Showbiz Chicago Podcast With Teatro Zinzanni’s CUNIO

Showbiz Chicago Podcast With Teatro Zinzanni's CUNIO 1 Called the “spawn of Freddie Mercury & Janis Joplin” Cunio is thrilled to be back with ZinZanni following his 2019 debut in Seattle! Chicago audiences may recognize him from the Lyric Opera’s 2018 production of Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate) and the final year of Jersey Boys’ (Tommy DeVito) long run at the BOAT. Cunio gained national attention as the “electrifying wailer” in PBS retro-rock group Under the Streetlamp and his “gloriously gritty” solo album Back Alley Soul debuted at #6 on iTunes R&B/Soul charts. As a vocalist/MC for Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox he’s toured the world and his videos have amassed over 4 million views on YouTube. In NY he appeared on Broadway in Hairspray (Corny Collins) and is a featured vocalist/MC for Company XIV & Duane Park. Regionally he has starred at American Repertory Theater, Arkansas Rep, North Shore Music Theatre & The Kennedy Center. For more information visit michaelcunio.com

Cunio discusses returning to Chicago to join the company of Teatro ZinZanni which reopens on July 8th in the fabulous Spiegeltent ZaZou. We also delve into some of Cunio’s most famous roles including the acclaimed Chicago company of JERSEY, co-founding the group UNDER THE STREETLAMP and his recent critically hailed performance as Pilate in Lyric Opera’s JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR. For more information on Teatro ZinZanni visit zinzanni.com/Chicago or by calling (312) 488-0900. 

Called the “spawn of Freddie Mercury & Janis Joplin” Cunio is thrilled to be back with ZinZanni following his 2019 debut in Seattle! Chicago audiences may recognize him from the Lyric Opera’s 2018 production of Jesus Christ Superstar (Pilate) and the final year of Jersey Boys’ (Tommy DeVito) long run at the BOAT. Cunio gained national attention as the “electrifying wailer” in PBS retro-rock group Under the Streetlamp and his “gloriously gritty” solo album Back Alley Soul debuted at #6 on iTunes R&B/Soul charts. As a vocalist/MC for Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox he’s toured the world and his videos have amassed over 4 million views on YouTube. In NY he appeared on Broadway in Hairspray (Corny Collins) and is a featured vocalist/MC for Company XIV & Duane Park. Regionally he has starred at American Repertory Theater, Arkansas Rep, North Shore Music Theatre & The Kennedy Center. For more information visit michaelcunio.com

Teatro ZinZanni and Randolph Entertainment are ready to bring live comedy, music, and cirque roaring back to the Chicago Loop with fresh, astounding acts and a unique, immersive dining and live entertainment experience. Its brand-new show begins July 8 in the fabulous Spiegeltent ZaZou, located on the 14th floor in the Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop (32 W. Randolph). It has been a long year, and the time has come to once again fill the tent with light and laughter.

The new cast members joining Teatro ZinZanni’s unique family of awe-inspiring performers include the “spawn of Freddie Mercury & Janis Joplin” Cunio, singer Storm Marrero, aerialist Lea Hinz, Charlie Chaplin-inspired dancer Mickael Bajazet, trapeze all-stars Duo 19 and hula-hooping contortionist Vita Radionova. Teatro ZinZanni’s founder Norm Langill and his artistic team will direct the production.

Returning cast members include The Caesar Frank Ferrante and clown and co-director Joe De Paul.

An experience unlike any other, Teatro ZinZanni is a whirlwind of international cirque, comedy and cabaret served with a multi-course gourmet feast. Individual and group tickets are on sale now. Teatro ZinZanni is one of the first shows returning to Chicago’s Theatre District with performances scheduled to begin on July 8.

Teatro ZinZanni has been working behind the scenes to ensure that its patrons have a safe and magical experience. They have enhanced air handling and filtration and incorporated new sanitization technologies. A strong health protocol is in place mandating vaccination for all staff and performers. Teatro ZinZanni will conform to all State and Local requirements at the time of performance, including audience members wearing proper face coverings when not seated at their table. As rules and guidelines ease, Teatro ZinZanni will ease its requirements in a way that is safe and supported by science.

“The Goddess” Debbie Sharpe will continue to oversee the menu for Teatro ZinZanni performances as well as private events held in the space. The Spiegeltent ZaZou is available to host lunches Monday through Friday and dinner on “Dark Nights.” The one-of-a-kind venue can seat up to 330 guests and is a perfect setting for corporate meetings, social events, convention hospitalities, non-profit galas, and other unique celebrations. The spacious bar and lobby area can seat groups of up to 100 guests for an elegant dinner or accommodate up to 200 guests for a cocktail reception event.

ABOUT THE NEW SHOW

Of all the Spiegeltents in all the neighborhoods in all of Chicago, she walks into Caesar’s joint, where Marco Antonio and his kitchen crew offer up a nightly feast. After 2000 years stuck inside the sarcophagus, will Cleopatra and her entourage find a new empire, true love and the delicious meal that they seek? How does it feel to get out and about again? Guests are invited to join powerhouse vocalists Storm Marrero and Cunio, stunning aerial acts Lea Hinz and Duo 19, veteran comedians Frank Ferrante and Joe DePaul, and hot-shot acrobatic dancers Mickael and Vita to find out.

Chris Jones (Chicago Tribune) calls Frank Ferrante’s “Caesar” a performance “with so much wit and heart that you want him to sit down at your table and share your dinner,” and one of the Top 10 Performances of the year.

Described as the “Kit Kat Klub on acid,” Teatro ZinZanni brings to Chicago an international cast of premier entertainers for its anticipated engagement. Teatro ZinZanni’s founder Norm Langill will continue to direct the production. The menu will continue to be designed by Chicago’s own Debbie Sharpe – The Goddess of The Goddess and Grocer. The included four-course gourmet feast features multiple entrée selections, including vegan options. A fabulous à la carte cocktail menu, wine & beer list and special occasion treats round out the dining experience.

TICKET INFORMATION

Individual tickets, which include a four-course meal, are on sale now and range in price from $119 – $189. Front Row VIP tickets are available at a premium price. Limited à la carte “show-only” tickets will also be available for $69. Individual tickets will be available by visiting zinzanni.com/Chicago or by calling (312) 488-0900. Tickets are available now for groups of 10 or more by calling Broadway In Chicago Group Sales at (312) 977-1710 or emailing GroupSales@BroadwayInChicago.com.

ABOUT TEATRO ZINZANNI

Teatro ZinZanni was founded in 1998 when a team of creative artists and festival professionals led by Founder Norm Langill and inspired by the great cabarets of Europe, launched a wholly original form of entertainment combining the arts of cirque, comedy, cabaret, spectacle, and live music while serving up a multi-course feast. Since its inception, Teatro ZinZanni has filled its spiegeltents with artists at the highest level of their craft and eager to perform in an intimate space. Performers over the years have included internationally recognized names like Joan Baez and Ann Wilson. The Chicago engagement is presented in the Spiegeltent ZaZou on the 14th floor in the Cambria Hotel Chicago Loop located in the Theatre District. The previously forgotten space was discovered in 2017 during the renovation of the Hotel when dropped ceilings were removed revealing the original grand space within the 1926 historic building. For more information, visit ZinZanni.com