Joe De Paul

Canadian actor, writer, teacher, director and clown Joe De Paul has always had a gargantuan appetite for performing. A veteran of numerous Cirque du Soleil productions, Joe’s unique physical comedy has brought him critical acclaim in various circuses and cabarets throughout Europe. Joe toured from Spain to Finland with Los Galindos street circus. He taught at the Geneva Circus School, FRACO clown school in France, and Concordia University Montreal. Joe has written and directed for Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, performed as a clown in the Football Show during the World Cup of Soccer in Berlin in 2006 and hosted the Förder Preis, The Zurich Cultural Awards Ceremony in 2010. Joe's latest creation is a full-length solo clown show titled Placebo - side effects include laughter, knee slapping and standing ovations. Joe’s career has scaled numerous heights, including appearances in over 20 film and television events.   Joe is delighted to be back again with Teatro ZinZanni!

Duo Madrona

Ben Wendel and Rachel Nehmer met as biology students at Haverford College. After a successful stint as lab partners, the couple decided to try out a new kind of collaboration – on a trapeze suspended from a madrone tree. In 2004 Rachel and Ben graduated and relocated to Seattle. UW scientists by day, trapeze artists by night, the duo spent several years creating their act at Seattle's School of Acrobatics and New Circus Arts (SANCA) before deciding to permanently retire from science and devote themselves to a life in the circus. Duo Madrona made their debut in 2006 at the Moisture Festival, and have since been featured all over the world. Notable appearances include Circus Flora, Teatro ZinZanni, Tigerpalast Varieté, Palazzo's "The Ball of the Graf," Cirque de Demain in Paris, and an epic 48-village tour of Switzerland with Circus Monti. Ben and Rachel have also collaborated with Circus Syzygy to produce original, collectively-directed shows in the US and France. Ben and Rachel are thrilled to be home in Seattle with Teatro ZinZanni.

Les Petits Frères

Domitil Aillot, Gregory Marquet and Mickael Bajazet formed Les Petits Frères in 1993 at the internationally acclaimed Annie Fratellini Circus School in Paris, where they trained in the fine art of circus with master teachers, Davis Bogino and Nelly Ranchman. The European press calls them the “Floating act” because of their unique ability to defy gravity. The wit and charm of their unforgettable act has been captivating audiences around the world for many years. In 2003 they made their debut with Teatro ZinZanni and since then have done numerous creations with Teatro in Seattle and San Francisco. In recent years, they have been adding to their repertoire; Domitil created a Chinese pole act after studying with Mr. Lu Yi, master teacher and artistic director of San Francisco's circus center, Mickael developed an acrobatic act incorporating salsa with Vita, and Gregory and Mickael created various comedy acts together.  Recently returned from the critically acclaimed ZinZanni show Love, Chaos & Dinner in Costa Mesa, CA, Les Petits Frères are happy to be back in Seattle!

Sergiy Krutikov

Ukrainian musician and juggler Sergiy Krutikov, is one of Teatro ZinZanni's founding artists. His infectious and dynamic personality, legendary balance, and remarkable juggling skills are a testament to the rigorous training he received as a young performer with the Moscow Circus and to his refined performance instincts. Krutikov will dazzle one and all with his circus feats, charm everyone with his infectious smile, and (if you are lucky) serenade you with his playful accordion.

Peter Pitofsky

Ever since running away from his home in New York City and joining the Ringling Bros Circus, Peter Pitofsky has been delighting audiences worldwide with his zany combination of slapstick comedy, uncanny timing, and improvisational shenanigans. Peter’s expansive comedy background includes street performing on the infamous Venice Beach boardwalk and working the comedy circuit at the L.A. Comedy Store and The Improv. Peter’s malleable face and willingness to do anything for a laugh have earned him opening slots with some of comedy’s heavyweights including Mel Brooks, Jay Leno, Penn & Teller, and more. Peter also regularly performs in Moscow and, most recently, has been making people laugh until their sides ache in sold out shows in Nuremberg and Rotterdam’s Palazzo. He has been winning the hearts of audiences in both the Seattle and San Francisco tents since 2002.

Francine Reed

Probably best known for her duet and back-up vocals with quirky country composer Lyle Lovett, Francine Reed was born to sing. The Chicago-born songstress began her professional career as a child singing in her family's gospel group. In time her repertoire expanded to include sweet soul and brassy blues. Throughout her career she shared the stage with legendary stars such as Miles Davis, Smokey Robinson, Etta James, and The Crusaders. Of course her strongest alliance is with Lyle and she provides him and the Large Band with an indelible stage presence and harmonic textures, which have entranced fans and critics worldwide. In addition to her touring schedule with Lyle, Francine has appeared on recordings by Delbert McClinton and Roy Orbison. Her most recent release is the 2012 self-produced CD, “Live at Eddie’s Attic,” which can be purchased in the Teatro ZinZanni boutique and on CdBaby.com.

Francine's character, Ruby, to be played by Duffy Bishop from August 1 to 25

Vita

A featured performer in the 2003 Tiger Lilies circus tour of Finland, France, England, Germany and Greece, the sensational Ukrainian contortionist and hula-hoop artist Vita Radionova made her North American debut at Teatro ZinZanni in 2004. 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 Varieté in Dusseldorf, PALAZZO in Munich and Frankfurt, and with Circus Salto Natale in Zurich. Enchanting, mesmerizing and sensuous, Vita defies the laws of physics with her performances.

Duffy Bishop

Playing the role of Ruby from
August 1 to 25 only
Legendary blues singer Duffy Bishop is delighted to once again entertain under the magical Teatro ZinZanni tent. Duffy is a hall of fame member in both the Washington Blues Society and the Oregon Cascade Blues Association. In 2009, the Cascade Blues Association (CBA) Muddy Award for Best Female Vocalist was renamed the Duffy Bishop Best Female Vocalist Award and in October 2010, Duffy was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by the CBA. She was also the subject of the documentary Who Is Duffy Bishop, and Why Isn't She World Famous produced by Seattle's Bryan Johnston. Duffy has been with Teatro ZinZanni since 1999 and was further delighted to have her husband Chris Carlson join TZ in 2002 as a guitarist. They have made music together since 1983, and have recently returned from another summer of festivals in the US & Canada. No matter where they travel to perform, it is always a great joy to rejoin the Teatro ZinZanni family, and dig into a juicy new character and show.