From Xanadu to Zanna, Don't!: Thomas to Star in Benefit Concert | Playbill

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News From Xanadu to Zanna, Don't!: Thomas to Star in Benefit Concert As previously announced, a concert performance of Zanna, Don't!, featuring several members of the original Off-Broadway cast, will be presented Feb. 3 at the Theatre at St. Peters Church.

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Marty Thomas

A benefit for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, the 7:30 PM concert will be co-directed by Jen Waldman and Steve Pacek with music direction by Rich Silverstein.

Casting is now complete for the evening, which will feature recent Xanadu star Marty Thomas in the title role with several original Zanna Off-Broadway actors reprising their roles: Amanda Ryan Paige (Great American Trailer Park Musical) as Candy, Enrico Rodriguez (Rent, Big) as Mike, Robb Sapp (Wicked, Enter Laughing) as Tank and Shelley Thomas (Brooklyn) as Kate. The company will also include Michael Kadin Craig (Altar Boyz) as Steve, Katrina Rose Dideriksen (Jerry Springer the Opera) as Roberta and Troy Valjean Rucker (Jesus Christ Superstar) as Arvin.

Zanna, Don't! was penned by Tim Acito (with additional music and lyrics by Alexander Dinelaris). The 2003 Off-Broadway production won the Lucille Lortel Award for Best New Musical and a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding New York Theater Production. (Zanna premiered at Amas Musical Theatre before it moved Off-Broadway.)

Zanna, Don't is about romances in a high school where gay is the norm and where straight kids are shunned. The title character is a magical matchmaker with a wand that directs him to those who ought to be in love.

Bryan Guffey, Griffin Parsons and Mike Cruz are producing the concert; all proceeds will benefit GLSEN. Marty Thomas has appeared on Broadway in Xanadu, The Secret Garden and Wicked. He is a Grammy-nominated recording artist who was named the 1992 Junior Vocalist champion on the original "Star Search" series. His self-titled solo CD is now available. Visit martythomas.com for more information.

The Theatre at St. Peters Church is located in Manhattan at 619 Lexington Ave at 54th Street. Tickets, priced $50, are available by visiting www.glsenstore.orgl or by calling Solonje Burnett at (646) 388-6589.

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GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, is the "leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students."

 
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