Performing Arts at a Discount

There are many opportunities to enjoy the artistic offerings that San Francisco has to offer. But how can anyone afford them on a student budget? Here is a list of the top five ways to save money on the arts. This list is not exhaustive, but it is a great place to start. Rather than include full details, only cursory descriptions, Web sites, phone numbers and names of programs of interest are included for the sake of brevity. Therefore, I was not able to include fees for special services in some programs (ticket exchange, telephone transactions, etc). So do your due diligence and read the information on the Web sites and/or brochures thoroughly or call the box office if you have questions. See you at the theater!

5. Group discounts – Berkeley Rep is one of the country’s best professional resident theatre companies. They have won many accolades in the past including a Tony for Best Regional Theatre, and their 40th birthday year should be no different. The Rep has a program called Entourage: Gather 15 of your closest friends to watch a show at $15/student (except Friday and Saturday). You can all go to the same performance or go to different performances if your schedules don’t mesh. It’s simple to set up, and the organizer has the opportunity to earn a free ticket. For more info, go to www.berkeleyrep.org/entourage/index.asp.

SHN, which is responsible for bringing Broadway hits to San Francisco, often offers group discounts through UCSF organizations. For instance, Arts and Events has $25 tickets for the Sept. 13 showing of Mamma Mia! Occasionally, the School of Pharmacy will organize deals as well. Their latest was an outing for Avenue Q, winner of the 2004 Tony for Best Musical. Keep your eyes peeled for PLUS announcements e-mailed weekly by Maureen Conway for opportunities throughout the year.

4. Tickets sold the day of the performance – Different organizations have different offerings, but what it all boils down to is discounted tickets (usually two per student ID) on a first come, first served basis depending on availability the day of that show. Usually, you have to call the day of the show (sometimes the day prior to) and then line up at a given time on the day of the show.

3. Select 3rd party discount ticket agents – Although you have to register for this site, you can buy tickets for half off (excluding a per ticket service charge on a sliding scale) for shows that week at www.goldstarevents.com. Not only do they have offerings from impressive institutions, they also have discounts on treatments from a variety of spas. If you frequent the site often enough, you’ll see free tickets offered once in a while.

TIX Bay Area (TBA) has a kiosk located in Union Square that sells half price tickets to shows on the day of the performance. The shows are posted at 11 a.m. at www.theatrebayarea.org/tix/tix_halfprice.jsp. Tickets go on sale at 11 a.m. and can be bought with cash only. It should also be noted that TBA will once again organize the local offering of Free Night of Theater, a national program put on by Theater Communications Group. Last year featured over 150 free performances in the Bay Area by over 100 companies. This year’s Free Night will fall around October 18. For more info, go to www.theatrebayarea.org/programs/FNOT.jsp.

2. Subscriptions – While all the previous options are based on availability (excluding #5), this is an especially important option if you want to check out some of the hotter shows with a limited number of performances. San Francisco Symphony concerts featuring Itzhak Perlman and almost any of the ones conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas are likely to sell out well in advance. But if you get a half-price student subscription, you can be guaranteed a seat for as little as $15 a performance. A pre-concert talk is included with your ticket. There are several 6-concert options plus an option to create your own series from a list of performances. For information, look for brochures on campus or call Ticket Services at (415)864-6000. Even if a series has already started, you can buy pro-rated subscriptions.

The San Francisco Opera’s hot tickets are Philip Glass’ world premiere of Appomattox, and Das Rheingold, the first in Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle. 3-, 5-, 7-, and 10-opera series are available, giving students and teachers half off the regular price. Brochures with application forms can be sent if you contact Kyle Minor at kminor@sfopera.com.

1. Culture Card – Since 2002, San Francisco Performances has been offering the Culture Card, a program in which students can view any number of pre-selected performances from the list found at www.performances.org/cclist.asp.

