“Love Chaos & Dinner” Teatro ZinZanni (2024 edition)

The new show opened tonight, high atop the Cambria Hotel on Randolph ( just a few doors from the Nederlander Theatre). The room and lobby is the prefect setting for a Cirque-type performance, which is called “performance arts” as it is not a play, yet there are little skits throughout. Part of the evening ( or afternoon) is that “dinner is served” ( or lunch during matinee performances). Be prepared for three hours from start to finish.

As usual, a comedian is a major part of making the show work. Comedian Kevin Kent is quite funny and plays an audience with great skill. Those who have been a witness to Frank Ferante’s “Cesar” character will try to compare, but that cannot be done. They are total opposites, with the exception of playing off the audience and making them comfortable on the center stage!

The room is amazing and it might have added some tables from previous performances. When you are taken to your table, you will find the  Corn Cake ( fresh herb corn cake, serrano mousse, pickled serrano and frisee lettuce). This will be followed up by Doily’s Garden Salad ( arugula, cucumber, pickled red onion, watermelon, feta cheese, lime and mint vinaigrette dressing). There are several main courses- chicken, pork chop and salmon as well as a veggie choice and for dessert Bananas in the Limelight ( lime mousse with cinnamon-banana cream, cajeta, toasted meringue and rice crunch).

There are other items available as well as enhancements that do not come with the ticket. There are many items to choose from and a great selection of beverages to please every palate. During the show, we are served our items as the players dictate. I found it to work efficiently, others were hungrier, I suppose. My suggestion, have a snack at 4 p.m. as dinner will not be served until almost 8:15.

This particular show has more singing than the previous ones in that they are featuring  the world-renowned singer Liv Warfield ( she started the evening with Jane and I at our table). If you are an AGT person, I need not say anymore. Aerialist Cunio ( who has been involved in previous shows) has changed hats and is now sort of the emcee and does a lot of strutting and singing. While he has a powerful voice and struts well, I , for one, enjoyed watching him do his circus performances over the years.

The contortionist, Elayne Kramer is amazing as is the “AGT” hula hoop artist Vita Radionova, who made a number of hoops appear to be a “slinky” with her captured inside. Raphael Nepomuceno is quite the aerialist and the powerful dance routing of Micky & Vlada will leave you spellbound. I for one would prefer more acts and perhaps a little less song, but the comedy of Kent a/k/a Doily was great fun.