by Steve Eskew

Once upon a time there existed a fantasy planet whose inhabitants flourished on same-sex solidarity and where straight people were ostracized for their taboo lifestyles. SNAP! Productions brings this festive musical fairytale to laughable life with its current offering, Zanna, Don’t, with book, music and lyrics by Tim Acito.

Zanna (Stephen Michael Shelton), the resident magic-matchmaker of Heartsville High School, would make Dolly Levi (Hello Dolly!) blush big-time. Specializing in teen unions, Zanna gaily waves his wand and unites the impertinent Roberta (Caitlin Mabon), with prim and proper Kate (Megan Van Alstine). With another swish of the phallic stick, Zanna links football star Steve (Jerry Woiderski), with chess champion Mike (Dan Chevalier). Since people on the chess team are considered sex symbols, Mike relies on his popularity to convince the drama department to try something a little different with this year’s musical: How about doing a show that exposes the student body’s rampant lack of tolerance for heterosexuals, addressing such relevant issues as heterophobia, opposite-sex marriage and accepting straights in the “all-merry” military?

Meanwhile, due to a vicious complication, the horrified students soon become hysterically aware that Mike’s boyfriend and Roberta’s girlfriend are playing footsy. Yes, Steve and Kate have fallen from grace, descending into a depraved opposite-sex liaison with each other.

Without boarding a soapbox, Acito has created an exceptionally clever vehicle to advocate the virtues of tolerance. The second act is about three songs too long, but thanks to impeccable pacing, the time simply flies by. Unafraid to exploit stereotypical characterizations, the show is honest, clean and very funny.

Shelton blazes onstage drenched in screaming pink and manic energy. As the show’s unifying glue, he oozes enchanting warmth and credibility into a noble character who makes an incredibly unselfish sacrifice (that won’t be given away in this space). Shelton radiates particular effectiveness on a poignant number titled “Someday You Might Love Me.”

Sporting a lavender jersey, pink helmet and white peddle-pushers, Woiderski wins the audience over from the outset, amusing one and all, as he pantomimes catching his own football pass in slow motion. He’s well paired with syrupy sweet Van Alstine. Mabon’s brisk brassiness hooks the audience at the get-go and Chevalier is a natural born comic. His vocal rhythms show innate skill, surpassed in excellence only by his gift for physical comedy.

The accomplished and incomparable Todd Brooks serves superbly as the show’s director, musical conductor, publicist and (along with Loyal Fairman) set designer. As stage director, Brooks exhibits particular finesse at pacing the show’s boundless and vital reversals.

All the designers, technicians and prop people deserve huge kudos for extraordinary accomplishments in a show that must have been a holy beast to assemble. As talented as each of the aforementioned may be, the performance would have never extracted the cheers it earned on preview night if not for the show’s grand ensemble, too numerous to cite in this space. The best musical numbers and choreography all occurred during the ensemble’s huge production numbers, scattering an abundance of spirited life across the stage while the audience went wild with laughter and applause, demonstrating that all humankind has a right to live and love, and a humane obligation to let others do the same. ,

Zanna, Don’t continues through Sept. 16 Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. Exception: The Sept. 16 show starts at 2 p.m. at SNAP!/Shelterbelt Theatre, 3225 California St. General admission is $15; students, seniors and TAG members $12. Call 341.2757 or visit snapproductions.com.

Review: Zany 'Zanna' gets message delivered
BY BOB FISCHBACH
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Published 8/30/07

"Zanna, Don't," precisely the kind of small musical SNAP Productions has long excelled at, delivers a heavyweight message about tolerance for same-sex couples with a fun, funny and featherweight touch.

When your matchmaking title character wears a pink spandex shirt and pink tennies, and waves a magic wand with a mind all its own, lightness is just what's called for, and just what director Todd Brooks' cast delivers in this high school fable with a peppy score.

Spritely, dimpled Zanna (Stephen Michael Shelton) zips around Heartsville High, where same-sex couples are the norm. He gives the shy and the desperate a little nudge toward romance.

But he's no better at pairing others than he is at finding someone for himself.

Chess champ Mike (Dan Chevalier), the school's most popular guy, has eyes for lowly new football quarterback Steve (Jerry Woiderski). Trouble is, Steve has repressed feelings for brainiac Kate (Megan Van Alstine). But Zanna has paired Kate with aggressive waitress Roberta (Caitlin Mabon).

