Oh, Zanna, Do!
Reprinted from “Curtain Calls #6” by Charlene Baldridge, sdtheatrescene.com, April 25, 2009
THE SHOW: Zanna, Don’t! A Musical Fairy Tale with book, music and lyrics by Tim Acito with additional book and lyrics by Alexander Dinelarius, presented by Ariel Performance Arts and directed by Ira Spector.
THE STORY: It’s like, wow, High School Musical except with a twist. Zanna is your typical high school boy, obsessed with his wand. In his case, however, the wand makes music. It also has magical powers that make people fall in love (everyone that is, except Zanna). Like a divining rod, it leads Zanna to teens that have love trouble. In addition the kids seek out Zanna to help with their love attractions. He’s the high school matchmaker, the love potion mixer, and the go-to guy with the mojo. The other thing one needs to know is that in this society no one is harassed for being gay. Quite the opposite: Being gay or lesbian is the norm. Heterosexuals and heterosexual feelings (woe betide!) must remain in the closet. When the drama students decide to put on a musical about straights in the military, Steve and Kate, who (ugh!) have to kiss in the musical, fall into “the love that dare not speak its name.”
THE PERFORMERS: Spector, who played Zanna in the Chicago production, does a grand job of drawing their best performances from his youthful actors, many of whom have been seen locally but were never more enjoyed. This includes the unstoppable, consistently marvelous Cashaé Monya, who recently graduated Coronado School of the Arts and who last season performed indelibly in Anton in Show Business at Sixth @ Penn and in Christopher Ashley’s production of Memphis at La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle’s Fifth Avenue Theatre. In Zanna, she performs three small roles with cunning dexterity. Others include adorable Shaun Tuazon as Zanna. Remembered as a bright spot in Backwater Blues, he graduates next month from San Diego State University, which seems to be doing something right these days in musical theatre and opera training (see news later in my column).
Spector and Ritchie Diego Valenzuela (who also plays Mike, Steve’s boyfriend) join forces to create bubbly and sometimes sexy choreography. Best dancer of all is Valenzuela, but Trevor Bowles can really shake his booty. Sonia Balanay portrays Kate (she can ride that mechanical bull, all right); Zachary Bryant, Steve; Stephanie Hester, Karla and others; Whitney Shay, Roberta; and Bradley Sattler, Tank, the ubiquitous student announcer. Simon Barrett plays multiple roles.
THE PRODUCTION continues at Roosevelt Theatre, 3366 Park Boulevard at Roosevelt Middle School through May 10. Performances at 7:30 pm Fridays–Sundays, $25–$28, www.zannasd.com or (619) 692-1875.
Production values are minimal, but the verve and sincere efforts of the talent capture the imagination and sweep one into a world where magic is possible, if not forever. Magical is the band—comprising leader Patrick Marion on keyboards, Jim Mooney on guitar and banjo, Oliver Shirley on bass, and David Rumley on percussion—lends impeccable support. Tuazon is credited with the scenic design; Josh Hyatt, with costumes and props; and O.P. Hadlock, with lighting. The production could have used body mikes to advantage, but the cost of good instruments and soundboard would no doubt be prohibitive.
THE LOCATION Those who remember the auditorium from Vantage Theatre days (it is wide and shallow with a inches-high trough between the first row’s floor and the stage) will agree that this is not the world’s greatest venue; however, it beats the tiny space into which Zanna, Don’t! was booked originally.
NOTE You’ve got to hand it to producer Ron Tov, who made it happen despite the loss of the previous venue. In his acknowledgments, he thanks Bob Korbett for initial efforts in bringing about the San Diego premiere of this silly, charming, wonderful musical.
BOTTOM LINE Worth a try, and even if you’re squeamish about guys kissing guys and gals kissing gals, you’ll get over it. My homophobic son did. He and his wife really enjoyed the show.
