Vanessa DiBernardo, drafted fourth overall by the Red Stars in 2014, has often been described by her teammates as an anchor on a team filled with dependable leadership.

Sunday, she made history and solidified that role, playing her 10,000 minute for the Red Stars in front of 3,301 fans. She is the first player in the club’s history and the sixth player in NWSL history to reach 10,000 minutes with one club.

“In professional sports these days, you don’t have people that stick with the same place for seven, eight or nine years,” Red Stars coach Rory Dames said. “It’s a compliment to her and her durability. It’s great for the club and it’s great for the city because she’s one of our own.”

The Red Stars came into the match in fifth place looking for their third straight win and got it against OL Reign 3-1. Their three added points moved the Red Stars into first place in the league temporarily as the Thorns and the Pride played Sunday night.

The match opened with an early goal from Bethany Balcer on a cross from Celia Jimenez in the 12th minute of play. OL Reign had scored four of their previous seven goals in the first 15 minutes of play. It was Balcer’s third goal in two games for OL Reign.

In the 48th minute, the Red Stars scored on an own goal from Jimenez, their fourth of the season. The Red Stars followed it with two more goals, another own goal in the 55th minute by Alana Cook and a goal from Mallory Pugh in the 64th minute. The assist came from Kealia Watt who also notched 10,000 minutes in the NWSL Sunday evening.

Pugh said post-game that she believed their second own goal was actually scored by Tatumn Milazzo and hopes that will be recognized. Dames said they are going to request that goal be reviewed.

The Red Stars have scored five own goals this season setting a new single-season record in the NWSL. In 2019 the Portland Thorns had four own goals in a season.

Cassie Miller, who earned the starting goalkeeper position in the absence of Alyssa Naeher, came up with a huge save in stoppage time. The Reign had 10 shots, three on goal.

Next up the Red Stars play Gotham FC on the road. It will be the clubs’ second meeting this season. Their previous match ended in a scoreless draw.

“This year is going to be a super tight table,” DiBernardo said. “We’re excited to be [in first] but we know it’s going to take a lot to stay there.”

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A man was fatally wounded in a shooting Sunday night in Austin on the Northwest Side.

About 7:30 p.m., the 30-year-old was in the 5500 block of West Rice Street when someone approached him and someone fired shots, Chicago police said.

He was struck in the shoulder and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

He hasn’t been identified.

No one is in custody as area detectives investigate.

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On July 19, 1980, the Summer Olympics opened in Moscow with 66 nations — led by the United States — boycotting because of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. The Games weren’t televised in this country, replaced by an eerie two-week hole in the sports calendar.

So consider the 2021 Tokyo Games — officially, still the 2020 Tokyo Games — the strangest Olympics many of us will have ever seen. It is, of course, a matter of COVID-19. Already, multiple non-U.S. athletes and at least one volunteer have tested positive inside the Olympic Village. According to NPR, “more than 45 people affiliated with the Games” — most of them contractors — have tested positive this month. The Japanese capital lags behind the U.S. and much of the world in vaccination rates, and the city is under its fourth state of emergency since the start of the pandemic.

As they say: What could go wrong?

The theme for Friday’s opening ceremony at Tokyo’s National Stadium is “United by Emotion,” but many — perhaps most — athletes will not march in the Parade of Nations and there won’t be any fans allowed. The warm bodies in the stands will belong to sponsors, dignitaries, International Olympic Committee members and the like.

Again: kind of strange. At least there will be televised replays of all events for those who aren’t vampires or worse — annoying get-up-and-go types. Did we mention the opening ceremony starts at 5:55 a.m. CDT? No, thanks.

Here’s what’s happening:

Photo by David Berding/Getty Images

MON 19

Twins at White Sox (4:10 p.m., NBSCH)

Shohei Ohtani takes the hill for the Sox in Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Twins. Wait, did we say Shohei Ohtani? Sorry, should’ve been Lance Lynn.

Cubs at Cardinals (7:15 p.m., ESPN, Marquee)

The Cubs’ rivals are no better off in the standings, but they’re more inclined to keep their roster together and stay in the fight (see: “Losing With Dignity” on Page 132 of the “Cardinals Way” manual).

