SEATTLE — A longtime Seattle soul singer is starring in a longtime Seattle show – and it came as a complete surprise.
Tiffany Wilson plays “Madame Z” in Teatro ZinZanni, which is celebrating 25 years of performances in the Emerald City. The dinner show features live music, audience interaction and circus arts performances.
“It's just really been a beautiful experience. I did not see it coming,” she said. "Driving down the street and seeing their ads on the buses and stuff, I'd be like, 'That's cool,' not having ever been here before."
She was recommended for the job by another local musician.
"Over the last few years I've been doing some work with Stone Gossard from Pearl Jam,” Wilson said.
When she received a call about taking over the role, Wilson said she was surprised and a bit nervous about the prospect of writing and delivering lines.
"I lost two months of sleep, just worried about what I was going to say,” she said. "(But) as a songwriter, I'd already been sharing what was on my mind and my heart and they asked that I actually do that here, too."
The performances are inside the Lotte Hotel’s Sanctuary Ballroom, which was once the oldest church in downtown Seattle. High ceilings allow for aerial acts and create ideal acoustics for Wilson’s soulful voice.
In the role of Madame Z, she helps move the show forward.
"I kind of show up before something incredible happens,” she said. "It's me bringing a little bit of inspiration to each of the cast members before they do something really incredible.”
Their acts include trapeze, contortionism, aerial arts and juggling.
Wilson also rises above the audience, atop a moon that’s raised about 30 feet – but that’s as close as she wants to get to acrobatics.
"No, I don't want to flip or do anything,” she laughed. “I have the best seat in the house for the trapeze act."
The show has also given her a new sense of self. Wilson wrote one of the songs she performs, and audiences love it.
"I'm learning definitely how to accept a compliment or gratitude from someone who says, 'Wow, I really needed this tonight,’” she said. "And I'm getting comfortable with, ‘Hey, they liked it!’"
Teatro ZinZanni is in residence at Lotte Hotel Seattle through March 31 and tickets are available online.
Wilson’s original music and other performances are available on her website.
KING 5's Evening celebrates the Northwest. Contact us: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Email.