Upcoming Cast
Frank Ferrante as Chef Caesar
Our irrepressible Chef Caesar, Frank Ferrante, is an actor and director described by The New York Times as "the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx's material." Frank originated the title role in Groucho: A Life in Revue written by Groucho’s son Arthur in New York, London and on PBS television. He earned New York’s Theatre World Award, a NY Outer Critics Circle nomination and London’s Laurence Olivier nomination for 'Comedy Performance of the Year.' The Chicago Tribune deemed his improv 'masterful' and The New York Times called him 'artful.' He has been profiled on The Today Show, Regis, CNN, Entertainment Tonight, the BBC and recently was a question on TV's Jeopardy. In 1995, he directed and developed the premiere of the Pulitzer finalist Old Wicked Songs. Frank directs and acts throughout the world and has been a regular at Teatro ZinZanni since 2001.
Frank Ferrante
as Chef Caesar
Our irrepressible Chef Caesar, Frank Ferrante, is an actor and director described by The New York Times as "the greatest living interpreter of Groucho Marx's material." Frank originated the title role in Groucho: A Life in Revue written by Groucho’s son Arthur in New York, London and on PBS television. He earned New York’s Theatre World Award, a NY Outer Critics Circle nomination and London’s Laurence Olivier nomination for 'Comedy Performance of the Year.' The Chicago Tribune deemed his improv 'masterful' and The New York Times called him 'artful.' He has been profiled on The Today Show, Regis, CNN, Entertainment Tonight, the BBC and recently was a question on TV's Jeopardy. In 1995, he directed and developed the premiere of the Pulitzer finalist Old Wicked Songs. Frank directs and acts throughout the world and has been a regular at Teatro ZinZanni since 2001.
Debbie de Coudreaux
as Cleo, Queen of the Nile
Statuesque and sophisticated, with a great sense of humor, Bay Area native Debbie de Coudreaux makes a welcome return to the ZinZanni tent. She is the only American other than Josephine Baker to have starred at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, and her eight-year run as “vedette” in the show Formidable built around her talent, is the longest, surpassing both Baker and the legendary French star Mistenguett! She went on to play leading roles in Tommy Tune’s Grand Hotel on Broadway and London’s West End, and Hal Prince’s Show Boat on Broadway. Songs from her CD “Have a Little Paris on Me” have been heard at leading cabaret rooms in New York, and she was a sensation at the Empire Plush Room in San Francisco. She has also appeared with the Oakland East Bay Symphony.
Elena Borodina
Sensual and strong, artful and athletic, Russian hand-balancer Elena Borodina returns for another welcome engagement in the ZinZanni tent. Elena’s world-famous handstand routine is no mere feat of gymnastic expertise; it is a work of art, a moving sculpture in which the human body is transformed by a flowing transparent tissue. Elena has presented her fascinating and beguiling performance at legendary cirque d'Hiver in Paris, Wintergarten in Berlin,Apollo in Dusseldorf, Da Capo circus-variety in Darmstadt, Circus Roncalli project "Circus meets classical music" with the symphony orchestra in Dortmund, Circus Princessan Festival in Stockholm, and Teatro ZinZanni: Dinner & Dreams in Seattle.
Duo Manducas
This hilarious Portuguese duo returns to San Francisco with an act that is so humorous you’ll forget it includes some of the most technically challenging of all acrobatic feats. This world-renowned pair has performed for superstars and royalty including Prince Albert of Monaco, and has circled the globe as an audience favorite in venues including the Circus Roncalli in Germany, Cirque du Soleil in the US and Canada, the Winter garten in Berlin and the famed Moulin Rouge in Paris. Taking the stage as bumbling clowns, they transform into acrobatic strongmen, performing handstands and balancing tricks that will take your breath away.
Svetlana Nikitenko
as The Diva
Ukrainian-born American soprano, a popular favorite in the ZinZanni tent returns to perform the role of “The Diva.” Ms. Nikitenko has performed to popular acclaim in important opera houses such as San Francisco Opera, Mariinsky (Kirov Opera) Theater, St. Petersburg, Russia. Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, Paris, France, Teatro Massimo, Palermo, Italy, Teatro Regio di Parma, Italy, Greek National Opera, Athens and Opera San Jose. Ms. Nikitenko was a Metropolitan Opera National Council Regional Finalist, received an Encouragement Award given by the Licia Albanese Puccini International Voice Competition, and is a graduate of the San Francisco Opera's prestigious Merola Opera Program.
Andrew Adams & Erika Gilfether
Fusing the daring strength of aerial acrobatics with the passionate sensuality of dance, Andrew Adams and Erika Gilfether have been taking their love story to the air since 1999 when they first performed together with The Midnight Circus in Chicago. Andrew, a graduate of the theatre program at Bates College, trained with Vermont's Circus Smirkus touring New England for seven summers. Erika graduated from N.Y.U.'S Tisch School of the Arts with a degree in dance and performed professionally with dance companies in New York and Chicago. Internationally they have performed at the Moers Jazz Festival in Germany, Gourmet Circus with David Dimitri in Rapperswill, Switzerland and the Austrian National Circus in Salzburg, Austria. Other highlights include the 2007 season of Circus Flora, Wagner's Ring Cycle with The Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Pendulum Aerial Dance Theater in Portland, Oregon. They return to Teatro Zinzanni in San Francisco for the third time.
Les Petits Frères
Les Petits Frères (Gregory Marquet, Mickael Bajazet, Domitil Aillot) formed in 1993 at the internationally acclaimed Annie Fratellini Circus School in Paris where they were trained by master teachers Davis Bogino and Nelly Rachman in the fine arts of the circus. The European press called them the “Floating Act” because of their unique ability to defy gravity with graceful aerial acrobatics. The wit and charm of their unforgettable act has been captivating audiences around the world for many years. In 1999 they toured the U. S. with Barnum’s Kaleidoscape. In recent years they have performed at some of the best venues in the world including Cirque D’Hiver Bouglione in Paris and Apollo Variété in Düsseldorf, Tiger palast in Frankfurt, Winter garten in Berlin, and Teatro ZinZanni in Seattle and San Francisco.
Vita Radionova
The sensational Ukrainian contortionist Vita Radionova made her North American debut in the Seattle edition of Teatro ZinZanni. She graduated from the legendary Circus School of Kiev in 1999, and since then has performed her elegant and sensual act at some of the finest venues in Europe, including the Apollo in Düsseldorf, Palazzo in Munich and Frankfurt, and with Circus Salto Natale in Zurich. In 2003, Vita was a featured performer in the Tiger Lilies circus tour of Finland, France, England, Germany and Greece.