TUE 20

Twins at White Sox (7:10 p.m., NBCSCH)

The Sox were 10-2 against the Twins in the season’s first half, outscoring them 91-47. No need to start making things more exciting now.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Suns at Bucks, Game 6 (8 p.m, Ch. 7)

Phoenix fans can count to 10 until they’re blue in their faces. At the end of the day, all Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has to do is count to four.

WED 21

Olympic women’s soccer: U.S. vs. Sweden (7:30 a.m., 5 p.m., NBCSN)

The only time since November 2019 when our women’s team failed to win was three months ago against Sweden — fifth in FIFA’s world rankings — which led deep into an eventual 1-1 draw in Stockholm.

D.C. United at Fire (7 p.m., Ch. 9)

It’s not just a dirty rumor: The Fire — yes, the Fire — recently won two games in a row. Let’s see you top that, Olympics.

Cubs at Cardinals (7:15 p.m., ESPN, Marquee)

Adam Wainwright makes career start No. 44 against the Cubs, the opponent he has faced more than any other. In related news, Wainwright is pretty dang old.

THU 22

Bucks at Suns, Game 7 (if necessary; 8 p.m., Ch. 7)

Can Chris Paul complete the coronation comeback? Worst case, he moves up the best-player-never-to-win-a-title list. (Not much of a consolation prize, but it’s the best we can do.)

FRI 23

Olympics: opening ceremony (5:55 a.m., 6:30 p.m., Ch. 5)

It’s a tradition that dates back to the very first Olympic Games in the 8th century B.C.: asking why in the hell the opening ceremony doesn’t come before the competition starts.

Diamondbacks at Cubs (1:20 p.m., Marquee)

If fans in the desert don’t get their NBA title, at least they can take comfort in their soon-to-be-100-loss baseball team.

White Sox at Brewers (7:10 p.m., NBCSCH)

Some of us are old enough to remember a long-ago time when these teams waged frequent, sometimes ornery battles as division rivals. If you don’t know, ask Phil Garner and Terry Bevington about it.

SAT 24

Olympic swimming (7 p.m., Ch. 5)

The men’s and women’s 400-meter individual medleys and the men’s 400-meter freestyle are highlighted today in this sport we care about — a crazy lot — every four years.

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images

SUN 25

Olympic men’s basketball: U.S. vs. France (5 a.m., Peacock, 11:15 a.m., Ch. 5)

Two words sums up the state of the American squad: “compromised roster.” At least Zach LaVine has plenty of experience with that.

Red Stars at Gotham FC (4 p.m., Paramount+)

Between them, the teams have seven players on Olympic duty. But who needs Julie Ertz, Alyssa Naeher and Carli Lloyd, anyway?

White Sox at Brewers (6:08 p.m., ESPN)

Look, just because the Cubs can’t beat the Brewers, that doesn’t mean the Sox can’t.

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PHOENIX – No one really knows what the Cubs will look like in a few weeks or what will be left of the team’s current roster after the trade deadline. But the message the team is carrying into the second half until something happens is to stay in the moment.

Following what was a rough end to their first half, the Cubs came out and took two of three games from the DBacks. While they can’t turn their season around in one series, finding something to build off of going into another division series against the Cardinals is a start.

“I think these guys are in the right frame of mind,” manager David Ross said after Sunday’s 6-4 loss. “The things they’re doing. The energy they’re bringing. The way they’ve gone about their business. From the workout all the way through this series. It’s been positive.

“Good at-bats. I hadn’t seen anybody not focused, not giving effort. Not giving anything away, to be honest with you. I [think] these guys are really excited about the second half and the potential of trying to try to get this thing back on track.”

The series victory against the DBacks was their first since June 11-13 against the Cardinals. Their 11-game losing streak put them into a deep hole in the NL Central race, but just like they didn’t fall to third place overnight, getting back in the race won’t happen overnight either.

“We really needed that reset at the All-Star break,” first baseman Anthony Rizzo said Friday. “Just the message of going 1-0. It’s so cliche and it’s so easy to say, but it’s hard to do. And I think we can just embrace winning today and win the day and enjoy it.

