Overview
Welcome to Heartsville High, set in a world where everyone is gay—well, almost everyone! The big-man-on-campus is the chess champion, and the captain of the football team is made cool by being cast as the lead in the school musical. The students write a controversial show called Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell about straight people in the military, which becomes the catalyst for a young man and woman to fall in love. Enter Zanna, a magical, musical fairy who, with a wave of his wand, creates perfect matches and spreads love throughout the school.
This musical comedy isn’t just fun and quirky; it’s a timely exploration of love, identity, and societal norms. In a world where LGBTQ+ issues continue to be front and centre, ZANNA, DON’T! offers a refreshing, imaginative take on relationships and acceptance, making it not only an entertaining experience but also a piece that resonates with today’s audiences. With catchy tunes, witty dialogue, and an empowering message, ZANNA, DON’T! celebrates love in all its forms and invites everyone to embrace their true selves.
Casting & Production
Casting
ZANNA — The heart and soul of Heartsville; a hip, fun-loving matchmaker, driven to make the world better, even if he doesn’t always fully think through his choices (tenor/baritone to high G)
STEVE — The new guy in town; All-American high school football hunk, but self-effacing and shy; hoping desperately to fit in, his dreams will be alternately fulfilled and shattered (baritone to E-flat above middle C)
KATE — Sweet, innocent over-achiever who, like Steve, is not quite prepared to have her world thrown upside-down (belt to C, plus a few other higher notes mixed in)
MIKE — All-around cool guy; captain of the chess team, which makes him king of the school, but with a humble appreciation of the simple joys in life, like finding that one special guy to settle down with (tenor/baritone to high G)
ROBERTA — Tough as nails on the outside, a hopeless romantic on the inside; perennial unlucky in relationships, she heroically, and comically, never gives up her pursuit of true love (belt to high F)
TANK — Zanna’s sidekick, and the school DJ; somewhere between nerdy and ultra-cool, he’s also hopelessly in love with Zanna; doubles as a DINER CUSTOMER and also TEX (tenor/baritone to high G)
CANDI — The school’s narrow-minded busy-body, the one you love to hate; doubles as a DINER CUSTOMER and LORETTA (belt to C, plus a few other higher notes mixed in)
ARVIN — Candi’s browbeaten sidekick; a nice guy who just sort of goes with the flow; doubles as DINER CUSTOMER and also BRONCO (baritone to E-flat; should have a few low notes as well)
Note: all are seniors in high school, and should be cast as multi-culturally as possible.
Orchestral Information
4 Musicians
Piano/Vocal (Piano/Conductor)
Guitar (Acoustic, Electric)
Bass (Electric)
Percussion
Credits
ZANNA, DON’T!
Book, Music, and Lyrics by TIM ACITO
Additional Book and Lyrics by ALEXANDER DINELARIS
Originally produced Off-Broadway by Jack M. Dalgleish in association with Stephanie A. Joel New York Premiere presented by Amas Musical Theatre: Rosetta LeNoire, Founder; Donna Trinkoff, Producing Director Orchestrations and Arrangements by Edward G. Robinson
Media
- Who's Got Extra Love?
- I Think We Got Love
- I Ain't Got Time
- Ride 'Em
- Zanna's Song
- Be A Man
- Don't Ask, Don't Tell
- Fast
- I Could Write Books
- Don't You Wish We Could Be in Love?
- Whatcha Got?
- Do You Know What It's Like?
- 'Tis A Far, Far Better Thing I Do
- Blow Winds
- Straight To Heaven
- Someday You Might Love Me
- Straight To Heaven (reprise)
- Sometime, Do You Think We Could Fall In Love?
- Finale
Authors
Upcoming Productions
Loveland Stage Company
Loveland, OH
Resources