Past years have included the renowned Paul Taylor Dance Company and the Grammy-winning Kronos Quartet to name a few. This year’s highlights are sure to please: jazz vocalist Luciana Souza; legendary composer Philip Glass on piano with Wendy Sutter on cello; and international award-winning Chinese guitarist Xuefei Yang among others. This year, the Culture Card will sell for $25. Holders will have the option of bringing a guest for half-off the regular ticketed price. If you go to 20 or more shows, that’s close to a dollar to see shows with regular ticket prices of $40 and up. These aren’t nosebleed seats where you have to squint just to see the action. Just show up at the box office with a valid UCSF Student ID one hour before the performance starts to claim your ticket. Christine Lim, the Artistic Director of Education/Artistic Administration, will answer questions and sell Culture Cards at a date to be determined (mid to late September). Another way to purchase a Culture Card is by calling (415)398-6449 or downloading the order form from www.performances.org/sfpculturecard.asp.

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/articles/2007/Aug/30/culturepearls.html

Restaurant Review: Underdog- The Organic Sausage Joint

While my wife Lucky was pregnant, she didn’t have any major cravings. However, there were certain foods she avoided because of the possible effects that it could have on the developing fetus. Sushi was taboo. Coffee was crossed off the list. Hot dogs were a no-no. It seemed like all the good stuff was off limits. So when our baby was finally born, Lucky hit up all her favorite places. There was only one problem — we didn’t really have a favorite hot dog place. That came to an end when we discovered Underdog, a little hot dog shop on Irving Street that is great for take out, though they do have a few seats indoors.

Billed as an organic sausage joint, I was a bit hesitant about what their offerings would taste like. Would this be just as unsatisfying as sugar-free candy, fat-free bacon or alcohol-free beer? I mean, come on, isn’t it usually the bad stuff that makes something taste so delicious? But the menu’s interesting assortment of sausages, coupled with our curiosity as to what organic hot dogs tasted like, won out. The menu offers organic meat sausages as well as a smaller assortment of vegetarian sausages. There is a mix of traditional favorites: Bratwurst, a German pork sausage; their eponymous Underdog, a simple grass-fed beef hotdog; and Chicken-Apple, a chicken sausage made slightly sweet by the addition of apple pieces. There are also a handful of vegetarian sausages made from tofu, including a Veggie Beer Bratwurst made with Full Sail Amber Ale; and veggie versions of a classic hot dog, an Italian, and a Kielbasa.

Lucky and I opted for a few of the less conventional ones. Lucky’s first choice was the Roasted Garlic and Herb. Because the garlic was roasted, it was potent but not overpowering, giving just the right kick to the pork sausage. Her second dog was a Spinach-Feta, a chicken and turkey sausage made with fresh spinach and feta cheese. Feta is typically a strong cheese whose flavor has a tendency to overpower. But here the flavor and texture of the spinach was distinct while the feta cheese was surprisingly muted. I went with a few choices with bolder tastes. I decided on the Andouille, a spicy chicken and turkey sausage seasoned with Cajun spices. I also tried the Sweet Italian, a zesty Italian sausage brimming with delicious spices like fennel and basil. We also shared a basket of Tater-Tots, a delicious baked treat made from organic Russet potatoes. Don’t forget the tater-tots. That would be like getting a burger without fries!

But what does a claim of being organic mean? I sat down with Max Leung, co-owner with Rizza Punvalan, to ask him what it meant for their food to be organic. All animals used in the sausages are from small family-run certified organic farms which never feed their animals antibiotics or hormones. All herbs and seasonings used in the sausages are organic. And of course, the buns, either wheat or white, are organic as well. In addition to the sausages, none of the restaurant’s products contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms), nitrates, or any artificial preservatives, sweeteners, or flavors.

I asked him how can the consumer be assured that the pieces of meat used are quality cuts and not left-over scraps. His response was that the sausages came from reputable sources that use quality meat. He could not guarantee that each sausage was from USDA prime pieces, but was not worried about the quality coming from these conscientious farms. He then brought up a good point: “I’m Asian, and in our culture we eat pretty much all parts of the animal. Besides, I feel more comfortable eating any part of an organically raised animal than I would be about eating those other hot dogs with all those fillers, chemicals, and preservatives, you know what I’m saying?”