“If you lose, you just come out the next day and just try to win that day. Try to do the best you can do take that mentality, especially for these next two weeks with all the stories are gonna be flying.”

It’s no secret the Cubs’ clubhouse could look different over the next two weeks as the end of their first half dramatically changed the course of their season. While that could distract a team with as many veteran players as the Cubs could have on the move, their approach to their second half also applies to the coming trade deadline.

“It’s definitely all mental,” starter Kyle Hendricks said. “You just have to keep reminding yourself, we’re gonna be playing baseball no matter what and [trades] happen all the time. Guys come and go. It’s unfortunate, it’s part of the game, you get close with guys, and they leave. But everyone that enters his clubhouse is a part of the family. Whoever we have at the moment. And so that’s what we focus on, we focus on what we have now.”

“We also have to understand that this is a business,” catcher Willson Contreras said. “I know that those decisions, we can’t control, but we got to keep looking forward. And we just have to find a way to keep playing better baseball more than anything else.”

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A 31-year-old man was ordered held without bail Sunday after prosecutors said he fatally shot his stepfather at their home in suburban Bellwood as his mother watched.

Mykel Harris was charged with first-degree murder in Friday’s slaying of 54-year-old Kenny Willis, who prosecutors said was married to his mother.

Prosecutors noted that Harris and Willis had a “contemptuous relationship” and barely spoke despite living together with Harris’ mother in the 4000 block of Congress Street.

Harris initially called Bellwood police Friday to report that he suspected Willis of stealing a gun from him, according to prosecutors, who reported that Harris had a “large arsenal of weapons” he was licensed to own and carry. Police advised him to call back once Willis returned to the home.

Willis came home that evening and went to the garage, where he was known to hang out with friends, prosecutors said. About four hours later, Willis grew “belligerent” when he walked inside the home and started berating his wife after realizing something was missing from the garage.

The commotion led Harris to the living room, where his mother attempted to calm down Willis and asked him to leave, prosecutors said. But when Willis pushed her aside and reached for a bag, Harris pulled out a handgun and indicated for his mother to get out of the way.

That’s when Willis turned his back and reached for the bag, prompting Harris to fire two shots that struck his stepfather in the hip and flank, prosecutors said. After collapsing, Willis used his last words to ask the others to call 911.

His wife did so but was unable to speak, leaving Harris to take the phone, according to prosecutors. Harris then told the dispatcher that he shot Willis in response to threats he made. Harris’ mother, however, said she didn’t see her husband armed and a gun wasn’t recovered near him.

Willis was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead, according to prosecutors and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. His death was ruled a homicide.

Harris was arrested at the home, where investigators found the gun used in the shooting and other weapons, prosecutors said. Harris, who had no prior arrests, admitted to the shooting, though his defense attorney claimed he acted in self-defense fearing his stepfather was armed.

Judge Mary Marubio ultimately denied Harris bail Sunday. He’s expected back in court Tuesday.

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Michael Kopech would love to be a part of the White Sox’ rotation. But he knows what the Sox starters are doing and is enjoying his role to help them hold leads.

“To come in and be able to pitch behind them and maintain that lead that they kept us with whenever they came out, I think that’s just as rewarding,” Kopech said. “I think we’ve got one of the best five-man rotations in baseball right now, if not the best. I know that’s bold, but I think we’ve shown that.

“I don’t think any time that someone steps on the mound for us that it seems like, ‘All right, we’re going to have to battle today.’ I think we have the potential to dominate everybody we play.”

Sooner or later, Kopech could get his chance in the rotation, but for now he’s a key weapon in the bullpen for the Sox and manager Tony La Russa.

Kopech has retired the last 12 batters he’s faced, with seven coming on strikeouts. He hasn’t allowed a run over his last seven games, and said he’s feeling more explosive since coming off the injured list.

He’s also found himself pitching in high-leverage situations, like Sunday afternoon’s perfect eighth.

“Pitching wherever they need me is a relief,” Kopech said. “I like going out there and getting to be competitive in late innings. But ‘whenever they need me’ is kind of my mindset right now. My last few have just been later. It’s been cool.”

