Northwest from the highest floor of the hotel, as well as the award-winning Le Spa de l’hôtel LOTTE. A prime destination for elegant events and weddings, the hotel also houses the nation’s oldest Beaux-style architectural building founded in 1908, The Sanctuary, in addition to a selection of meeting spaces for events of all sizes.
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