The proof is in the dog. You can taste the difference between these sausages and “the rest.” These are firm, somewhat dense sausages with a minimal amount of grease, unlike the gritty or rubbery texture of those made with fillers. You can actually tell you’re eating meat. The flavor of the meat is hearty and the spices used are robust. They were so delicious on their own that I was hesitant to top them with the organic condiments available — stoneground mustard, horseradish mustard, relish, sauerkraut, ketchup and habañero hot sauce.

We then talked about the price of eating organic. $3.89 for a hot dog may not seem cheap, but he raised another important point: Some people pay big dollars for fancy cars and stylish clothes. But what’s more important than eating healthy foods? Sure organics are more expensive, but it’s worth it to put in the best prepared foods into your body. Isn’t your health more important than the material things in life? Leung practices what he preaches, apparent in his modest attire — wearing old converse shoes, sweat pants and a simple T-shirt.

This way of eating is in tune with the restaurant’s aim to make the least negative impact on the planet possible. All packaging, supplies and disposable wares are made from recycled paper and/or biodegradable products made from renewable and sustainable resources, according to the signs on the wall. Very little garbage is produced, as most of the products are compostable or recyclable.

A green restaurant serving organic food at reasonable prices, it really is a perfect mix. On top of that, Punvalan and Leung are extremely friendly people who will take time to chat with you while between bites of hot dogs and tater tots. I’ll definitely be back to try their other hot dogs as well as their other organic offerings.

Underdog- The Organic Sausage Joint
1634 Irving St.
415- 665-8881
Open 7 days a week, 11:30a to 9p

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2007/05/31/underdog.html

Rediscovering Discovery Kingdom

While my wife Lucky was interning out in Vallejo a couple summers ago, she would pass by Six Flags Marine World Africa USA on her commute to work. Being a fan of amusement parks, she had wanted to check it out but never had the time. When we finally made some time to go, we found out that it was no longer there — sort of. After some re-organization, the addition of a few shows, and a renewed focus, it was re-born February 24 as Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (DK).

Because DK is part amusement park, part zoo, it offers something for family members of all ages. This dual identity also allows DK to educate its guests as well as entertain them. Although the park is now split into three kingdoms — Land, Sea and Sky — the kingdoms idea is somewhat cosmetic, as attractions of one kingdom can be found in different far-flung areas of the huge park. Instead, I would classify the attractions into three categories: thrill rides, animal exhibits, animal-themed shows.

No new roller coasters have been added, but DK still sports the best rides in Northern California. Kong, the ten-story suspended ride complete with multiple loops, and Medusa, billed as the longest, fastest, tallest and most technologically advanced roller coaster in Northern California, will appeal to the thrill-seekers. If you've been to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, these monsters are of the same ilk. Unfortunately Lucky couldn't experience the stomach-churning rides, but I did. Let's just say the adrenaline was rushing after those two.

Not all the rides are as wild, though. We went with a family with kids; 12-year-old Randy had a blast on the twisting mini-roller coaster Cobra and the dizzying Tazmanian Devil ride that rotates as it swings back and forth on a pendulum. 10-year old Jasmine, however, opted for the attractions that did not leave the ground. The Wii experience, which exhibits several of the games available for the Wii game platform, caught her attention. The 4-D Wilderness Adventure, a movie/motion simulator in which the audience "becomes" different animals — alternately soaring through the air, climbing trees, and roaming the grasslands — was another attraction to her liking.

Though the park's thematic presentation is not its strong suit, it does make up for it by the sheer number of attractions offered, including a number of animal shows. New to the park is The Spirit of Shouka, a show highlighting their killer whale. Its purpose is two-fold: to entertain and to educate. Unfortunately, because of a faulty microphone, we could not hear what the emcee was saying. One would have thought the equipment would be working considering it was a new show. Still, watching Shouka leap out of the water to get air was impressive when you take into account how large the animal is. But it was rather slow in comparison to the dolphin show Merlin's Island Party. The trainers and the animals seemed to be having so much fun, it was infectious. There were several other shows, one including tigers, another including birds, and yet another featuring sea lions. But because they only have two performances per day for each show, it's impossible to see them all unless you decided to forego the roller coasters and other attractions.

