A Heartfelt Shoutout to the Glittery Joy That Is Zanna, Don’t!
(Photo: TRW)
by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder
Every so often, a musical comes along that doesn’t just entertain you — it lifts you. It catches your heart off guard and reminds you why you fell in love with theatre in the first place. For me, one of those shows will always be Zanna, Don’t!.
I owe my introduction to this gem to my college friend Kevin, who knew exactly the kind of theatre that would speak to my heart. He handed me the cast album years ago like it was a secret — not because it needed to be hidden, but because it deserved to be treasured. And recently, thanks to a comment on a Facebook post regarding underrated musicals, I was reminded just how much I love this show — and why it still matters.
If you’ve never seen it, Zanna, Don’t! is a 2003 off-Broadway musical by Tim Acito and Alexander Dinelaris, and it’s campy, queer, and unashamedly full of heart. Set in a world where being gay is the norm and heterosexuality is taboo, it follows Zanna, a magical matchmaker with a rhinestone wand and a mission to help everyone find love. Think Grease, High School Musical, and Xanadu had a sparkly queer baby — and it grew up to be a beacon of love and acceptance in the form of a pop-rock musical.
What I love about Zanna, Don’t! is that it dares to be joyful. It’s not afraid of sincerity. In a time when so much theatre leans into irony, darkness, or being “edgy,” here’s a show that says love is beautiful, people are complicated, and the world can change if we choose kindness. It’s a show with glitter in its soul and courage in its message.
And let’s talk about the music. The score is full of catchy, heart-on-its-sleeve numbers like “I Could Write Books,” “Whatcha Got?” and “Sometime, Do You Think We Could Fall In Love?” These songs are the kind you belt in your car with the windows down, or quietly hum when you’re trying to get through a tough day. There’s a sweetness and honesty to the writing that makes it feel personal, like the show sees you for exactly who you are and says, “You’re perfect. Let’s dance.”
Yes, it’s cheesy. Yes, it’s over-the-top. But that’s part of what makes it special. Zanna, Don’t! understands that theatre can be a safe haven — a place where being loud and proud and a little bit extra is not just welcomed, but celebrated.
So thank you, Kevin. Here’s to Zanna, Don’t! — a show that waves its wand and reminds us that being yourself is beautiful, love is powerful, and musicals really can change hearts. Even the glitter-covered ones.