Teatro Zinzanni will leave you breathless with spectacles, chaos, and glitter bombs

The circus is back! Teatro Zinzanni returns to Chicago’s Cambria Hotel with its immersive production of Love, Chaos & Dinner featuring drag royalty BenDeLaCrem. This single-ring spectacle combines old-world glamour and theatrical thrills, serving up a sensory feast of cabaret, comedy, circus, and live music.

From the moment patrons step off the elevators and into the chandelier-draped Starlight Lounge, the ordinary world is left behind. Signature cocktails and pre-show mingling set the tone, preparing guests for a night where entertainment surrounds them, both onstage, at their tables, and in the aisles.

Inside the opulent Belgian Spiegeltent ZaZou, Dutch for "mirror tent," the fourteenth floor of Hotel Cambria is transformed into a traditional traveling tent. Featuring stained glass windows, intricate wood carvings, velvet and brocade trim, and beveled mirrors lining the walls, the venue brings old-world elegance and an intimate, 360-degree layout.

Once the show kicks off, the pace is relentless: aerialists swing and soar, contortionists bend impossibly, jugglers dazzle, comedians and cabaret artists charm and disrupt, and singers break into extraordinary solos. The show’s format is playful by design, and no two performances are identical. Audience members may find themselves reluctantly (or gleefully) pulled into the chaos.

 The current lineup features powerhouse vocalist LiV Warfield, fresh off her “Golden Buzzer” moment on AGT, alongside aerial straps and Capoeira artist Raphael Nepomuceno from Brazil. Hula hoop sensation Vita Radionova, an AGT quarter-finalist, stuns with her effortless grace and precision, transforming a childhood toy into a mesmerizing display of strength, balance, and show-stopping flair. The gravity-defying feats and mesmerizing precision blur the line between athleticism and artistry, leaving audiences breathless.

 Meanwhile, Duo Rose (Sylvia Friedman & Samuel Sion), a trapeze and contortion duet, returns after a widely praised stint in 2022, earning acclaim for their “fluid aerial ballet”.

 Adding an extra layer of glam, award-winning drag icon BenDeLaCreme stars in a limited summer residency from May 30 through July 19. Known for her record-setting runs on RuPaul’s Drag Race and All-Stars, as well as her celebrated solo works, DeLa returned to the city where she first found her stage voice during her studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Already a creative consultant on the current summer run, she infuses the show with her bright humor, fierce presence, and message-driven flair.

 The live band, led by jazz pianist and American music luminary Theodis Rodgers Jr., along with bassist Doug Bistrow and others, creates an ever-shifting musical landscape, from soulful jazz to cabaret swells.

Dinner is optional and integrated into the spectacle. A savory scone welcomes guests as the show begins, followed by a light salad during the first act. Entrées range from chicken to salmon filet, with vegetarian and upgrade options. A creamy dessert finale rounds out the meal. While some reviews note that the cuisine is enjoyable rather than exceptional, it complements the larger entertainment experience seamlessly.

Its blend of spectacle and intimacy is what makes Love, Chaos & Dinner distinct. The mirrored tent and cabaret-style seating immerse patrons in the action. The acts are often only feet away from diners. Most guests relish the unpredictability as the potential for aisle interaction is a possibility. For those seeking refuge, opting for outer-ring seating provides both comfort and a full view of the chaos.

Whether the aerial acrobatics draws you in, the razor-sharp wit of drag royalty BenDeLaCreme, or the sheer thrill of breathtaking talent, Love, Chaos & Dinner delivers. Teatro ZinZanni offers more than just a show. It crafts a world where elegance, absurdity, and artistry collide. Chicago’s most spectacular tent experience is far more than theater; it’s an event.