I know that at one performance of "An Iliad" by Denis O'Hare a women in the audience was so moved and/or disturbed by the performance that she interrupted it. Mr. O'Hare (who was also one of the playwrights) briefly broke character and spoke directly to the women. She left and the show continued.

Mike 'disgruntled amazon worker' Daisy?

I remember that Nate Quiroga (aka Buffalo Madonna of Mad Rad) got yelled at by an old woman at a poetry reading. Maybe that's what you're thinking of?

For a special occasion, it can be great fun. And if you consider the meal AND the show, it's not quite as expensive, although it's still a fair chunk of change. I've been twice (once 3 years ago for a friend's birthday, and then I won a pair of tickets (woohoo!!) last year). The show is wild and zany, and be forewarned, the performers interact with the audience/diners...a lot! So for those who are a bit shy/uncomfortable, know that wandering performers will stop and chat with your table. But it's not generally too painful. Or, at least, each table tends to have at least one person who craves the spotlight so the more shy folks can be let off the hook.

They do a very good job of pacing the multi-course meal with the show. A bit of eating, then a bit of show which seques well into the next course. Silliness is encouraged, and the food is decent, but not over-the-top amazing. They pimp Tom Douglas' name in all their advertising, but it's still large scale catering. I'm always impressed at how seamlessly the shows run from the audience's view (there may be chaos behind the doors, but you'd never know it).

The other nice thing with the pacing is that it is a decently long evening out. I've been trying to get my own folks to go, actually. They complain that they'll go out for a nice meal/evening, and be back home within the hour. But here, there are multiple courses and a show in between, so you'll be there for a 3 hours or more, but it stays entertaining the whole time.

Oh, beverages are NOT included in the price, and there's an additional per person fee (around $10, I think) so know that going in...it can start to add up quickly!

Still, for a "once in a great while" experience, it's great fun and very memorable evening. And the variety of the performance is great. Zany comedy, with some seriously nice acrobatics/circus acts, too, plus generally fun musical numbers. Have fun!

(When picking an evening to attend, check the schedule for the nearby playhouses. If the Opera or Ballet and Rep are in session (or a big event at key arena) parking lot rates will be higher and there will be more traffic to deal with)

I have been to Zinzanni twice: once when it first opened (a long time ago), and again about a year ago. It was great both times, with the second time being more polished, which is important in a show where they have to coordinate a variety of acts set in a loose story with a dinner service. They put on a great show. Even when you compare it with other circus-inspired shows, like Cirque de Soleil, it's a unique theater experience. I would definitely recommend it as a place to take your parents.

In the interests of full disclosure, I should mention that I've had some contact with Teatro Zinzanni staff, aside from being a paying guest. Zinzanni has twice hosted a fundraiser for Seattle's School for Acrobatics and New Circus Arts, a non-profit for which I volunteer as a musician. However, I'm completely sincere in recommending them.

It depends on what kind of experience your after. Its a bit like a Vegas show -- a bit pricey even if you go bare bones with your evening. The food is reaching for something it can't really attain so don't expect too much there. A good mix of vaudeville/ European circus type acts plus a transvestite main character. If wont break your budget I'd say try it out

Urgent! If you can get a ticket (I believe they are still available, just not primo seats)--run don't walk to catch Mike Daisy before his show ends at the REP this Sunday, the 22nd. It's The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs. It's a one person show with virtually no movement--he's sitting down--and so on the face of it it may not sound inherently theatrical, but it is important and theatre at it's best in many respects. What I mean by this is that it's entertaining, thought provoking, sticks to your ribs and most importantly, it does what only live performance can do: it creates a dynamism, a connection between audience and performer that's electric. Film is awesome but theater which resembles something you might have seen on film, or worse a sit-com, is not. Unfortunately this is a growing trend in contemporary theatre. But this is not a show that should or could be a film. Seeing Mike Daisy now will be the kind of artist we will be talking about in decades to come, as Spalding Gray was when he was alive. You may or may not embrace his style or the content of his storytelling, but its authenticity and passion is so spot-on it's unlikely you will ever forget it.

As for others will have to look into -three shows just closed recently I would have reccomended...