CIRQUE. COMEDY. CABARET.

Frank Ferrante was picked by the Chicago Tribune as a top ten performer of the year for his work in Teatro ZinZanni. His PBS TV program, Frank Ferrante’s Groucho, is currently playing nationally. Frank was nominated for London’s Laurence Olivier Award, New York’s Outer Critics Circle Award and won New York’s Theatre World Award. Frank directed Old Wicked Songs which became a Pulitzer Prize finalist for Drama and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in which he played Pseudolus. For that, The Wall Street Journal chose Ferrante as a top ten. On television, Frank played a speaking mime on Emmy award-winning Childrens Hospital and can be heard on the animated series Garfield and SpongeBob SquarePants. He was a question on TV’s Jeopardy and was honored to be one of the last guests on Gilbert Gottfried’s Amazing, Colossal Podcast. Last year, Frank received a ‘star’ on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars for his contributions to theater.

LiV Warfield (formerly seen as Cleopatra in Teatro ZinZanni) is a singer, songwriter and producer, who has caught the attention of Prince, Nancy Wilson of Heart, and Jimmy Fallon to name a few. In 2009, LiV was part of Prince’s New Power Generation and a vocalist for 3rdEyeGirl. In 2014, LiV refocused on her solo career and delivered a successful album called “The Unexpected” that was executive produced by Prince. The album received rave reviews from critics and she wowed audiences with her show-stopping performances. In January 2022, LiV released her new live album “Live At Cafe Wha?”, again demonstrating her unique live sound with a rock n’ soul edge.

James has been on a diverse journey from dancer to choreographer to director to singer/songwriter and much in between. His career has taken him from the west coast to the east coast, as well as several continents around the world. From non-paying jobs, to the bright starring lights of the Broadway stage, with film and TV in between, he is happy to be a working artist. Credits include: Broadway Ain’t Too Proud (Grammy nominee), Aida, The Color Purple; film (North, The Mend); TV (Blue Bloods, Law & Order, Le James Cafe); Creative (The Color Purple [regional] Best Director nominee and most recently the first Black man to play Zach in a professional production of A Chorus Line.

Cornelius Atkinson

Cornelius is a high-level aerialist and acrobat who brings power and creative energy to the stage, blending grace and strength with thrilling acrobatics. Cornelius has performed around the globe from contemporary circus companies and corporate gigs to Cirque du Soleil, and has a wide range of skills in a variety of circus disciplines. He is also an experienced and trusted circus coach, supporting his students in the pursuit of excellence. Cornelius is a skilled fencer and percussionist with nearly fifteen years of experience in these disciplines.

Isis Clegg-Vinell

Isis decided at the bold age of two and a half that she wanted to be a ballerina, and was on stage, taking part in performances and dance competitions from about 4 years old. She swiftly took up gymnastics – the beginning of her love affair with acrobatics.

Isis was a successful gymnast, being both a National and International Champion in Acrobatics Gymnastics. She competed for GB for three years, before retiring from the sport and heading straight to Circus School in London.

Initially, Isis wanted to be an aerial flyer but instead, she somewhat hesitantly decided to form an acrobatic partnership with Nathan. Little did she know that 13 years later, she’d still be stuck with him, on the 14th floor of a hotel in Downtown Chicago…..

Luckily, they now have Cornelius within their working partnership and their Dysfunctional Duo is now a Terrific Trio! Having won several awards at Young Stage 2022 – Including the Gold Prize and Audience Choice Award – they are so excited to be bringing their creativity to U.S. for the first time!

Oh, and she also skates. You’ll see Nathan flipping her upside down whilst they whip round on wheels!

Nathan Price

Nathan started circus training at the somewhat late age of 15, after telling his mum “I want to learn to do a flip!” He was part of the London Youth Circus and then went on to the National Centre for Circus Arts’ professional programme. Since graduating from NCCA in 2011, he has performed with Isis as the aptly named Hand to Hand duo; Nathan&Isis, where they’ve taken their talents all over the world, including a North American tour with Cirque du Soleil, multiple shows with the 7 Fingers, as well as playing Simba in a somewhat-copyright-inappropriate version of the Lion King for the Prince of Saudi Arabia’s 4th birthday party. In 2020, Isis, Cornelius, and Nathan decided to form Trio Vertex. They started to explore the possibilities of a new circus discipline; “Hand to Trapeze,” where they continuously find fresh and exciting ways to endanger Isis’ safety for your entertainment.

“What if Diaghilev choreographed for a juggler?.” wondered the New York Times. Viktor Kee, a Ukrainian born juggler, has been performing on stage since he was six years old. A recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for innovation in Circus Industry, finalist of America’s Got Talent and winner of major circus festivals including the Circus festivals in Paris and Monte Carlo. A favorite with audiences around the world, Viktor has performed at the Moulin Rouge, Lido de Paris, the Friedrichstadtpalast, Mirage and MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Royal Albert Hall in London and around the world with Cirque du Soleil. In the development of Viktor’s career he has stood on the shoulders of his forefathers in the juggling world.

Ulzii discovered her contortion abilities at the age of 4 and entered Mongolia’s National Circus School when she was 7 where she developed her contortion skills. By the age of 9, Ulzii was chosen to join the cast of the world renowned Cirque du Soleil which launched her professional circus career. Ever since she has been traveling and performing in many Cirque du Soleil productions such as Alegria, Amaluna and Totem. After an exciting decade performing all around the world with Cirque Du Soleil in over 40 countries, Ulzii moved on to create her individual style and began working with other productions companies across the entertainment industry. No matter which new project Ulzii embarks on she always carefully crafts her creation, expressing her unique style of performing blending theatre, hand balancing, and contortion.