Throughout the park are areas where you can observe and/or have close encounters with a variety of animals. There are 15 "Discovery" areas that include walruses, cougars, lions and birds. Some of them are just holding areas, like Alligator Isle, where you view them from a safe distance. Others bring you closer to the action. Lorikeet Aviary allows you to walk through the area as birds fly around you. Shark Experience is a walk-through tunnel aquarium featuring guess what? Yup, sharks! For those willing to pony-up the extra $19.99, a Seafari Pass can be purchased, giving you an opportunity to feed dolphins, giraffes, and sea lions.

The one area where DK needs oiling is its customer service. Getting lunch at the park was an ordeal that lasted over 30 minutes, longer than a wait for any of the rides. Seeing how ill prepared the servers were, Jasmine astutely remarked that it seemed as though they just hired anyone off the streets. Randy added that it would have been faster had we made the food and served ourselves. When we finally got our food, we were sorely disappointed. For such an expensive meal, one would have expected the cheese on the pizza to at least have been melted; or for there to have been some dipping sauces that went along with the chicken nuggets.

In spite of the terrible food service, DK was enjoyable for the whole family. If you plan on going to DK, go before it gets too hot in the summer and the lines get crazy. Also, consider purchasing a season pass, which is currently priced at $69.99. Considering that a day pass is $49.99 and that it is nearly impossible to see the whole park in one day, especially since the hours of operation are 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on its longest day (even in the summer), this option offers the best bang for your buck.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
1001 Fairgrounds Dr.
Vallejo, CA 94589
General Admission: $49.99 (buy online for $39.99 at www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom)
Children under 48Ó: $29.99

Restaurant Review: farmerbrown- Southern Comfort Food

farmerbrown is somewhat of a dichotomous restaurant in several senses. One simple example is the name. One might expect a countryside setting with a rustic theme consistent with cows, acres of grassland and tractors. Instead what you get is a chic restaurant far from the countryside in the Tenderloin district. Something of an oasis in a dirty concrete desert, its fashionable interior consists of walls covered in corrugated tin and copper tables.

Another contrast is its location. The Tenderloin is not exactly known for having wealthy locals. Yet the prices of the entrees easily range from $15 to $25. I almost felt guilty eating here when dozens of people in and around the place were begging for spare change.

But despite the disparity, there is a decent reason for the incongruity. According to chef-owner Jay Foster, farmerbrown supports local African-American farmers through an organization called Mo’ Better Food. As a result, much of meat and produce used is organic, biodynamic and sustainably raised foods whenever possible.

farmerbrown focuses on southern comfort foods like chicken and dumplings ($14.50), crispy cornmeal catfish ($16.50) and Po’ Boys (price varies- the day we went it was $16.50) with sides such as sautéed collards, candied yams and angel biscuits. Food for the masses, these offerings are something that any Joe-off-the-street would enjoy. Without much time needed to decide, my wife Lucky chose the Fulton Valley Fried Chicken ($16.50) and I went with the Gumbo ($11). Within minutes, we were served four complimentary bite-sized jalapeno muffins with sweet butter. These tasty little morsels had a hint of spiciness without overpowering the inherent sweetness. Slathered with butter, we polished them off without delay. Fortunately the service was quick and our meals quickly followed. Perhaps this was because we ate dinner at 5:30, before the crowds began to really build.

Lucky’s plate had three pieces of chicken — a breast, a wing and a thigh — with a side of macaroni and cheese and southern greens. The fried chicken was perhaps the best we have had in San Francisco. A paper thin coating of batter gave the pieces a delicious crunch without being overly heavy or greasy; the meat underneath, by contrast, was tender and juicy. When dipped in the tangy Louisiana style homemade hot sauce at the table, it was what most fried chicken aspired to be. The mac and cheese was somewhat different from most — not only was the macaroni bathed in a cheese sauce, it was also topped with shredded Tillamook cheese which gave it an added sharpness. With so many strong flavors on the plate, the subtle southern greens were a welcome side dish.

