On Running Away and Joining the Circus...

Last night I had the honor of accompanying The Charming Girl to Teatro Zinzanni. For those who are unfamiliar with the place, it is a dinner theater that takes place under this huge tent, they claim that the actual tent structure is like 100 years old and there are only 4 left in the world, but regardless of that they transport you to this other world. A turn of the centry cabarete where your entertainment is right there, smack dab in the middle of you and doing all manner of fantastic, cabaret acts. From roaring song and dance to stunning aerialists and astounding slapstick physical comedy.

For me there is something amazing about watching a live performance, to sit back and witness someone doing that thing that they are very, very good at. No amount of video footage can compare to seeing an aerialist up close and watching the tiny muscles on their stomach work as they hold their bodies in perfect form, 30 ft off the floor, the shine of pride in their eyes as they soak in the crowd's applause. Or perhaps it is the element of danger, not that they will fall, but rather the lack of wires, second takes and above all else, a live crowd not 10 ft away. They must not only perform, but they are nose to nose with their audience, that added random energy as they must also interact and improvise off them as well. It all just makes me feel like a wide eyed kid again, honestly. I think this is why I've been enjoying working with live cabaret groups like the Little Red Studio and Columbia City Cabaret.


Perhaps I'm was born too late and should have been in vaudeville :)