It all comes to a head at the raucous chess championships, where a moment of euphoria leads to a ( gasp) heterosexual kiss.

Tim Acito and Alexander Dinelaris' witty script repeatedly scores laughs off this upside-down world, with its all-girls intramural mechanical-bull-riding team (guys in wigs do double duty) and a controversial school musical within the musical that advocates heteros in the military.

The point is effectively made with laughs rather than preaching, silliness in place of a soapbox.

As Zanna, Shelton takes deadly comedic aim with his line deliveries and hits the target with personality to spare. He's just as good at a moving ballad, "Someday You Might Love Me."

Chevalier, a gifted physical comedian with bug eyes, had the crowd roaring with laughter at a nothing line, "Well, here we go," followed by a running takeoff. Woiderski nailed a hilarious bit in which he catches his own desperation pass to win the football game. Mabon's flirty but angry Roberta was a crowd favorite, too. "I'm sweet," she growls, and no one disagrees.

Van Alstine, playing a straight woman in more ways than one, joins those three in one of the show's vocal highlights, "Do You Know What It's Like," a double duet of broken hearts in which lush harmonies and solo countermelodies intertwine.

Patrick Roddy's clever, well-rehearsed choreography spans country, disco, jitterbug and more, while Brooks and Loyal Fairman's simply illustrated storybook set flips pages for quick scene changes. Kevin Steward's costumes ( camouflage hot pants, outrageous wigs) add colorful fun. Brooks leads a trio of keyboard, bass and drums that sounds tight.

The show runs 2.5 hours, including intermission, and a Sunday crowd stood through an extended curtain call.

Copyright ©2007 Omaha World-Herald®

Theatre Review: 'Zanna' a fun surprise
Council Bluffs Daily Non-Pareil
Kim Bousquet, Staff Writer
08/30/2007

OMAHA - I never thought I'd say a musical that featured a camouflaged costume - complete with hot pants and pink fringe - was charming. But SNAP! Productions' "Zanna Don't!" was full of charm, great one-liners and catchy music. The show was an off-Broadway hit, and from the near sell-out crowds it had on opening weekend (even for a Sunday evening), I suspect it will fair well here too.

Stephen Michael Shelton stars as Zanna, a self-proclaimed love sleuth, who helps his fellow classmates and friends find love. In Zanna's world, same sex relationships are the norm and chess champs are high school studs.

A typical plot-point in musicals, a young couple falls in love in spite of what is acceptable in society. In this tale, the star quarterback, Steve (Jerry Woiderski), falls in love with mechanical bull-rider, Kate (Megan Van Alstine). Their love stirs up controversy, not only for the blatant heterosexualness of it all, but because the two were in relationships already.

In the end, Zanna comes to the rescue and love (and tolerance) wins out. It doesn't end as you would expect, but I'll leave that as a surprise for you at the show.

Along with this quirky storyline, there is some great music to listen to. Live music was provided by a band on stage featuring Todd Brooks, Vincent Krysl and Desiree Andersen. There were some clever lyrics within the variety of song styles the musical features. The song "Fast" was funny and impressive, featuring the rapid-fire vocals of Jeremy Gillmore, Katie Spicka, Scott Fowler and Jenny Priesman. Some of the slower numbers were nice compliments to the mix, including "I Could Write Books" (featuring Dan Chevalier as Mike) and "Do You Know What it's Like?" (Chevalier, Woiderski, Van Alstine and Caitlin Mabon).

As Zanna, Shelton's voice had remarkable control and clarity. He and his fellow cast mates, Woiderski and Mabon (Roberta), stood out from the vocally talented cast. Chevalier was another standout particularly for his entertaining knack for physical humor. Keep an eye on him throughout the show for a laugh. And when he is in a scene with Mabon, it gets even funnier.

Most of the characters were extreme caricatures of the typical crop of kids in musical theater, and they are well aware that they're characters in a musical. There are cheeky references to other musicals. As caricatures, you're not going to get a lot of character development, but what you do get is pretty entertaining.

The cast was huge, especially for such a small venue like the Shelterbelt Theater. Somehow, the director Todd Brooks and choreographer Patrick Roddy made it work. No toes were stepped on at the show I attended.

The costumes were memorable and quite a few drew laugh-out-loud reactions from the audience. The set was a unique story-book approach, where scenes change as "pages" were turned or wheeled off stage. It's a nifty, one-of-a-kind set courtesy of Loyal Fairman, though the opening scene might conjure up images of the opening scene in "Hairspray" (intentionally).