Bassist, writer, producer, and educator Chuck Webb has toured the world many times, performing with such notable artists as Aretha Franklin, Grover Washington Jr., Ramsey Lewis, Bill Withers, David Sanborn, and many others.

Chuck has performed on hundreds of records, commercial jingles, soundtracks, and theater productions, including Hamilton, Wicked, Jersey Boys, and Motown the Musical.

Chuck is an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago and the owner of Earth Tone Enterprises production company, through which he has produced and composed scores for motion pictures, educational programs, popular music CDs, and his own solo and band projects.

Jon is a woodwind player, studio singer, composer, freelance producer, and film scorer that has performed in Chicago for the past 40 years.

His instruments, voice, and writing have been heard on hundreds of radio and television commercials worldwide. He has performed with Celine Dion, Bob Hope, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Ray Charles, Dionne Warwick, Denis Leary, Joan Rivers, Enuff Z’nuff, Debbie Reynolds & Donald O’Connor, Eddie Arnold, The Temptations, The Lennon Sisters, Dennis DeYoung and Styx, among others.

Jon produced more than 700 music tracks for the preschool music program Kindermusik. He is a founding member of The Lakeside Singers, celebrating its 23rd year.

Phil Seed’s passion is his profession. Ever since Phil taught himself to play guitar at an early age, he was compelled to see just where that guitar would take him. After nomadic years of performing, composing, and arranging pop, rock, and contemporary R&B and jazz music, Phil Seed has cemented his place among the “A” list musicians in Chicago. For Phil, being able to entertain is a life of joy. This passion and joy have afforded him exciting opportunities in the music industry.

Phil toured regularly with comedian Bernie Mac as an original member of Bernie’s stage band, “The Mac Men.” In October 1995, Phil and the Mac Men served as the house band for Bernie Mac’s first HBO variety series, “Midnight Mac,” taped live in Chicago. Phil’s musical contribution and friendship with Bernie lead to even more invaluable opportunities. Soon thereafter, Phil would perform with industry giants like Chaka Khan, George Duke, Sheila E., Will Downing, and Brian McKnight. Gospel greats Kim Burrell, Vanessa Bell Calloway, and the late Walter Hawkins sought Phil’s unique sound to help “spread the Good Word.” Phil toured with R&B talents Alfonso Hunter and David Hollister, then became a vital member of the Vibe Magazine/Miller Genuine Draft’s 2006 live music series “The Craft,” where he performed with hip‐hop and R&B artists Erykah Badu, Common, Marsha Ambrosius, and KRS‐One.

Recently, while continuing to be the driving force behind the sound of the band he led for over 15 years, Detour JazFunk, Phil worked with Cedric the Entertainer for his 2010 TBS Just for Laughs special “Cedric’s Urban Circus,” filmed live at the Chicago Theatre.

Phil’s multi‐musical facets are in high demand within Chicago’s diverse music scene. Currently, he is performing throughout the country and pouring his musical passion and sense of humor into his anticipated solo CD project.

Theodis Rodgers Jr. is an American Jazz pianist and multi-keyboardist from Chicago, Illinois. He has worked in theater, television, and motion pictures as a performer, composer, arranger, producer, and music conductor/director both nationally and internationally. Theodis has appeared on countless album recordings. He has been music director/ keyboardist for Curtis Mayfield, Patti LaBelle, Angela Bofill, Jennifer Holiday, Sarah Vaughn, Ramsey Lewis, Freddie Hubbard, The Emotions
and Dennis De Young.

Theodis is a former member of the funk/rock band Love Craft. He also tours as a pianist/conductor for Sandy Hackett’s “Rat Pack Show.” Mr. Rodgers’ film credits include a cameo appearance with Sheena Easton in the movie “Indecent Proposal.” He also co-wrote music for the movie “A Family Thing, ” featuring actors Robert DuVall and James Earl Jones.

Theodis has recently concluded a multi-city tour of Russia with a vocalist, Tecora Rogers, and the Chicago Spirituals with performances in concert halls and cathedrals across the country. He has also performed at the Hat Jazz Club in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 2012, Theodis lived and performed in Beijing, China. He appeared regularly at Beijing’s China Wing Hotel and The East Shore Live Jazz Cafe. He also conducted Masterclasses at the Beijing Contemporary Music Institute. Recently, Theodis has appeared along with Classical pianist George Cooper and Ragtime pianist Reginald Robinson in a self-penned concert series called” From Mozart to Monk.”

His theatrical performances as a musical director and/or pianist include productions of “Ain’t Misbehavin,” Tony Award winner Hinton Battle’s “Largely Live,” “Dreamgirls,” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Mr. Rodgers currently lives and performs regularly in Chicago, Illinois, and travels internationally with his Jazz trio.

Some of his recent Chicago performances include: The Quarry, Room 43, Norman’s Bistro, Andy’s Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase, and Winters Jazz Club.

Percussionist and drummer Jose D Martinez is a University of Northern Colorado graduate with a BA in Music.

He was part of the local music scene in Seattle for about 20 years before relocating to Chicago. While in Seattle, he played with many local jazz artists and performed with Teatro Zinzanni Seattle in various shows since 2008. He also toured with the jam band Leftover Salmon for 12 years, playing various festivals and venues across the USA.