Zanna, Don't! - A Musical Fairy Tale (2003 Original Off-Broadway Cast)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Zanna, Don't! takes place in a topsy-turvy world in which homosexuality is the norm and the minority heterosexuals must battle anti-straight prejudice. Set in a high school, the plot revolves around a teen fairy matchmaker (Zanna) and the hell that breaks loose when a boy and a girl dare fall in love with each other. Thankfully forgoing preachiness, creator Tim Acito manages to deliver a message of tolerance through a whole bunch of poppy, catchy songs, hearty dollops of humor (there's cheering--for a chess match), and, of course, a dab of magic (shades of the 1980 Olivia Newton-John vehicle Xanadu). While the show can be a little too nice at times, it's hard not to be won over by its impish exuberance. Fittingly, in the fall of 2003, Jai Rodriguez, who played the title role, transferred from the show's Off-Broadway run to TV, gaining fame as the "culture vulture" on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Zanna, Don't! - A Musical Fairy Tale (2003 Original Off-Broadway Cast), Music, Tim Acito, Jai Rodriguez, Musicals, Musicals & Cast Recordings, Pop, Popular Music, Rock/Pop

Average customer rating:

great recording of a great show!

Not musically great, but impossible to not smile at

Good . . . but there's better

LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE

Soooo energetic!

Zanna, Don't! - A Musical Fairy Tale (2003 Original Off-Broadway Cast)
Tim Acito , and Jai Rodriguez
Manufacturer: P.S. Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Rock | Styles | Music
General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music
Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000C23I7
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Who's Got Extra Love? - Jai Rodriguez & Company
I Think We Got Love - Enrico Rodriguez & Jared Zeus
I Ain't Got Time - Anika Larsen & Company
Ride 'Em - Shelley Thomas, Anika Larsen & Company
Zanna's Song - Jai Rodriguez
Be A Man - Jai Rodriguez & Company
Don't Ask, Don't Tell - Shelley Thomas & Jared Zeus
Fast - Darius Nichols, Robb Sapp & Amanda Ryan Paige
I Could Write Books - Enrico Rodriguez
Don't You Wish We Could Be In Love? - Anika Larsen, Enrico Rodriguez, Shelley Thomas, Jared Zeus& Jai Rodriguez
Whatcha Got? - Anika Larsen & Company
Do You Know What It's Like? - Enrico Rodriguez, Jared Zeus, Shelley Thomas & Anika Larsen
'Tis A Far, Far Better Thing I Do - Jai Rodriguez
BLOW WINDS - Jai Rodriguez & Company
Straight To Heaven - Robb Sapp & Company
Someday You Might Love Me - Jai Rodriguez
Straight To Heaven (Reprise) - Company
Sometime, Do You Think We Could Fall In Love? - Robb Sapp & Jai Rodriguez
Finale - Company

Amazon.com

Zanna, Don't! takes place in a topsy-turvy world in which homosexuality is the norm and the minority heterosexuals must battle anti-straight prejudice. Set in a high school, the plot revolves around a teen fairy matchmaker (Zanna) and the hell that breaks loose when a boy and a girl dare fall in love with each other. Thankfully forgoing preachiness, creator Tim Acito manages to deliver a message of tolerance through a whole bunch of poppy, catchy songs, hearty dollops of humor (there's cheering--for a chess match), and, of course, a dab of magic (shades of the 1980 Olivia Newton-John vehicle Xanadu). While the show can be a little too nice at times, it's hard not to be won over by its impish exuberance. Fittingly, in the fall of 2003, Jai Rodriguez, who played the title role, transferred from the show's Off-Broadway run to TV, gaining fame as the "culture vulture" on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

great recording of a great show!.......2007-05-07

I saw the show in NYC and am so grateful to have it on CD.

Not musically great, but impossible to not smile at.......2005-10-16

I got this album on a whim, having heard of its unique premise, and planned to listen to it a time or two, then let it migrate to the back of my CD case. That was three weeks ago, and I haven't gone two days without listening to a few songs.

It's not that Zanna, Don't! is that impressive in terms of its actual music. With a few exceptions, notably "I Think We Got Love" and the surprisingly poignant "I Could Write Books," the show relies on novelty and a quick turn of phrase for its entertainment. This would make the show seem trivial if it weren't for its most noticeable chracteristic: its utter, total, overwhelming niceness.

Visit the show's website and you're greeted with a bubble-gum-colored, sparkly vision that makes the average person feel like vomiting. This show is that sensation's musical equivalent, in a more tolerable dose. It's almost too knowing that Zanna's accomplice in the show is a chirping bluebird. The entire show, the singers do nothing but sing peppy, chirruping songs that mention love every other word. I may seem to be criticizing, but the truth is that I can't stop listening to this show.

It may be a harmless, sugary slice of inoffensive pie, but it's irresistable. You will not be disappointed after listening to Zanna, Don't, as long as you don't expect musical genius.

Good . . . but there's better.......2005-03-13

I really like Zanna Don't, the music is fresh and brings a new life into musical theater, but so does Avenue Q. The story of Zanna Don't is something that even if you're not gay, you can relate to. The message is simple, love yourself, then others can love you. The stand-out track is "Someday You Might Love Me" which sums up the basic emotion of the whole musical. There are a few songs that lack a certian something, but most of the tracks are good, and for the most part the whole cast is very talented.

LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE.......2005-01-25

I got this a couple of weeks ago, and I cannot stop listening to it! There is NO ONE in the cast who is weak, and the premise is very clever. I LOVE it. Jai and Anika and Enrico are AMAZING, and it is hillarious. Warnings: Don't expect genius lyrics, it IS supposed to be a very pop-ey score. Otherwise, I like all the ballads, especially the beautiful "I Could Write Books," and "Do you Know what it's Like?" You cannot listen to this without smiling, so get ready to fall in love!

Soooo energetic! .......2005-01-05

Definitely a good cd to have in your Broadway collection. If RENT was rock on the stage, ZANNA is pop on stage. Sometimes it is too campy, but it seems to mock its own craziness. Loved the message of the show and it comes across on the cd. Jai Rodriguez sounds nice on "Someday You Might Love Me" and Anika Larson has a killer belt. You know that this cd is contagious and silly as soon as you see its bubble gum pink cover.

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