zanna coming to b'way- Page 3

[BobbyAL]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 10:27am

Just registered because I was so excited to hear this news!!! Anywho, people have been asking if they changed much, and I have to say yes...even though it still works.

Durning pride fest in Philadelphia, "Zanna!" was playing at the Kimmel Center and my friends and I got tickets. It was a concert version, so no sets or dancing, just singing and reading the lines. The original cast was there (Not Jai, though his understudy was Zanna, and the guy who played Buck was different as well as the guy who played Steve) They were all amazing, especially Anika who just kicks butt in general!

Anyway, they changed the opening and added a lot of songs. If I had a website, I'd post the program info but if anyone else is curious about more let me know and I'll try to provide more info.

I really hope this happens so I can see "Zanna!" with sets and dancing! Not sure about John T. though. I love him to pieces, but he doesn't seem like a Zanna. I think Anika and Robb should come back because I love them both!

Coll

P.S. - The actor who played Steve posted pictures from that night on his site at the link I posted.
James Royce Edwards & Zanna!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 11:50am

um artistically was part of the discussion--can a show like that fill a Broadway house? I believe it can in a smaller house as Ave Q did.

I think John could be great in the role. It's always nice to see things reinvented and thinking outside of the box.

[robbiej]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 12:17pm

The problem with Zanna's original run is the fact that it was a commercial off-Broadway run. For some reason, it has become nearly impossible for a show that isn't a complete gimmick (STOMP, BLUE MAN) to run off-Broadway commercially. It's very, very sad.

Zanna could very well end up transferring beautifully. After all, who thought a show about middle class Jewish New York homosexuals set in the late 70's early 80's would be a hit. But Falsettos ran for what? Two years??

Don't discount it until you at least see the ad campaign!

[JaiRoAngel]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 1:55pm

OOOH how exciting! I love Zanna, Don't. That would be beyond amazing if J-Tart (even though I heart Jai) does the show. I would certainly have to check it out.

Oh and on a side note.... I saw the original Steve, Jared Zeus, as Skye on the Mamma Mia tour. We walked past him in front of the theater after the show and I was sooo tempted to start singing "excuse me please but it seems I've lost my way" lol. He probably would have thought I was a freak.

[Alix]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 2:01pm

Welcome, BobbyAL!!! Nice to have you with us :)

Alix

[BobbyAL]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 2:08pm

Thanks Alix!

[dididda]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 2:17pm

bobbyal, welcome indeed. what were the names of the new songs and what are they like? how is the new opening? also, any plot changes or any clue of why they dropped dont form the title?!
sorry to pester with question, but im just super curious

[BobbyAL]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 2:52pm

Thanks, dididda! I'll do my best to answer your questions, but if you don't wanna know, don't read on...

Well, I didn't see the original Zanna, Don't (Off-B'way), but I knew the CD and read stuff online so when we saw the concert (Which, I forgot to say, was dubbed a Broadway preview) I knew stuff was different.

The begining is Kate and Steve sining, almost Grease-like. That songs called "Last Night of Summer" That goes into Extra Love. After Ride Em, Kate and Steve sing again "Last Night of Autumn" Cindy, the blue bird, is gone. Some lyrics were altered (Like in 'Don't you wish...' and 'Do you know...' and 'Someday You Might Love Me' was changed to 'Someday You Might Remember')

Candi (Amanda Ryan Paige) was given a song titled "Me!" and a reprise to her song. Kate and Roberta have a little duet called 'Superwoman' that I loved! Tank got a song. Some of the order of the songs was switched around.

Like I said, I never saw the original, but I think they changed the character of Tank. From the album, I understood him to be a happy, optimistic DJ, but the character we saw was very negative and always warned Zanna to use his magic responsibly. He still secretly loves Zanna, though, and sings "Outside Your Window" before Zanna performs the spell.

Overall, I liked it because I was so happy to see it. I really do hope it comes to Broadway so I can see a whole production and I hope they don't change the cast too much. I was starting to think the whole Pre-Broadway thing was a lie until the articles popped up.

Hope I helped, and if you'd like to know more, I'll do my best to remember.

Coll

[BobbyAL]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 2:52pm

sorry, accidently posted twice! Updated On: 11/2/04 at 02:52 PM

[Alix]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 3:54pm

I never saw the off-B'way production either but that sounds pretty different! Thanks for posting :)

Alix

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 6:39pm

Do you think it will pull an "Avenue Q" and beat out all the other musicals at the Tony Awards for the whole enchilada?

[NStar21]

Posted: 11/2/04 at 10:38pm

I hope Zanna does well because I really did enjoy the Off-Broadway run of it but I have a bunch of friends who went to see it with all the changes and they didn't like it at all. And these were people who LOVED the Off-Broadway version. One of them said that in by making it longer, it seemed like there was a lot of fluff that just wasn't needed that one of the popular songs was cut but I don't remember which one they said. But that test trial was awhile ago and hopefully whatever changes they've made to the show will do it well.

