Zanna, Don't!

Northampton Center for the Arts ▪︎ 33 Hawley Street ▪︎ Northampton ▪︎ MA 01060

Welcome to Heartsville High, set in a world where everyone is gay–well, almost everyone! The big-man-on-campus is the chess champion, and the captain of the football team is made cool by being cast as the lead in the school musical. The students write a controversial show called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” about straight people in the military, which becomes the catalyst for a young man and woman to fall in love. Enter Zanna, a magical, musical fairy who, with a wave of his wand, brings true love to one and all!

• Creative Team
• Cast
• Band
• Photos

<

>

Book, Music and Lyrics by Tim Acito
Additional Book and Lyrics by Alexander Dinelaris

Director: Eddie Zitka
Music Director: Benjamin Maniscalchi

Stage Manager: ​Chris Webber

Lighting Design: Carly DellaPenna
​Lighting Operation: Andre Ruiz
Sound Design and Operation: Joshua "Schwa" Hamre
Set Design and Build: Ed Zitka and ​Eddie Zitka

Assistant Director: David Webber

MICHAEL BORGES (Arvin and Others) is a local Latino Actor who has wanted to work with K&E for so long and is beyond grateful for the opportunity to be in one of their productions. While you will often find him performing at Exit 7 Players, you may have also seen him in other theater groups like Westfield Theater Group, or even more recently in a staged reading with Silverthorne. Michael loves expanding his theater family and wants to thank Eddie, Ken, and the rest of the K&E company for welcoming him with open arms. He hopes you have a blast watching this production of Zanna Don't and thinks if you’re reading this during the show, STOP! You’re gonna miss this next part and he’d hate for you to miss it.

RENEE BOULDIN (Kate) is grateful for her debut with KETG! Her recent roles include Sister Mary Catherine in Drinking Habits, Casey in First Date, and Charlotte in These Shining Lives (Suffield Players). She also performed in Footloose and Something Rotten (Exit 7). Renee would like to thank this community for bringing so much joy into her life.

MICHAEL GARCIA (Zanna) is thrilled to reunite with K&E Theater! He radiates gratitude to his cast mates, crew, and the band on this magical production. He is a multifaceted performer, behavioral health counselor, lover of all Rom-Coms, and board member at Silverthorne Theater. Off-stage, catch him crafting ice cream with his wife using their Ninja Creami, gaming on Roblox with his son, or enjoying spooky movies with his daughter. Dive into his whimsical adventures—follow @Heymichaelgarcia on all social realms!

NATHAN HOLBROOK (Tank and Others) he/him  is excited to be in this production about community and belonging! He grew up in Chicago and works as an actuarial analyst. He was most recently seen in Legally Blonde (LTM) and The Drowsy Chaperone (George, WHCT). 

AJ KIRBY (Roberta) is thrilled to be making her K&E Debut in Zanna, Don’t! You may have recently seen AJ as Pamela in UUSGS’ Head Over Heels or as Sherry in Queer Community Theatre’s Bar Dykes. AJ would like to thank the hard working team at K&E, her friends and family for supporting her in every theatrical endeavor. Enjoy the show!

CARINA SAVOIE (Candy and Others) last performed on the KETG stage as Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg in Ride the Cyclone. She is a lover of the arts, an avid painter, and self appointed Michelin star chef (go ahead, just ask her boyfriend). She believes there is nothing that a heartfelt conversation with her mother (or her father's spicy marinara sauce) couldn’t fix. She thanks her loved ones who support her, her cast and crew for making this experience possible, you (the audience) for being a part of supporting and keeping local theater alive, and KETG for bringing innovative and thought-provoking pieces to Western Mass.

JAY TORRES (Mike) was last seen on the stage as Ed in Easthampton Theater Company’s Torch Song and is thrilled to be returning to K&E Theater Group. He would like to thank his loved ones for their support and encouragement, fellow cast and crew for making it all happen and the fun along the way, and everyone who comes to see this incredible show! Happy Pride! 

JOEY VALENCOURT (Steve) is beyond excited and honored to be part of the cast of Zanna Don’t. This is Joey’s first production with K&E. You may have previously seen Joey perform in Opera House Players' production of Rent as Roger in December 2022. Other productions include: Curly in Oklahoma, Melchior in Spring Awakening, Snoopy in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Troy in High School Musical. Joey would like to send a world of thanks and gratitude to the cast and crew for this beautiful experience, as well as his friends and family for being the biggest supporters. Enjoy the show!

JUSTIN RODZEN (Bass)
LAURA ROSS (Guitar)
MITCH TILGHMAN (Drums)

BENJAMIN MANISCALCHI (Music Director/Keyboard)

[PERFORMANCES]
Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Friday, June 28, 2024 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 2:00 PM
Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 8:00 PM
​Sunday, June 30, 2024 at 4:00 PM
- Note new time.

[THEATER LOCATION]

Northampton Center for the Arts
33 Hawley Street
Northampton, MA 01060

FACE COVERINGS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED, BUT OPTIONAL

---

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Arts Council and the Mass Cultural Council.

Supporting Season ​Sponsors