Zanna, Don’t!

June 5 – 21, 2009 

Book, Music and Lyrics – Tim Acito
Additional Book and Lyrics – Alexander Dinelaris

This hip musical fairy tale takes place in a topsy-turvy world where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuals must battle anti-straight prejudice.  Set in a high school, the plot revolves around a teenage ‘matchmaker’ and the scandal that erupts when a boy and girl dare fall in love.  The show delivers a humorous and hopeful message of tolerance through an infectious pop-inspired score, hearty dollops of humor, and, of course, a dab of magic!

Director / Choreographer – Steven Meerdink
Musical Directors – Lori Maxwell and Emily Hanson

Scenic Designer – Joshua Stevens
Light Designer – Craig Gottschalk
Costume Designer – Renata Shaffer-Gottschalk
Sound Designer – Collin Sherraden
Rehearsal Accompanist – Emily Hanson
Scenic Construction – Jay Schueller
Stage Manager – Sarah Bauer
Dance Captain – C. Ryan Shipley

Cast
Zanna – Bart Ruf
Steve – Alan Wales
Kate – Anna Carol
Mike – Joseph Bombard
Roberta – Emily Brooke Hansen
Tank / Diner Customer / Tex – C. Ryan Shipley
Candi / Diner Customer / Loretta – Andrea Alioto
Arvin / Diner Customer / Bronco – Andrew Newman

Musicians
Patrick Charbonneau (Guitar)
Emily Hanson (Keyboard)
Kellie Nitz (Bass)
Paul David Stanko (Percussion)

“The show finally made its area premiere Friday night under the auspices of Minneapolis Musical Theatre, and it’s still a delightful fantasy, full of humor, warmth and hope.  The MMT cast tackles this with considerable aplomb, performing to a person with considerable energy and depth.  Leading the charge is Bart Ruf as Zanna, who shows great chops as a singer and brings some unexpected depth to the main character (and shows considerable skill by dancing in high high heels twice during the show).  The balance of the ensemble does a fine job as well, especially Anna Carol and Alan Wales as Kate and Steve, the youngsters who find that their true love isn’t the norm.  Give credit to MMT for bringing this delightful show to the Twin Cities — but don’t dawdle, it only runs through Father’s Day.” CLICK HERE to read the full review! – MinnPost.com

“A sharply tuned Bart Ruf flickers across the stage led by a magic wand that seems to be jerked around by an invisible joy stick in overdrive. He’s Zanna, the fairy matchmaker who seeks true lovers for the students but is ultimately faced with his own daunting blind spot: heterophobia.  Director-choreographer Steven Meerdink channels MTV ’80s rock video style and a vivid sense of character detail mixed with caricatured teen angst. It’s an especially interesting show to watch if you’ve seen other Minneapolis Musical Theatre productions over the past few years because it’s clear that Meerdink has done a superb job of developing younger actors, who have been core to this group, into more mature, sure, and fully realized performances than before. So he should be acknowledged not only for staging a wondrous production in and of itself that will delight whether you’ve seen an MMT show before or not, but for also developing young talent in a time when arts funding has been savagely curtailed.” CLICK HERE to read the full review! – Lavender Magazine

“It’s nice to see that Minneapolis Musical Theatre’s move from Hennepin Stages to the more upscale Illusion Theater hasn’t dampened the theater’s quirky sensibility.  It’s hard to imagine another company having as much fun staging the area premiere of the silly trifle Zanna, Don’t!  MMT delivers a strong production that is wasted on the material.  Steven Meerdink’s direction is lively and fast-paced, finding more heart in the story than is actually there.  His choreography is especially creative and well performed by the entire cast.  Bart Ruf anchors the show as Zanna … his winning manner goes a long way to making the thin material engaging.  As the two romantic couple, Emily Brooke Hansen, Anna Carol, Alan Wales and Joseph Bombard are endearing.  They keep the sentimental story from seeming overly mawkish and have moments that are genuinely touching.  Hansen has the standout voice of the cast.” CLICK HERE to read the full review! – Minneapolis Star Tribune

“Only the most determined curmudgeon would argue with the proposition that life goes better with a little magic fairy dust. Minneapolis Musical Theatre presumably agrees, with its staging of Zanna, Don’t! representing a nicely escapist diversion, a goofy thing with ample charm.  There’s some worthy business here about acceptance and fitting in, but no intellectual heavy lifting comes into play. Instead, we have a lively pop score and a daffy cast that offers some lovely chemistry.  … when the ensemble hits its groove, adding Meerdink’s sturdy choreography, we have the particular excitement of a small-theater gem. For lump-in-throat moments, our four young lovers delivering ‘Do You Know What It’s Like?’ acquits itself handily. Zanna has the sense of being written for a powerhouse in the title role; while (Bart) Ruf hold his own, here it’s a collective effort that pulls us through.”  CLICK HERE to read the full review! – St. Paul Pioneer Press

“The young MMT cast tears into this material with never-let-go gusto. Their acting (aided by the smart direction/choreography of Steven Meerdink) is broad, buoyant, hyper-energized, but never self-conscious. Their singing is truly terrific, precise and on-target. There isn’t a bland voice or a poorly staged musical number all evening. These performers are the real reason to see this show.”  CLICK HERE to read the full review! – How Was The Show.com

This activity is made possible, in part, by funds provided by the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council from an appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature and by the generous support of the PFund Foundation.