[fakeblue]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 7:43am

Yes,that's true. I saw off broadway version (John houseman)and Philly version.Philly(Pre-Broadway Premiere)was pretty long...like 3 hours lol !!!!

so I believe off broadway Version was better for me.
it seems like that they wanted to explain about character's background.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 9:40am

Yuck!!!

[scotty]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 2:10pm

Yeeeeash! Sorry guys. I hate to bring the mood down a notch, but I would love to hear the appeal of this musical. I have heard the recording twice, and am not impressed by this turkey!

[NStar21]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 4:56pm

I found it to be one of those shows you had to see to really appreciate it because of the way it was put together. For starters, the cast had a lot of chemistry that really made their scenes and the show come alive. Also, the jokes throughout the show are probably better appreciated with a live audience. The direction and choreography in the show was extremely well done, I didn't think there was one poorly directed/cheorgraphed scene. For example, Who's Got Extra Love had so much going on but not too much and all the characters were playing different people and having the morning commute/school day come alive. There were cute little tricks throughout that part (and the musical itself). I Ain't Got Time, had great choreography that had the audience dying. Be A Man when Jai or whoever else played Zanna came out hitting those high notes the whole crowd went wild but besides that, the way the scene in general was put together was fantastic. It was just funny. Don't Ask, Don't Tell was ridiculously dramatic in the beginning but then when it has to be serious towards the end, it really hit home with the audience. Again, I could go through all the songs pointing out really good moments but it's something that I got out of seeing the show, not listening to it. Whatcha Got was another entertaining one, so yeah, I loved it because I saw it and walked away with more than just the music but how the show was put together as a whole. I also know the recording is different from the stage production, well, some parts are. I haven't listened in full to the recording, so I wouldn't know but I'd just suggest checking out the show when it hits Broadway but then again, it will be a completely different show.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/3/04 at 5:48pm

I think the songs are fun. I think the lyrics are great. I think the story is interesting and poignant. I think the voices are terrific.

[masterthes]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 8:57pm

Hey guys. I would love to see this if Shelley reprises her role. I would be so happy if she makes it on Broadway. Now, I'm not trying to brag here, but I went to high school with her and had the pleasure of sharing the stage with her on a lot of shows and she deserves to have her name in lights.

[barts]

Posted: 11/7/04 at 11:22pm

I loved Zanna Don't and am thrilled that it's finally going to come to Broadway. BTW, creator Tim Acito is the cousin of Marc Acito, author of my current favorite book, How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship and Musical Theater. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it because it is laugh out loud funny. And let's keep our fingers crossed for Zanna. In today's difficult B'way climate, any producer that can get a show mounted deserves a round of applause.

BTW, I posted a link to an interview on TheaterMania.com with Marc Acito. He's as witty there as he is in the book.
Theater Mania

[SuddenlyTrey]

Posted: 11/11/04 at 5:24pm

I am very excited as well to hear about Zanna. I love the show but I hope the revamping will work for the betterment of the show and not ruin it in any way. I heard that Zanna's 11 o'clock number, Someday You Might Love Me, is being pulled. Anyone know anything about this? I would hate that, unless they have assembled a better song to replace it. I also hear Buck and Candy will be deleted from the show...any thoughts? As long as "Whatcha Got" is still in tact I will be ok.

[SuddenlyTrey]

Posted: 11/11/04 at 5:31pm

BobbyAL, thanks for your info. I'm so excited. I love the pictures too. I am curious about John Tartaglia as well. I love him too but I question his Zanna. Roger Bart is getting older but I would love to see him as Zanna.

[bwaybaby2]

Posted: 11/11/04 at 6:40pm

I am SOOOO EXCITED about zanna... mike is one of my favorite roles and all his songs are by far the best in the show.... Ok, i LOVE john t as much as the next person... really, he is AMAZING AND SOOO CUTE AND blah, blah, blah, but i dunno... i dont see him as zanna... He s not that girlie. jai was such a girl, i mean like; his voice, his body, everything. i think jt would play it too straight... hope that makes sense...

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 11/11/04 at 7:53pm

John Tartaglia playing Zanna too straight?

Have you met John Tartaglia in person?
I love John to death, but no one needs to worry about him playing Zanna too straight. John is a living breathing Zanna himself!!! And oh so talented as well

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 11/11/04 at 7:54pm

hahahahaha. that was aspiring's tactfulw ay for calling J-Tart "flaming"

[aspiringguy715]

Posted: 11/11/04 at 7:56pm

I'm definitely not trying to judge John at all. Let me get that out of the way. I love him!

BG2 just put it in laments terms lol