Along with an exceptional cast, there was a large crew helping pull off this musical.

"Zanna Don't!" runs through Sept. 16 at 3225 California St. in Omaha. Show times are Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 6 p.m. On Sept. 16, the show is at 2 p.m. The theater opens a half hour before curtain. Reservations may be made at (402) 341-2757 or at www.snapproductions.com. Tickets are $15 or $12 for students, senior citizens and TAG members.

©SW Iowa News 2007

The UNO Gateway
Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Arts & Leisure

Imagine a world where being gay was the norm, the star chess player got all the girls and magic wands could help love grow. Welcome to the world of Zanna, Don't!, SNAP Production's latest musical.

Directed by Todd Brooks and produced by Scott Fowler, Zanna, Don't! takes place in an alternate world, mainly focused on Heartsville High School and its students. Zanna is a magical matchmaker who has no problem meddling with his friends' love lives, but never makes time for his own.

His penchant for pairing hits a snag when Star Quarterback Steve and Resident Brain Kate fall in love. This creates a whole mess of problems because Kate is dating a girl named Roberta and Steve is dating a guy named Mike.

Stephen Michael Shelton plays Zanna with real heart. A bundle of energy onstage, Shelton sings with a strong, clear voice and infuses every scene he's in with life.

But Shelton isn't the only one that shines. Jerry Woiderski holds his own as Steve, the resident jock who has trouble fitting in, and who finds himself in love with … uh-oh … a girl! Woiderski brings vulnerability and warmth to his character along with some great singing.

Caitlin Mabon is a hoot as Roberta, a girl as outspoken as she is altruistic. Mabon brings sass and comedic timing to her character but also plays Roberta with depth. Mabon owns every song she sings and is light on her feet during the play's dance numbers.

The choreography of Patrick Roddy is stellar and fits perfectly for this funfest of a musical. The play's music is a get-you-dancing-in-your-seat mix of pop, disco and techno. No matter how hard you try, you won't get some of the songs out of your head. The numbers range from borderline-raunchy fun ("Ride 'Em") to heartbreaking ("Someday You Might Love Me").

The sets and costumes are as fun and bubbly as the songs, and the cast never lets the energy drop, bouncing you from scene to scene. There were some faltering voices here and there, but the show is otherwise polished.

If you're looking for a fun night of musical theater, head to the SNAP Theatre while you've still have time to catch this well-directed and produced musical.

Zanna, Don't! runs until Sept. 16. Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 6 p.m. on Sundays with a 2 p.m. performance on Sept. 16. The SNAP Theatre is located at 3225 California Street and tickets are $12 for students. Call 341-2757 for reservations and more information.

Staged
David Williams - Omaha City Weekly
8/30/07

I have seen the future of community theater and its name is Stephen Michael Shelton.

OK, so that claim may be a bit much. But you might forgive the hype when you consider that the oh-so talented Shelton does, after all, seem to be just about everywhere of late as he amasses one rave review after another … or when you consider that his awards resume is becoming something of a surging juggernaut, what with being recognized for his work in “Biloxi Blues” at the Playhouse during the 2005-2006 season and now double nominations this past season for “Jeffrey” (SNAP!) and “Six Degrees of Separation” (Blue Barn).

Seemingly coming out of nowhere only two years ago (in actuality, the Council Bluffs native is merely returning after going to college and living in Iowa), this always-working overachiever’s street cred has reached the point where he was invited to do “Jeffery” without having to bother with such mortal trifles as auditions and the like.

Oops … now I’ve gone and done it. This was supposed to be a review of “Zanna, Don’t,” the queerlarious rock and roll musical from SNAP! at the Shelterbelt Theatre, but I’ve gone and blown my word count. Hold on tight as I attempt to make up for lost ink … Shelton (fabulous), Dan Chevalier and Caitlin Mabon (ditto on the fabulous), Patrick Roddy’s choreography (again, fabulous), and an ensemble of great voices (you guessed it, fabulous) all add up to a sure fire hit (in a fabulous kind of way) for director/musical director Todd Brooks.

“Zanna, Don’t,” a deliciously campy cross between “High School Musical” and “The Boys in the Band,” is simply a must-see show.

– D.W.

Oh, and that bit about seeing “the future of community theater?” It’ll probably never happen. After all, it’s a good bet that the irresistible pull of brighter lights in bigger cities will prove all too alluring for Stephen Michael Shelton.

