Teatro ZinZanni’s ‘Love, Chaos, And Dinner’ Is Electric And Captivating

Teatro ZinZanni’s Love, Chaos, and Dinner is a fantastical dinner theater experience that combines circus arts, comedy, cabaret, and a gourmet multi-course meal in a tent-like setting. A performance unlike any other, this is one that you’ll never forget.

When I was a little kid, my parents would take me to see musical productions at the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse on the southwest side of Chicago. We would get dressed up, walk into an in-the-round theater, take our seats at the table meant for us, and watch amazing things happen on stage while eating a delicious dinner.

These are memories that I treasure for various reasons, but they gave me an appreciation for dinner theater that you don’t get to experience much today. Dinner theater has become less common, as it is a feat in and of itself, and the opportunities just aren’t there very often.

Well, this summer in Chicago – Teatro ZinZanni’s Love, Chaos, and Dinner is the place to be. A magical performance that includes a 4-course gourmet meal, be sure to check your schedule and book your tickets.

The theater is a large tent-like room with tables in rings outside of the center ring, where the performers engage in most of their acts. Across from the entrance is a live 5-person band and, on either side of the band, are doors from which the service staff and performers often arrive.

The food was delicious. The appetizer is a large chunk of Fresh Herb Corn Cake (with Serrano Mousse, Pickled Serrano, and Frisée Lettuce) followed by Doily’s Garden Salad (Arugula, Cucumber, Pickled Red Onion, Watermelon, Feta Cheese, Lime and Mint Vinaigrette).

For your main course, you have your choice of chicken, pork chops, salmon, or a green coconut curry (the descriptions of which you can read on the full menu), and dessert is called Bananas In The Limelight (Lime Mousse with Cinnamon-Banana Cream, Cajeta, Toasted Meringue and Rice Crunch). Note – the menu is subject to change, but this is the menu served as of the writing of this review.

I was very impressed with both the quality and presentation of the food, as well as the timing of when dishes were served throughout the performance. There are additional appetizers, main course upgrades, and beverages available for an extra charge, but I would have been happy with what was included in the price of the ticket at any restaurant around town. It was very good.

I highly recommend arriving at your performance 20-30 minutes before showtime. There is a preshow that will allow you to see some of the characters and performers, get your drinks ordered, and appreciate the visuals inside of the tent. Once the show begins, your food won’t be the thing you are thinking about.

At showtime, you are greeted by Cunio, the club owner and singer. Cunio is magnetic. Wearing 6-inch heels (or higher!) and extraordinary costumes, Cunio engages the audience and often serves as the night’s MC. His persona and singing voice are a combination of Freddy Mercury, Axl Rose, and Mick Jagger. It is electric, dirty, and delicious. It was a thrill every time he was on stage.

LiV Warfield, the second singer and a highlight of this production, is a current America’s Got Talent contestant and Simon Cowell’s golden buzzer. She performs with a rich voice and passion, often singing with Cunio, and displaying some fantastic ensembles.

There are various circus acts, including an aerialist (Rafael), a contortionist (Elayne Kramer), a hula hoop artist (Vita Radionova), and hand-to-hand acrobats (Mickael Bajazet and Vlada Romanova). Each performer (or duo) has a spotlight performance but plays other roles throughout the production as well. All of this happens inside the tent, only feet away from you.

Doily (played by Kevin Kent), a cocktail waitress and drag queen, is the show’s comic relief. Smart, funny, and quick, Doily does everything from driving around the venue in a tiny motorized airplane to engaging the audience and bringing them up on stage. She has a penchant for interacting with the men (especially the bald men!), so get ready.

This is an audience participation performance and it is an exceptional amount of fun and laughs. Mr. Kent has been with Teatro ZinZanni since its first production in 1998, so you can be sure that he knows what he’s doing!

Love, Chaos, and Dinner is truly a night you won’t forget. With excellent food, exciting performances, and visual wonders, you will not be disappointed. It’s like watching America’s Got Talent on television, but in real life, right in your own backyard. Go see it!

Love, Chaos, and Dinner runs for approximately 3 hours, including a full meal and two intermissions that allow for food and beverage service as well as restroom visits.

Teatro ZinZanni: Love, Chaos, and Dinner Chicago Review – Love, Chaos, and Dinner is playing at Teatro ZinZanni through 8/31/24. Tickets can be purchased on the Teatro ZinZanni website or by calling (312) 488-0900. Teatro ZinZanni is located at 32 W. Randolph St, inside the Cambria Hotel in Chicago.