Don’t Miss Zanna Don’t!
Reprinted from “Community Theatre Beat” by Paola Hornbuckle, sdtheatrescene.com, April 25, 2009
Zanna Don’t! A Musical Fairy tale has to be one of the most delightful, ingenious and entertaining musicals around; it also packs a wallop of a social message that is stunning in its simplicity and impact. This musical explores how it feels to be homosexual by presenting a world where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuality the outrage. The theme is ever so gently explored in a humorous, bubble-gum musical filled with adorable songs about first love, heartbreak, and longing—but you can’t miss the powerful lesson underneath the shiny veneer.
Heartsville High is a high school where everyone is homosexual. Zanna, the local student/fairy godfather, is also busy solving love problems with his magical wand. The feisty senior class dances and sings their way through problems with crushes, unrequited love, and attractions. They also decide, after much controversy, to do a musical about (gasp) allowing heterosexuals in the military for their school theatre program. In the musical a male student, Steve, has to kiss a female student, Kate. This kiss in performance leads to a heterosexual attraction between them that baffles them, breaks their partners’ hearts, and brings the condemnation of the school board as “different sex couples are not allowed to go to the prom.” Finally, Zanna decides to place a spell on Kate and Steve that will make the world safe for heterosexual couples, . . . “Nothing done out of love can ever do us harm,” says Zanna hopefully.
Shaun Tuazon is the perfect Zanna, actor and role merge wonderfully. He is adorable, charismatic, oozing cuteness from every pore highlighted by his megawatt smile. He is also a very humane character, unselfishly solving love problems, denying his own feelings for someone already taken, and sacrificing all at the end. Zachary Bryant as Steve is the military brat wanting to fit in, who finds love with Mike (Ritchie Diego Valenzuela) only to find out he is really heterosexual when he falls for Kate (Sonia Balanay). Bryant is a great mixture of deadpan humor and vulnerability, easily traveling between the homosexual and heterosexual worlds. Valenzuela is funny, touching and endearing as he is mesmerized and later heartbroken by Steve. Balanay does a wonderful transformation from bookish student, to physical temptress in a song performed on top of a mechanical bull, to a doomed lover Romeo-and-Juliet style as she falls for Steve. Whitney Shay is hilarious and lovable as the feisty, no-nonsense Roberta who is heartbroken by Karla, falls in love with Kate, and is heartbroken again. In fact, one of the most touching songs in the musical is “Do You Know What It’s like?” sung by Steve and Mike, Kate and Roberta. Those who are in love lament, and those who are not lament just as much, “not to be in love with you, to see what I know you don’t see in mine (eyes).”
Cashae Monya as Candi, among other characters, is a powerhouse of voice and attitude. An excellent character actress she brings Candi, the status conscious student council president much personality and humour. Stephanie Hester, as Karla, and Trevor Bowles, as Arvin, do wonderful jobs. Hester has an understated sassiness and Bowles a great feel for physical comedy. Simon Barrett as Officer Klotsky, among other characters, does a fine job. Bradley Sattler as Tank, the omnipresent DJ, is a perfect mix of enthusiasm and adolescent geekiness his radio announcements connecting all the scenes.
Zanna Don’t! is seamlessly directed by Ira Spector, the dance numbers are just wonderful, young and vibrant. The acting, dancing, and singing scenes flow with an overload of creativity. Amy Dalton and Patrick Marion do an outstanding job as musical directors. The set is very cute and colorful, full of bright colors and youthful designs, as are the costumes. The lighting creates a fairy tale atmosphere, making the stage seem glamorous and lush. Truly a wonderful must-see show. The show is playing until May 10 at the Theatre at Roosevelt Middle School, 3366 Park Boulevard in Hillcrest. For tickets call 619-692-1875 or visit www.ZannaSD.com.
Review by Paola