My gumbo, on the other hand, was quite decent, but it did not reach the heights of the fried chicken. Larger and more expensive than an appetizer but smaller and less expensive than an entrée, it fell into a grey zone that would have left me hungry had I not devoured half of Lucky’s plate. The gumbo was generously dotted with Andouille sausage and chicken, but halfway through I began to get tired of it as the depth of flavors were not as complex or interesting as I would have expected. I tried to rescue it with a little of the homemade hot sauce. In the end, I think part of my disinterest was a result of the fried chicken’s overshadowing the gumbo.

farmerbrown is a restaurant worth a repeat visit, if not for another serving of fried chicken, then perhaps to sample some of the other dishes they offer. They also have an extensive bar offering interesting cocktails like mango margarita, red pear sidecar (pear infused brandy, triple sec and lemon juice) and ginger rum punch. While the prices are more expensive than similar fare at other restaurants, I’m comforted by the idea that local farmers do benefit.

farmerbrown
25 Mason St. @ Market
Monday through Sunday 5pm to 12am
(415) 409-FARM
www.farmerbrownsf.com

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2007/04/12/farmerbrown.html

Pink Martini: Around the World in 45 Minutes

Pack your bags and get ready for a musical journey that will bring you to the four corners of the earth. Hey Eugene! is the 3^rd and latest album by the 12-membered “little orchestra” hailing from Portland, Oregon. Like their previous releases Sympathique and Hang on Little Tomato, Hey Eugene! is a multilingual album that features songs that transcend time and musical styles.

For the uninitiated, Pink Martini’s music is a melodic melting pot. Their album can sometimes be found in the Rock/Pop music section though it reached number 2 on Billboard’s top Jazz albums. Yet iTunes automatically labels the songs under the genre of Easy Listening. To make classification even more difficult, many of the songs are sung in languages other than English. Assembled by classically trained pianist Thomas Lauderdale and fronted by lead vocalist China Forbes, the ensemble is heavy on the strings (violins, cellos, guitar, bass and harp), but is balanced by percussion (congas, drums, and cavanquinho), and brass (trumpet and trombone). On the same album, one can find a rumba fit for a Cuban dance party followed by a track originally from a Japanese movie soundtrack. The fact that they have a cult following around the world is quite impressive. But what makes it even more amazing is that they have become this popular without the help of a big record label. You’ve probably never heard them on the radio and still they’ve gone platinum in their past two outings.

The album starts out with Everywhere, a tune reminiscent of the grand, dreamy love songs sung by the likes of Doris Day and Dinah Shore. An original by Lauderdale and Forbes, it sets the tone for the rest of the album: classy, grand, and fondly nostalgic. Yet the song is in the minority as it is one of the few sung in English. From here, the musical journey heads to South America with Tempo Perdido, a sultry Brazilian samba by legend Ataulfo Alves. Pink Martini is accompanied by the gospel choir of Jefferson High, a local Portland high school. How cool must it be for those choir members to be on a CD? We then make a side trip to Peru with Mar Desconocido, a piece written by Peruvian percussion member Martin Zarzar which integrates an excerpt of Chopin’s Waltz in C#-minor without blinking an eye.

The journey then takes us to Japan with Taya Tan, With minimal accompaniment, it manages to be soothing and pleasing with a haunting air of mystery. Our international travels take us to Egypt with an Arabic- language song Bukra Wba’ Do. Somehow, Pink Martini is able to infuse a bit of Broadway show tune into it, making it a memorable and catchy little piece. Heading north to Europe, Pink Martini hits its stride with a few French language songs- Ojala and Syracuse. The former has an airy playful feel to it, which is contrary to the melancholic lyrics of loss and regret. Then there is Dosvedanya Mio Bambino, a quirky piece that integrates Russian beats with Italian influences.

Though the whole album is thoroughly pleasing, peppered throughout are pieces that are exceptional. One of my favorites is Canto e Dance, a melodic and flowing piece done in Portuguese. The vocals of China Forbes and Timothy Mishimoto melt into the mellifluous guitar work of Phil Baker, who also wrote the song. What sets it apart from the other songs is its subdued, quiet gentleness. Another standout track is the title song Hey Eugene! The inspiration for the song come from a real life experience in which Forbes danced and made out with a guy named Eugene at a party in New York. He said he would call her the next day and when she never heard from him again, she wrote a song about it. The result is a comical ditty addressed to Eugene.

