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Seattle’s Teatro ZinZanni — best known for its spendy dinner theater featuring comedy, cabaret and cirque artists — is making room this spring for a special, family-friendly rock show called Dream On. The matinee performances combine ZinZanni’s whimsical, feather-and-sequined flair with the hard edge of rock and roll, provided by local Aerosmith cover band Dream On. This is the second year of the popular collaboration.
“It was so successful we’re bringing it back,” said lead singer Jen Ayers, who can perfectly belt out a primal Steven Tyler-esque scream.
Dream On includes her husband Graham Ayers (rhythm guitar), Amy Tung (bass), Faith Stankevich (drums and vocals) and Laurie Miller (lead guitar).
In the ZinZanni show, Dream On’s members each take on beloved rock personas. Jen is transformed into a coquettish Blondie, while Graham embodies David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust, complete with spiked red hair. Two ZinZanni acrobats play the parts of Angus and Jethro, childlike characters who need to be schooled in the art of rock and roll.
For kids more accustomed to female rap star Iggy Azalea than Iggy Pop, the show is an introduction to some of the greatest rock songs of the ’70s and ’80s. Adults might find themselves reminiscing about mixtapes and big hair. Kids (and grown-up kids) are encouraged to join the mosh pit to dance. Jen said the show was designed to be appealing for all ages.
The Ayers’ 8-year-old son, Griffin, weighed in on the song selections for the show. As a singer with the Northwest Boychoir, Griffin is a budding star himself with “a voice like an angel,” his mom said.
Dream On originally was formed in 2005 under a different name. For Jen, it started as a side project of her band Honey Tongue, an alternative rock group that recorded and toured nationally.
“It’s a pretty cool mash-up of many areas of our lives,” Ayers said.
The show runs April 18 to May 30 at Teatro ZinZanni, 222 Mercer St. Tickets cost $19-$22 and are available online at zinzanni.com or at 206-802-0015.