No regrets
Carlos Rodon was named to his first all-star team but didn’t pitch at Coors Field so he could rest and save his arm for the second half. Rodon relished the experience and said the honor of being an all-star is a “big deal,” but was keeping his eye on other team-oriented prizes.

“We all have a common goal here,” Rodon said. “I think the well-being of the team is more important than individual honors. Those are nice, I think our goal is the postseason and that’s what we are trying to focus on.”

Rodon’s seven innings Sunday moved him to 96 2/3 this season. Over the 2019 and 2020 campaigns, he threw a total of 42 1/3.

“That break was much needed,” Rodon said. “It’s been a while since I pitched to an all-star break and after an all-star break. I think I needed that for my body. I think it will do well in the second half.”

Lopez’s goals
Reynaldo Lopez was once considered part of the rotation of the future. Now, he’s trying to contribute in any way he can.

“My goal right now is just to help the team to win games,” Lopez said through a translator. “It doesn’t matter what role. Whatever spot they want to use me, I know I have to perform and do the best that I can do. I’m not looking to be a starter or reliever; just looking to help this team in whatever role they need me.”

Optioned on March 22, Lopez had spent the entire season in Charlotte, compiling a 1-6 record and 7.62 ERA. But the Sox still brought him back, and he threw two scoreless innings Friday in his 2021 debut and could work during Monday’s doubleheader.

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The Blackhawks’ 11-player protection list for the 2021 NHL Expansion Draft, released Sunday, surprisingly does not contain defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

Zadorov will thus headline the list of Hawks available for the new Seattle Kraken to choose from during Wednesday’s expansion draft. The Kraken will pick one player from each of the 30 other teams, excluding the Golden Knights.

The Hawks’ protection list is as follows:

Forwards (7): Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Strome, Brandon Hagel, Henrik Borgstrom, David Kampf

Defensemen (3): Connor Murphy, Riley Stillman, Caleb Jones

Goaltender (1): Kevin Lankinen

Players with two or fewer professional seasons — a group which includes forwards Kirby Dach, Dominik Kubalik, Lukas Reichel, Pius Suter and Philipp Kurashev and defensemen Adam Boqvist, Ian Mitchell, Wyatt Kalynuk and Nicolas Beaudin — are automatically exempted from the expansion draft. Forward Alex Nylander was also given a special exemption by the NHL.

That leaves Zadorov and fellow defenseman Calvin de Haan, forwards Adam Gaudette and Ryan Carpenter and goalie Malcolm Subban as the logical Hawks options for Kraken general manager Ron Francis.

Hawks general manager Stan Bowman’s decision to protect both the newly extended Stillman and newly acquired Jones over Zadorov was unexpected. Even as a restricted free agent reportedly asking for a big payday, Zadorov — acquired from the Avalanche last fall for the hefty price of Brandon Saad — still holds significant trade value.

Ryan Graves, a 6-6, defense-first, 26-year-old, second-pairing defenseman just like Zadorov, was traded from the Avs to Devils last week for the sizable reward of a second-round pick and borderline prospect, setting a potential market price for Zadorov. But the Hawks could now lose Zadorov for nothing or be forced to give up additional assets in a side deal to persuade the Kraken to pick someone else.

Among the forwards, the final spot likely came down to a decision between Kampf and Gaudette, with the Hawks ultimately favoring familiarity.

Gaudette, another RFA, could be a clever pick for the Kraken, though. After a deadline trade from the Canucks, he impressed in his late-season Hawks stint by scoring four points in seven games, and he could be poised for a breakout with his long-running digestive disorder finally under control.

Meanwhile, if the Kraken aim higher on their selections from other teams and simply want a steady depth presence from the Hawks, Carpenter could make sense. If the Kraken need a third goalie to meet their minimum draft requirements, Subban could fit.

Around the league, other teams’ protection decisions demonstrated just how much the flat salary cap has altered NHL team-building, making good players on reasonable contracts often more valuable than star players on big contracts.

