Teatro ZinZanni San Francisco : Cast Information

This Summer Teatro ZinZanni will sizzle with SULTRY SUMMER MAGIC, a spectacular show with a rotating line-up of song sirens, each taking their turn playing the role of our famed Madame ZinZanni. All five performances are sure to deliver exciting and thrilling evenings that will only happen in Teatro ZinZanni's magical 'jewel box' theater. This show series is not to be missed...all five of them! Check out all of the song sirens here

The Cast

Melba Moore

Originating the role of Dionne in the ground-breaking musical, Hair, actress/singer Melba Moore went on to appear as Lutiebelle in Purlie, which won her a Tony Award and launched her successful TV and recording career. In 1996 she took over the role of Fantine in the Broadway musical Les Misérables, becoming the first Black actress to play a leading role in that show. She appeared in her own one-woman show, Sweet Songs of the Soul, in which she sang a variety of styles to great critical acclaim. Other credits include "The Melba Moore / Clifton Davis Show," the mini-series "Ellis Island," R & B and pop hits "This Is It," and "You Stepped Into My Life," She was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1971 for 'Best New Artist,' and earned another nomination for her second album, "Peach Melba." In 1976, she earned a third Grammy nomination, this time for Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance - Female for the song "Lean On Me," and reached number one in the disco charts with her biggest UK hit called "This Is It." She recently released her first gospel recording, "I'm Still Here".

Melba Moore

Michael Davis

Compared to Will Rogers and W.C. Fields by The New Yorker, Michael Davis plays Tad Overdone in his latest incarnation of the beloved Chef in Teatro ZinZanni. A much–honored veteran of stage and television, Davis performed in the hit Broadway musical Sugar Babies with Mickey Rooney and Ann Miller and his critically acclaimed one–man shows include 6,000 Years of Juggling and Laughing Matters. His stage performances earned him a Theatre World Award for Best Actor in a Musical and a Drama Desk Award nomination. His TV appearances have included The Tonight Show, Saturday Night Live, Late Nite with David Letterman, The Best of Comic Relief, and 20/20. Davis honed his skills with the Ringling Brothers Circus. His comedic talents have been enjoyed by heads of state, U.S. Presidents and the Queen of England. Davis returns to Teatro ZinZanni after a successful and highly–acclaimed run in Berlin's "Palazzo".

Voronin

Known throughout the world as "The Maestro", Ukrainian illusionist Voronin has been described as the essence of Buster Keaton and Jacques Tati. After graduating from the Kiev Children's Studio and Kiev State Circus School, Voronin formed his own theater company, The Theatre of Caliostro. In 1988 he swept first place in magic competitions in Germany, Moscow and Austria. In 1999 he won the Siegfried and Roy prize for Master Magician. When not starring in Teatro ZinZanni, Voronin is one of the most sought–after stars of the European cabaret circuit. An original cast member, Voronin appeared in the very first production of Teatro ZinZanni in 1998.

Svetlana

Russian performance artist Svetlana blends modern dance, pantomime skills, magic and contortion to create her sensational new puppet act. Svetlana's puppet has been warmly received by the audience as both a highly skilled acrobatic performance and as a new comedic and romantic character. Trained in the ancient art of contortion from the age of nine, Svetlana studied at the Kiev State Circus School and has performed at some of Europe's most distinguished venues including the Wintergarten and the Apollo. She is an original Teatro ZinZanni cast member.

Peter Pitofsky

Uncanny timing, a malleable face, and a willingness to do anything for a laugh have all earned American clown Peter Pitofsky the title of "Human Cartoon." His years of street theater on the infamous Venice Beach walk, along with go–for–broke stand–up sets at L.A.'s Comedy Store, earned him opening slots with some of comedy's heavyweights, including Mel Brooks, Jay Leno, Penn & Teller and more. He has won the hearts of audiences in both the Seattle and San Francisco tents.

Duo Artemiev

High above the audience, Russian acrobatic team Duo Artemiev (Dimitri Artemiev and Elena Mozgalevskaya) performs a graceful and physically demanding tango on the trapeze. The pixyish pair began performing together in 1998, and have already graced the biggest halls in Monte Carlo, Berlin, Munich, Paris and their native Moscow with their gravity–defying act. Career highlights include a ground–breaking aerial performance in The Magic Flute in Berlin under the direction of the legendary Georg Tabori, an early performance at Madison Square Garden where they shared the stage with Liza Minelli, and an invitation to perform for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican in 1996.

The Randols

Massimo Medini (Italy) and Denise Garcia (Spain), are both members of distinguished, renowned European Circus dynasties, and have worked together as The Randols since 1996. They perform an extraordinary dynamic roller–blade act, combining high speed and charisma, aptly displaying their personal chemistry and amazing technique. Denise, also known as "Lady of the Rings," offers a sensual and passionate reinvention of the hula–hoop, turning it into a true 21st Century spectacle. The couple has appeared in major cirque and cabaret venues throughout Europe, most recently at the Palazzo, Mannheim in Germany and the Benidorm Palace in Spain. Their TV credits include Bravissimo (Switzerland), Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde (Paris), and a telecast from the London Palladium, among others. They make their sensational American debut in this Teatro ZinZanni production.