By Jessica Velez
Teatro ZinZanni is widely known for the tourist-friendly, circus-inspired performances it’s showcased for the last 10 years under arrangements of white tents along on the tourist-filled wharf at Pier 29. But this summer, there’s a fresh reason for fashion-following locals to pay a visit, thanks to the new show Love, Chaos, and Couture: All Dressed Up with Someplace to Go!
Opening its run in late May, the new show puts an emphasis on costume design with the help of native Seattle designer Luly Yang, best known for creating elegant couture bridal wear. For this production, Yang joined Beaver Bauer, who has been one of the show’s designers since 2000. Together they created detailed ensembles ranging from Hollywood glamour gowns to off-the-wall green suits.
The fashion focus doesn’t end with the costumes. The satirically funny and fast-paced show itself follows main characters and fashion designers Caesar and Liliane as they introduce their fall collections together, while waiters give frivolous fashion advice and pose like models before serving. The show draws to a close with an over-the-top runway show finale only Teatro ZinZanni could put together.
Woven throughout are acrobatic performances, displays of comedy and, sometimes, a mixture of the two. The result? A crowd oohing, ahhing and – occasionally – snorting in between bites of the the evening’s five-course meal. Peppered with adult humor, the event is perfect to entertain visiting parents (and probably not the kids).
Ready to get dressed up with some place to go? Tickets ($117-$145) are available at the box office at Pier 29 and online at www.zinzanni.org.
Photography courtesy of Marty Sohl
