New York City’s Cabaret Crown Jewel, Grammy Winner Lady Rizo Makes Teatro ZinZanni Debut in Seattle
SEATTLE, WA (PRWEB) January 15, 2015 -- The cast of Seattle’s internationally recognized Teatro ZinZanni – a whirlwind show of international cirque, comedy and cabaret served up with a scrumptious multi-course feast and elegant libations inside an authentic, antique speigeltent – has just been announced! The Hot Spot is the latest concoction from ZinZanni and it features Northwest-native and international cabaret star Lady Rizo in her Teatro ZinZanni debut alongside actor and improv mastermind Frank Ferrante, acclaimed aerialist and choreographer to the stars Dreya Weber, vaudevillian Wayne Doba, acrobat-dancer Andrea Conway Doba, funny-man Joel Salom, and show-stoppers, Vertical Tango with co-direction by Teatro ZinZanni founder Norm Langill, long-time performer and exquisite improvisational artist Kevin Kent, and the return of director/choreographer Tobias Larsson.
Hailing from Portland, Oregon, “slapstick chanteuse” (Village Voice) Lady Rizo has come a long way since her graduation from Seattle’s Cornish College of the Arts. These days, Lady Rizo is New York City’s cabaret crown-jewel - The New York Times declares her “sensational!” She is a Grammy winner for her 2010 collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma on the holiday album “Songs of Joy and Peace,” the winner of the inaugural Time Out London and Soho Theatre Award, a 2013 London Cabaret Award-winner, and she was received with critical raves three years in a row at the Assembly Festival in Edinburgh. A recipient of the New York Foundation for the Arts fellowship, her original pieces have shown at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theatre in New York (where she was a resident artist for three years), Leister Square Theatre in London, and the Sydney Festival (nominee for a 2013 Helpmann award).
Formidable talent Dreya Weber also stars in The Hot Spot. Celebrated for her work with pop-sensation Pink conceiving and choreographing her buzz-worthy aerial performances at the 2010 and 2014 Grammy Award ceremonies, contributing aerial support to the recent “The Truth About Love“ tour as well as choreographing the artist’s new Cover Girl commercials, Weber is also an acclaimed actress, musician and producer. Known around the world for her work with fitness giant P90X and P90X X-Box workouts, Dreya has choreographic credits with some of the biggest names in pop music including Michael Jackson, Cher, Madonna, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and others.
Joining the ranks of these powerhouse women is Frank Ferrante, an actor and director whose acting and improvisation has been dubbed “masterful” by the Chicago Tribune and “artful” by The New York Times. Frank originated the title role in Groucho: A Life in Revue written by Groucho’s son Arthur in New York, London and on PBS. He earned New York’s Theatre World Award, a NY Outer Critics Circle and London’s Laurence Olivier nomination for ‘Comedy Performance of the Year.’ A mainstay of the Seattle theatre community, Ferrante’s well-loved Caesar character has played more than 1200 performances and remains one of the most popular characters in the tent’s history.
The buck doesn’t stop with the talent on stage, Teatro ZinZanni bleeds mega talent behind the scenes as well. Swedish born Tobias Larsson is only one example, and he has returned to the tent to co-direct and choreograph The Hot Spot. An actor, singer, dancer, circus and cabaret performer, choreographer and director, Larsson made his international debut at Lido de Paris and toured Europe with several shows including performances with Tina Turner and Olivia Newton-John. He counts among his conquests (and favorite performances) Moulin Rouge in Paris, Sweet Charity, West Side Story, Three Penny Opera, and the lead in Sondheim's Company. Most recently he co-directed Hail Caesar: Forbidden Oasis at Teatro ZinZanni in 2013, and since his work was last seen at the tent, he has been reunited with the legendary Tommy Tune in New York City where they’re currently developing a new production for Broadway.
For complete casting details, please visit us here.
The live band for The Hot Spot includes Hans Teuber (musical director, woodwinds, bass, and everything else); Jose Martinez (drums); Steve Moore (trombone, keyboards); Tom Kellock (piano); David Peterson (guitar).
The Hot Spot plays February 5-7 (press night February 19) at Teatro ZinZanni (222 Mercer Street, Seattle, WA 98101). Ticket prices start at $99 and can be purchased online at ZinZanni.com/Seattle, by phone (206) 802-0015, or in-person at the Teatro ZinZanni Box Office (open Tuesday-Sunday, Noon-7:00 p.m.).
Michelle Sanders Leyva, Michelle Sanders Communications, http://www.michellesanderspr.com, +1 206-595-1151, [email protected]
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