Hey Eugene! is the perfect anytime album, whether you just want some background music or something to sing along to (the lyrics in foreign languages are included in the liner notes, along with English translations). If you’re looking for an album with a wide variety of musical styles, all done well, this one is definitely a trip you won’t want to pass up.

Restaurant Review: La Playa Taqueria- In Search of Fish Tacos

Every summer, the school load diminishes and my idle brain begins to reminisce about the ‘golden days’ when I lived in San Diego. Mostly, I think about the gorgeous weather and Baja-style fish tacos. Those crunchy golden fried fillets of white fish crowned with red cabbage and wrapped in a soft corn tortilla. Unfortunately, they are as rare here in San Francisco as the sun on a summer day in the Sunset. Everyone knows that if you want a butt-kickin’ burrito, you truck on over to the Mission. But I have yet to find a decent fish taco in the City. There’s always the drive down to the Half Moon Bay, where I had the closest thing to a San Diego flashback at Flying Fish Grill. But it just doesn’t seem a reasonable option even though I still say those are the best fish tacos in Northern California. It seemed logical at the time (but now seems kinda silly) that fish tacos and other seafood related delectables should be found near the beach, right? Sure enough, I stumbled upon La Playa Taqueria in the Outer Sunset. Would this be the answer to my prayers or a disappointment?

The place was hopping with people as I waited in line to place my order. To my delight, many of the people sitting at the small two-person tables were feasting on fish tacos. From the cursory glances I stole, the tacos looked like the real deal. I scanned the menu and not only did they offer Baja-style fish tacos, but mahi-mahi tacos as well. But I was on a mission and I needed to quell this annual jonesing for Baja style fish tacos. As I approached the register, an impatient man took my order. I ordered the tacos and my wife Lucky ordered a wet super burrito filled with chicken. And just to add a few points to our cholesterol count, we ordered the super nachos.

As we waited for our order, I watched the workers prepare the food. I was particularly impressed with the fact that the tortilla chips were hand made and fried on the spot so they would be hot and fresh. I wasn’t so impressed with the fact that the guy that took my money was using his bare hands to put the chips into the deep fryer. My thoughts took me back to last year’s Therapeutics class as I tried to remember what drugs to take for Hepatitis A. As my mind drew a blank, I consoled myself by thinking, “Hey, it’s going in the deep fryer. Any virus that can survive heat like, I’d be proud to call my own.” It also didn’t quite impress me to see them using a microwave on our order. Sigh… at least they hadn’t screwed up the fish tacos yet.

For some reason, call it false hope, I still expected the Baja style fish tacos ($4.95) to be decent. Well, they were just that- decent. Although the fish was fried to a perfect golden brown and the batter used was light enough to keep it crunchy yet well balanced by the cabbage and tortilla, there was still something missing. It didn’t have the delicious taste I was used to. Well, it didn’t have much taste at all. The special Pancho sauce- something between thousand island and tartar sauce, only thinner- did make it better. But it couldn’t fill the void. Overall, it was a taco I might consider to quell the pangs of addiction in the future, but only if I am in dire straits.

Lucky’s Wet Super burrito was only slightly better. It was one of those gigantic more-than-a-pound two-hander burritos. For $4.25, you get a “Regular” with your choice of meat, rice, beans, and fresh salsa. An extra $1 makes it “Super,” adding cheese, guacamole and sour cream. Add another $1 and it’s majade or wet, which means it’s covered with sauce and melted cheese. Unfortunately the bland red sauce poured over her burrito made it a bit soggy but didn’t add any flavor. The extra $1 for the “Super” is worth it because they are quite generous with the ingredients. The chicken was quite tender and surprisingly flavorful contrasting the rest of the burrito. In comparison to other burritos, I would say it falls short of La Fonda’s burritos, but is superior to Gordo Taqueria’s.

