Theatre Horizon was home to the world premiere reading of Zanna, Don't (the Reboot) on both Thursday, June 29, and due to popular demand, has added an additional show tonight, June 30 at 7:30PM as part of the company's 42nd and Main Concert Series. Scroll down for a look at the cast in action!
"The show forces us to think again about who has been left out of our country's beloved iconography-not just LGBTQ people, but also women, people of color, religious minorities, and the economically disadvantaged," Acito said of the revision of his show premiering at Theatre Horizon. "On a more personal level, the show asks us to think again about the damage we can do to ourselves and to others when we run away from problems instead of facing them head on."
The original show, set in a parallel universe high school where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuality is taboo, has been heavily revised. Approximately 40% of the new Zanna, Don't score has been re-composed, and the vast majority of the dialogue is also new. Acito says that the main characters now have clearer goals, backgrounds, and relationships. One of the biggest changes is that the lead character, Zanna, is now pangender.
"Perhaps above all, the show wants us to think again about what else we can aspire to be, beyond sexuality or gender identity," Acito said. "While those are two central aspects of human identity, of equal or greater importance is discovering what we stand for-morally, personally, and politically."
The all-star cast includes Broadway's Cassie Okendka (School of Rock, Bonnie and Clyde, Wicked first national), Teri Furr (Gypsy starring Tyne Daly (June),Beauty & the Beast, Les Miserables), Rusty Reynolds (Miss Saigon, Funny Girl, Big River national tour), and Kevin DeJesus-Jones (Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark).
Part of the unique nature of the performance is Theatre Horizon's "Pay What You Decide" initiative. The company wants to encourage more people to come and see unique and conversation-generating works at Theatre Horizon, more often. Pay What You Decide not only allows guests to pay what they can afford, rather than a fixed ticket price, but also removes the financial risk of buying a ticket for a show in advance. As always, tickets will be available to book in advance, but there is no obligation to pay until after audience members have seen the show. They can then decide on a price which they think is suitable based on their experience. All money collected will help Theatre Horizon. At the end of the show, guests can decide what to pay, either by cash at the door or by card at the Box Office.
In addition to Pay What You Decide ticket option, Theatre Horizon is also offering a Premium ticket option ($50-75) for the June 30th performance. A premium ticket is a reserved best seat in the house, and includes access to an exclusive post-show discussion and dessert reception with Zanna Don't creator Tim Acito and members of the cast.
Tickets can be booked at theatrehorizon.org. It is suggested that guests have arrived and collected tickets 15 minutes before the show starts in order to secure seats.
Teri Furr, Pamela Shandrow, Rick Desloge, and Rusty Reynolds
Christina Higgins and Camille Young
The Ensemble
Sarah Braverman and Cassie Okenka
Rocky Paterra, Cassie Okenka, and Camille Young
Kevin DeJesus-Jones and JorDan Dobson
Patrick Clanton, Theresa Kloos, and Kevin DeJesus-Jones
Cassie Okenka, Sarah Braverman, and Ensemble
Rocky Paterra, Brian Massey, and Ensemble
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