As a result, an array of big-name veterans with hefty cap hits — including Canadiens goalie Carey Price ($10.5 million cap hit), Predators forwards Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen ($8 million each), Blues forward Vladamir Tarasenko ($7.5 million), Flyers forward James van Riemsdyk ($7 million), Flames defenseman Mark Giordano ($6.75 million), Ducks forward Adam Henrique ($5.825 million) and Islanders forwards Jordan Eberle ($5.5 million) and Josh Bailey ($5 million) — were left exposed.

The Kraken won’t be able to afford all of those players, however, and might flip some of the ones they do select to other teams in exchange for picks and prospects.

More affordable exposed options like Jets forward Mason Appleton ($900k), Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese (an RFA), Red Wings defenseman Troy Stecher ($1.7 million), Bruins defenseman Jeremy Lauzon ($850k) and Wild goalie Kaapo Kahkonen ($725k) are considered very likely Kraken choices.

And one selection is already essentially locked in: UFA goalie Chris Driedger is expected to sign with the Kraken and be their de facto pick from the Panthers, TSN reported Saturday.

Read More

“Black Widow” ceded its No. 1 spot to an unlikely foe in its second week in theaters: The Tune Squad.

LeBron James, Bugs Bunny and the rest of the stars of Warner Bros.’ “Space Jam: A New Legacy” defied expectations and won the box office this weekend. According to studio estimates Sunday, “Space Jam: A New Legacy” grossed $31.7 million in North America, while “Black Widow” took in $26.3 million.

Not many expected “Space Jam: A New Legacy” to pull off this win. The poorly reviewed film was pegged for an opening in the $20 million range. But a sizable number of families and millennials who grew up with the original “Space Jam” left the house and went to a theater to see it, even though it’s currently streaming on HBO Max free for subscribers.

Not only that, audiences also gave the film a promising A- in CinemaScore polling, suggesting word of mouth could be strong.

“Space Jam: A New Legacy” is the largest pandemic opening for Warner Bros., which is significant since the studio in 2021 is releasing all its films simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max.

It’s also the largest domestic opening for a family film since the beginning of the pandemic. Warner Bros. said 32% of the audience was under 18, which is larger than usual. Most of the major family films that have come out during the pandemic — from “The Boss Baby: Family Business” to “Raya and the Last Dragon” — have opened well under $20 million. But audiences of all ages turned out for the new “Space Jam.”

“It shows that families have waited for a movie that everyone can go to and that’s this movie,” said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ head of domestic distribution. “It’s just a fun movie for the family.”

“Black Widow,” meanwhile fell 67% in its second weekend, which, although steep, is also fairly normal for superhero films, which tend to have frontloaded audiences. Internationally, the Scarlett Johansson-led film picked up another $29.9 million, bringing its global grosses to $264 million.

Last weekend, “Black Widow” became the highest grossing film of the pandemic. Disney also surprised many in the industry by revealing its first weekend profits from the movie’s streaming rentals. Rental grosses were not provided this week, however.

This weekend also saw the launch of “Escape Room: Tournament of Champions,” a sequel to the high-concept 2019 film. Sony is projecting that the film will gross $8.8 million over the weekend, which is actually better than the first film’s debut and in line with studio expectations.

“F9” took fourth place with $7.6 million. The “Fast & Furious” film has made $591.2 million globally to date. The fifth and sixth place spots also went to Universal films: “The Boss Baby: Family Business” with $4.7 million and “The Forever Purge,” with $4.1 million.

“A Quiet Place Part II,” which recently became available on Paramount+, is still doing good numbers into its eighth week in theaters. It added another $2.3 million, bringing its domestic total to $155 million.

The Anthony Bourdain documentary “Roadrunner” also did well this weekend, grossing around $1.9 million from 925 theaters, making it the top grossing specialty debut of the year.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

1. “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” $31.7 million.

2. “Black Widow,” $26.3 million.

3. “Escape Room: Tournaments of Champions,” $8.8 million.

4. “F9,” $7.6 million.

5. “The Boss Baby: The Family Business,” $4.7 million.

6. “The Forever Purge,” $4.2 million.

7. “A Quiet Place Part II,” $2.3 million.

8. “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain,” $1.9 million.

9. “Cruella,” $1.1 million.

10. “Pig,” $945,000.