Call me an optimist, but after two disappointments, I was hoping that the Supreme Nachos ($4.25) would at least save the day. The result, though, was somewhat mixed. I would have given it a thumbs up except for the fact that some of the chips were crispy and some were chewy and underdone. Although they fry up the chips fresh, their chips are not necessarily cooked uniformly. One batch may be undercooked while another overcooked, depending on if they are paying attention to how long it’s in the fryer. I assume they are a victim of their own success- since the cashier does double duty, both taking orders and frying the chips, something’s gotta give when you have a steady stream of customers.

And so, my quest for Baja-style fish tacos continues. As for La Playa Taqueria, there are better options available, though it is conveniently located near the beach. At the very least, the service is quick and the food is inexpensive. But for above average Mexican food, you would do best to look elsewhere.

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2007/07/18/laplayataqueria.html

Dinner Theatre Review: Teatro ZinZanni- Showing Off at Zany ZinZanni

Chimeric, as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary, means "created by, or as if by, a wildly fanciful imagination." I can find no adjective more perfectly befitting of Teatro ZinZanni, a surreal world of vaudeville, French cabaret, acrobatics and comedy underneath a huge antique Belgian spiegeltent (of which there are only eight left in the world) decorated to look like a huge carousel. Boasting an impressive cast of stars renowned in their respective fields, Teatro ZinZanni (TZ) is great for a special occasion or just for a truly unique experience.

Located on the Embarcadero at Pier 29, TZ has been wowing audiences for more than six years. The cast changes every three to four months, allowing new talent to add differing elements to the show. Nevertheless, each group has consisted of an amazing wealth of talent. Looking at this season's assembly, it seems it would be hard to beat in turns of ability and accomplishment, though.

The characters are a motley crew of restaurant workers, including a bumbling waiter, a chef with a flamboyant secret, a womanizing maitre d', a ditzy aspiring dishwasher and a "professional entertainer" who seems to be no more than a professional annoyance.

As the night progresses, their amazing talents unfold: each of the performers is impressive, whether they are performing high above the crowd on trapeze; or contorting and balancing on one hand; or foot-juggling beds, wheels and people. The gathering of talented performers includes a medal winning gymnast, a soprano from San Francisco Opera's Adler Fellowship, performers who have been a part of Cirque du Soleil and Tony award winner Lillian Montevecchi as Madame ZinZanni, a charismatic diva with panache and style. And yet, Cookie, the hilarious chef played Kevin Kent, steals the show. Kent's amazing improvisational ability and rapport with the audience make him a crowd favorite. As he pulls participants from the audience, it seems he is having as much fun being entertained as he is entertaining. Unfortunately, Kent will only be around for the rest of this season, but he will undoubtedly return for future seasons. All through the night, a five-piece band provides live music to accent the shenanigans that literally may occur around you.

What makes chimeric the perfect adjective is the fact that it is also defined as "of, related to, or being a chimera, a substance created from two different species." The two species involved here are the aforementioned show and the gourmet five-course meal that accompanies the show. When you first enter the tent and are seated at your table, which may or may not be shared with another party, a plate of appetizers including smoked salmon mousse, herb crostini and various vegetables is there to greet you. As the show rolls on, the food comes out at a constant pace. A carrot soup and a Caesar salad are served by dancing waitresses before the main entrée is brought out. Choices include orange braised beef short ribs with garlic mashed potatoes, grilled chicken breast with a mustard tarragon sauce, as well as swiss chard and goat cheese ravioli for vegetarians and Himalayan red rice paupiettes with tomato ginger coulis for vegans. For dessert, double lemon cheesecake with fresh strawberries is served. While the meal was filling, both my wife Lucky and I felt that the $110 ticket ($135 on Fridays and Saturdays) was a reflection of the performance rather than the meal. Despite an average meal, the night was exceedingly enjoyable.

The tent comes to life Wednesday through Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m. Reservations are taken up to six weeks in advance and are advised for weekend shows. In addition to the ticket, there is a dining room service charge of $10 per person charge and drinks are not included.

Teatro ZinZanni: Love, Chaos And Dinner
Pier 29 on the Embarcadero
438-2668
www.zinzanni.org

Originally published: http://www.ucsf.edu/synapse/content/2006/05/25/zin.html