After an
acclaimed run off-off-Broadway at the Rodney Kirk Theatre on the new Theatre
Row, ZANNA, DON’T! has moved up the street and off-Broadway to the
Houseman Theatre for an open-ended engagement. This is a spectacular example
of a musical comedy with such a positive message and clean-cut script that
the entire family can attend together. It is the definition of a feel-good
production!
The story of a
personable teen named Zanna, who has a need to give budding love a helping
hand, plus the keen eye and magic wand to speed the process, ZANNA,
DON’T! is set in a world where homosexuality is the norm, and
heterosexuals are considered an oddity. The town is called Heartsville, USA.
All of the characters are homosexual, or so we think, until one bold student
writes a musical about forbidden heterosexual attraction in the army, and
the true, closeted desires of two of the cast members come to the surface. A
world much like our own, save for this twist on statistical norms, the witty
script is full of humor, love, and ironic commentary about social
stereotypes.
With a string of
great songs, great vocals (most notably by Anika Larsen), and sleek comic
performances by the avid cast (including the versatile Amanda Ryan Paige),
this show is an altogether delight. In these uncertain times, a show like
ZANNA, DON’T! is just the sort of professional, escapist entertainment
that we all owe it to ourselves to indulge in.
- Kessa De Santis
-
Don’t just take my word for it!
Here’s a sampling of what our Laurie
Lawson had to say about the initial
production:
A cast that makes
each character more lovable than the last, snappy songs full of
sophisticated humor and heart-wrenching emotion, creative choreography that
promotes clapping and stomping, fast-paced direction that respects the
intelligence of the audience, and a story line so simple and worldly that it
inspires you… …there just may not be enough adjectives to bestow kudos on
Tim Acito's ZANNA, DON'T! …Zanna… gives love a hand and teaches us
all a lesson in the process. And never has learning been such fun! ZANNA,
DON'T! is a hilarious hoot! Each song is a gem, every character a
delight. Go and get yourself a little love; this production's got plenty to
spare.