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JUST SAYIN

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The Tough Talk has Stopped/ The Mass Shootings and Killings CONTINUE/ Chicago Leads The Nation

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By BOB ANGONE,
today at 12:36 pm

Imagine if Chicago had a voice-“OH I AM FORTUNES FOOL” ROMEO WASN’T ALONE IN HIS THINKING. POLITICIANS LOOM LARGE IN THE LAND OF THE GUTLESS. LOOK AT THIS TRIBUNE HEADLINE. SHE WENT TO McDONALDS WITH HER DADDY. IT’S BEEN 4 MONTHS THE VIOLENCE CONTINUES, THE POLITICIANS KEEP TALKING—–

A few weeks ago the City’s Beleaguered Mayor had a 3-minute chat with the President of the United States on the tarmac at O’Hare Field. Supposedly it involved the horrific violence playing out on Chicago’s streets. Imagine discussing the shootings of some 2,300 Chicagoans and the killing of over 420 souls in 3 minutes. Hey if you cannot be honest you better be smart. As I write this I’m glancing at a headline in one of Chicago’s papers, see for yourself below.

Startling I’m sure for some folks to even contemplate something like that happening once. However, for Chicago, the last 24 hours have produced the 33rd and 34th mass shootings since the beginning of the year. Yesterday was the 5th time in the last 5 months that there has been 2 mass shooting in one SINGLE DAY. Needless to say, Chicago has led the country in mass shootings for at least the last 6 years. Below are examples of the frustration being felt. One is an editorial in one of Chicago’s newspapers. The other is a grieving parent. Powerful words, but if they are being heard it’s a surprise to me.

Chicago’s children are out of school for the summer and no doubt it’s safe to say most are not enjoying a summer of carefree relief from school. They have substituted “ENJOY” with SURVIVAL. HUNDREDS OF TEENS under 18 have been shot so far this year and 52 have been killed. Chicago’s gangs have become lethal homegrown terrorists who have no regard for life or possess any sense of decency. Shooting into crowds of innocent people with babies, toddlers, and children of all ages can only be described as terrorism. Chicago’s Police Superintendent met with the President last week at the White House. During this visit which incidentally lasted more than 3 minutes, the President promised to do all he could to help with Chicago’s ongoing shootings and killings. In other words, funding the police instead of the fearful shrieking call to DEFUND the police. The talk made headlines of course in Chicago,” BIDEN PROMISES CHICAGO A FEDERAL STRIKEFORCE, ADDITIONAL PROSECUTORS, AND FASTRACKING INVESTIGATIONS TO REIGN IN CHICAGO’S GANGS”.

Well, it’s been a week, and if Chicago’s version of Lawrence of Arabia has arrived it’s hasn’t shown itself yet. Since the White House talks, last Monday, over 120 people have been shot and 20 MORE have been murdered. It’s a fair question, we’ve had the White House talks, we have seen the headlines and the photo ops. Where the hell is the strike force? Why do Chicago’s gang members outnumber the cops 10-1. SEE THE HEADLINE ABOVE. It’s a fair question even the media is asking.

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  Bob Angone is a Marine VETERAN and a retired Chicago Police Lieutenant. He worked his entire Career covering the streets of Chicago as a Tactical Officer, Tactical Sergeant, and Tactical Lieutenant. His last assignments were in special Functions, he was the C/O of the CPD Swat teams his last five years and was an HBT (Hostage Barricade Terrorist) Sergeant for 10 years.

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It didn’t take long Thursday night at Teatro ZinZanni for The Caesar — a.k.a. the dinner theater production’s emcee/ringmaster/clown-in-chief — to get loud about the return of in-person, live theater to Chicago’s Loop.

Three times, the last with the audience roaring along, The Caesar (Frank Ferrante) roared toward the heavens: “We are here!” Part battle cry, part defiant declaration, all unbridled exuberance, it was a fittingly raucous and celebratory moment.