Center Stage: Actors will work for food
Council Bluffs Daily Non-Pareil
Loyal Fairman, Staff Writer
08/23/2007
Last Friday night after rehearsal for "Zanna Don't" at the Snap Theatre, the producer overheard the cast say they were headed to Mama's Pizza for an after-rehearsal snack. The producer of the show, taking advantage of the moment, told them he would buy the pizza and deliver it to them at the theater if they would stay and do some painting on the set. They took him up on his free food offer and stayed until two o'clock in the morning painting. I am sure they did a little goofing off along the way, but he did get some much-needed painting done.

The cast is very young for this unique musical that opens this Thursday night. Most of them I had never worked with before. I have found them very willing to help me in my capacity as technical director for the production. Actors don't have to do double duty on a production; they put in countless hours of rehearsals long before I get in the theater to start working on a set. With Snap sharing production space with the Shelterbelt Theatre the turnaround time is very short.

Working with director Todd Brooks and producer Scott Fowler has been a rewarding experience. These two veterans of the Omaha theater scene are willing to roll up their sleeves and work lots of hours for the success of the production. Brooks is doing the directing, musical direction, playing keyboard in the band and lots of painting on the set. Fowler is acting, producing, painting and assistant directing.

Last Sunday was tech Sunday, an extremely long day for the cast and crew. For me, it started at 6:50 a.m. when I opened the door to the theater and greeted Joe Basque, a board member for Snap, who was starting to prepare the turkey for the meal for the cast and crew on Tech Sunday. All theaters have a meal on Tech Sunday.

At 12:30 p.m. the cast arrived and began warming up vocally with the music director. Within an hour the cue-to-cue tech rehearsal began. This rehearsal just runs through all the set changes and Liz Kendall, the lighting designer, works on the light cues. The rehearsal is a stop and start and lasted until after 6 p.m. That was a little longer than had been anticipated. At that time the turkey, which had been smoking since 7 a.m., was ready to be eaten by a cast and crew, who still had a complete run-through ahead of them.

The rehearsal Monday night had a major delay with the storm and didn't start until almost 9 p.m. The cast and crew took the whole thing in stride and worked very hard until after 11 p.m.

After months of planning and weeks of rehearsal, "Zanna Don't" opens tonight at Snap Productions at 33rd and California in Omaha. The box office can be reached at (402) 341-2757.

©SW Iowa News 2007

Published Thursday | August 23, 2007
Tolerance is the message in musical
BY BOB FISCHBACH
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

In the summer of 2000, composer-lyricist Tim Acito heard a country-western love song on the radio. Acito, who is gay, began to daydream about someday turning on the radio and hearing such a ballad sung from one man to another.

Starring in SNAP Productions' "Zanna, Don't" are, clockwise from top, Stephen Michael Shelton, Jerry Woiderski and Megan Van Alstine.
Soon Acito was writing tunes of every genre in that gay context: rhythm and blues, disco, funk, pop-rock. And the fairy-tale world of "Zanna, Don't" was born.

In that upside-down high school world of Heartsville, USA, the chess champ is big man on campus, the lowly football quarterback is a nobody, and same-sex couples are normal. It's when a boy and girl fall in love that trouble starts brewing.

Omaha's SNAP Productions has been waiting for years for the amateur rights to "Zanna, Don't," said Todd Brooks, who is directing with assistance from Scott Fowler.

"The show makes its point with a lot of humor," Brooks said. "In putting the whole issue upside down, it leads the audience to ask: 'Why wouldn't that be acceptable?' Everybody can relate to the dilemmas going on."

In notes he wrote for the Web site theatricalrights.com, Acito says anyone who grew up feeling different, "which as far as I can tell means just about everyone," should be able to relate to his musical.

Tolerance is the message, Brooks said, which fits SNAP's mission statement of promoting diversity and acceptance.

"Zanna, Don't" opened off Broadway in 2003, starring Jai Rodriguez of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." It won favorite off-Broadway musical in the Broadway.com audience awards.

Brooks and Loyal Fairman designed the set, a giant storybook, to keep things light and colorful. Brooks also is the show's music director, with choreography by Patrick Roddy.

Acito has gone on to write "The Women of Brewster Place," a musical based on Gloria Naylor's novel, which will premiere at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., in October.

Copyright ©2007 Omaha World-Herald®