Broadway Dreams Foundation to Stage Reimagined ZANNA REDUX

The Broadway Dreams Foundation (BDF) will reimagine the big- hearted pop musical, Zanna, Don't! for a whole new generation of theatergoers. The modern version of the show, which debuted Off-Broadway in 2002, will be retitled Zanna Redux. BDF students and alumni will bring the musical to new life with an updated script and new songs during a workshop process this summer. The students will collaborate with author Tim Acito and director Allan Souza in a highly educational, professional workshop setting. The organization will then tour the material to schools throughout the country before producing a NYC production.

"We're producing Zanna Redux, along with Tim Acito, because we believe in the project and the message it conveys to both the students who participate and the audiences who experience it," said BDF Executive Director, Annette Tanner. "Our organization believes in bringing unparalleled educational and creative opportunities to students across the country so they can fulfill their dreams. Zanna Redux does just that - it promotes acceptance and the ability to live your truth and follow your dreams."

BDF has launched an Indiegogo fundraising campaign in order to raise the funds needed to hire the creative team, launch a national school tour, and cover the costs of the workshop process in multiple cities with multiple students. For more information, click here.

Zanna Redux, with a book, music, and lyrics by Tim Acito, takes place in Heartsville, USA, a wholesome Midwestern town known for its civic pride, good old-fashioned family values. And an all-gay population. When two high school seniors are discovered to be secretly heterosexual, the town is thrown into chaos, hearts are broken, and everyone is forced to confront the biggest questions of today - What do I stand for? What is America? And will this magic wand clash with my prom dress? Thoroughly ironic and shamelessly sincere, this big-hearted fable mixes pop, rock, funk and techno to remind us that finding ourselves requires remembering those we've left out. Zanna, Don't! debuted Off-Broadway in 2002 at the Rodney Kirk Theatre before playing London's West End and productions internationally.

The Broadway Dreams Foundation is a premier, national performing arts education program dedicated to ongoing engagement, inspiration, and access regardless of a student's ability to pay. With a faculty of Broadway stars, directors and agents committed to giving back to the theatrical community, BDF provides invaluable training to anyone who aspires for a career in the performing arts. The unique program offers students highly personalized and supportive mentorship, an exciting, and collaborative learning environment and ongoing networking to build confidence and life skills. The Broadway Dreams Foundation provides a life changing experience. In 2014, 43% of all BDF students participated on full or partial scholarship.

BDF offers weeklong performing arts intensives in cities throughout the country. During each intensive, attendees will receive first-rate training in acting, dance and vocal technique before performing alongside their Broadway idols in a dynamic concert directed by one of the industry's finest directors. Students will also learn how to improve their audition skills and have the opportunity to audition and perform for top NYC casting directors and agents, all of whom offer valuable feedback.

The Broadway Dreams Foundation takes great pride in guiding students through their professional journey as young artists, giving them the tools, support and industry connections they need to succeed. In the past several years, over 60 BDF students have landed roles in Broadway, national touring and regional productions, including Beautiful The Carole King Musical (Aisha Jackson and Noah Rickets), The Book of Mormon (Paris Nesbitt), Violet (Emerson Steele), If/Then (Ryann Redmond), Holler If Ya Hear Me (Ariana Groover), Annie (Gabby Bradbury), Evita (Katie Huff), The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Lindsay Roberts), Motown the Musical (Rodney Earl Jackson, Galen Williams, Melanie Evans), Barry Manilow's Harmony (Greg Kamp), and more.