Well, as celebratory as one can get with COVID-19’s lethal variants lurking who-knows-where. Although the ZinZanni press materials say that all audience members and performers must be vaccinated, nobody affiliated with the production checked with patrons as they entered the show’s grand Spiegeltent on the 14th floor of the Cambria Hotel for opening night — the first the Loop has hosted since the lockdown last March. Two friends of mine were quickly moved to another table after they found out they’d been seated with an unvaccinated couple in the near-capacity, 300-person dining room where the show is punctuated by a meal created by the Goddess and Grocer’s Debbie Sharpe. Opening night, there weren’t many empty seats, nary a vestige of social distancing and few masks.

ZinZanni originally opened back in July 2019 only to fall victim, along with the rest of the theater world, to COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns the following year. Certain key elements — namely Ferrante and master clown/co-director Joe DePaul — remain intact. The rebooted and retooled acts are fantastically over-the-top and more than diverting enough to make you momentarily forget we’re emerging from a pandemic. Truly, there’s nothing like top-drawer aerial artists, contortionists, a one-person ode to King Kong, a golden chariot pulled by fluttering doves, a couple seducing each other with lettuce, and a pie floating in extreme slo-mo toward an unsuspecting Cleopatra to take your mind off your troubles.

Provided

The aforementioned Spiegeltent is reminiscent of a lobby/bar/theater space serving decor that’s “Eyes Wide Shut” by way of Liberace’s mansion and a Moulin Rouge floor show. With RuPaul’s “Sissy That Walk” featured prominently in the preshow music, the champagne bar, the regular bar and a gift shop selling pricey tiaras take on the feel of a catwalk.

There are kinks, so to speak, during the nearly three-hour production directed by ZinZanni founder Norm Langill, with Ferrante joining DePaul as a co-director.

The biggest issue: Way. Too. Much. Audience interaction. Non-professionals, a.k.a. people you wouldn’t pay to see, take up about 20 minutes of stage time. A bit involving a dance-off among three audience members has a great denouement, but it was a long, repetitious time coming. Audience interaction inevitably brings out some himbo who thinks they’re funnier than the professionals and while Ferrante is a master at breaking the fourth wall, (“You look like every Republican senator I’ve ever met.”), he resorted to shouting “SIT THE HELL DOWN” when a guy in front didn’t get the directive the first few times.

The irritants fade when the performers get the spotlight. The plot is incidental: We’re in The Caesar’s restaurant, where Cleopatra has decided to hang out after 2,000 or so years in a sarcophagus.

As The Caesar and Marco Antonio (DePaul) bombastically extol the beauty of Cleopatra (Storm Marrero), she emerges from the tomb, a royal for the ages. When Marrero launches into “Sympathy for the Devil,” it sounds like the music is welling up from somewhere ancient, an offering from the Gods of Belt. Marrero isn’t the only one with pipes. The single monikered Cunio boasts both an eerie falsetto and a rocker’s growl worthy of an arena, all while rocking six-inch ruby slippers.

Hula-hooping contortionist Vita Radionova turns centrifugal force into ethereal beauty as she morphs into a human slinky. Oliver Parkinson and Cassie Cutler (Duo 19) do a trapeze pas de deux to “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” that is every bit as hallucinatory as you’d expect. Aerialist Lea Hinz and dancer Mickael Bajazet evoke old-time Hollywood with a delightfully Chaplinesque duet. A live, five-piece onstage band conducted by Bill Underwood adds intensity and drama to the acts.

The other area that needs work is the dining service. Our silverware arrived about 10 minutes after our entrees. By the time we had finished, the people sitting behind us hadn’t yet been served. Sharpe’s menu includes a choice of entrees, hummus and olives, Caesar salad and chocolate mousse; drinks and appetizers run $7 – $16.

The bit that leaves the biggest impression, however, belongs to DePaul, a clown worthy of Sir Toby Belch, or any other of Shakespeare’s magnificently foolish wits. It all starts as a random celebration of nonsense: There’s a shoe filled with celery, a to-the-skivvies striptease in a garbage can, a beheaded Barbie, a fleet of paper airplanes, a paper box. DePaul takes seemingly random lunacies and turns them into a one-person re-creation of one of the most iconic movie scenes of all time. When it suddenly comes into focus, you will be not only laughing, but outright guffawing and you won’t give a darn about missing silverware.

Catey Sullivan is a local freelance writer.

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