11th Hour Theatre Company to Kick Off ZANNA, DON'T! October 5-7

11th Hour Theatre Company kicks off its Next Step Concert Series with the quirkily charming musical Zanna, Don't! on October 5-7 at the Caplan Studio Theatre at the University of the Arts (211 South Broad Street). Directed by 11th Hour's Associate Artistic Director Steve Pacek, the production features an ensemble cast of 11th Hour favorites including Laura Catlaw, Marissa K. Hines, Adam Hoyak, Joe O'Brien, Nick Park, and Candace Thomas, and introduces the 11th Hour debuts of Michael Linden and Bren Thomas.

Performances are Saturday, October 5 at 8 PM; Sunday, October 6 at 3 PM; and Monday, October 7 at 7 PM. Tickets are $25 for general admission, $15 for students and industry, and are available at www.11thhourtheatrecompany.org or by calling 267-987-9865.

Zanna, Don't! is a different kind of "happily ever after," set in a parallel universe where homosexuality is the norm and heterosexuality is taboo. The musical takes place at heterophobic Heartsville High in the center of America. Zanna is the school's matchmaker, bringing together happy couples until the football team's quarterback and the captain of the Girls' Intramural Mechanical Bull-Riding Team begin to discover their feelings for each other.

"Last year's sold-out inaugural season of the Next Step Concert Series showed there is a great hunger among Philadelphia audiences for enjoying concert versions of little-known or seldom-seen musical gems. The Next Step Series is the perfect form for us to experiment with shows whose production demands may be beyond our capacity," said Producing Artistic Director Michael O'Brien.

The Next Step Concert Series continues with Lizzie: In Concert (November 23-25), The Secret Garden (February 8-10), and Side Show (March 15-17).

11th Hour Theatre Company, now in residence at University of the Arts, is dynamic, boutique company committed to producing high quality musical theatre that favors intimate, story-driven musicals over flashy, budget-busting spectacles. Now in its ninth season, the company has presented eight Philadelphia premieres and has received thirty-one Barrymore nominations and seven awards, including two consecutive awards for "Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical" (The Bomb-itty of Errors, The World Goes 'Round) and several individual artist awards.

For further information, please call 215-735-7356.