Lo ~ 23 ~ She/Her ~ Aquarius ~ ISFJ Chilling at school in Chicago to teach the kiddos ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Musicals man musicals ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Some day I'll be living in a big old city, and all you're ever gonna be is mean.
"i asked chatgpt" "i asked grok" well ive spent all of my life searching the words of poets and saints and prophets and kings and now at the end all i know that ive learned is that all that i know is i dont know a thing
Clint in the vents and that’s his whole personality because he wasn’t fleshed out in the movies → Ava in the walls and that’s her whole personality because she wasn’t fleshed out in the movies
Thor eating poptarts and overusing proper words because English isn’t his first language and he’s the comedic relief → Alexei eating Wheaties and overusing proper words because English isn’t his first language and he’s the comedic relief
Natasha pranking and laughing at everyone from the sidelines because fanon decided she’s just silly like that → Yelena pranking and laughing at everyone from the sidelines because canon decided she’s just silly like that
Bruce being a sweet, soft-spoken, unassuming guy but also the most fucking unhinged monstrosity if you catch him on a bad day → Bob being a sweet, soft-spoken, unassuming guy but also the most fucking unhinged monstrosity if you catch him on a sad day
Steve being handed the de facto title of goody two shoes leader despite being the LAST person on board with this → Bucky being handed the de facto title of goody two shoes leader despite being the last person on board with this
Tony being a big-mouthed asshole that’s secretly haunted by his past mistakes which involved publicly supporting the US military via PR stunts as a weapons manufacturer → John being a big-mouthed asshole that’s secretly haunted by his past mistakes which involved publicly supporting the US military via PR stunts as a weapon himself
the thing that fucks me up about mhe is thinking about the possibility of their story being a loop until claire dies. they can fall in love again and again and claire can wipe her memories again and again. and oliver will pretend to lose his memories every time so he can get to know claire over and over until she's gone. maybe oliver tries to convince claire to not wipe her memories. maybe oliver deletes one version of their story. but no matter what they can fall in love over and over for a year.
maybe happy ending is great because it said "fuck the trope that all non-humans are autistic coded. oliver has robot autism. but only oliver" and i really appreciate that
WELCOME TO PART 2!!!! IF YOU HAVEN'T READ PART 1, YOU CAN FIND IT RIGHT HERE!
LETTERS
- Opening instrumental! Letters start falling from the ceiling! One landed right next to me so I actually have a letter?!?!
- It was like an open mic karaoke. There is a mic at centre stage. For the soloists, Natasha, Pierre, Mary & Anatole, they would go up to the mic & sing during their bit.
- I didn't realize how individual & staggered the 'ha ha has' were for backing vocals. The ensemble's voice is so powerful, and like it just pushed the intensity of the song, and I was just so captivated by the sound of the backing.
- Such a side note but the backing vocals of Letters is my favorite out of the entirety of Comet because of its complex simplicity.
- "Dolokhov is recovering." This man flashes us with his fishnets and we were like YEAHHH WERKKKK!!!!!
- Each character is holding a copy of the letter throughout, like they're inspecting the content then holding it out in some little letter choreo. & the majority of them are stood on the balcony watching the main trio below singing their bit in the first half of the song.
- But they're all down by the time the trio finish their trio harmony bit & Anatole steals the spotlight!
- "NATALIE, NATALIE, NATALIE!!!" Natasha is gushing & squealing so much throughout this whole section, she's so cute honestly!!!
- And Jamie's vocals. Need I say more??
- "I write the answer to Princess Mary/ I've been unable to write all morning." Mary is walking across the balcony, opening the letter, and she starts off smiling. Knowing what was coming next, I was absolutely shattered.
- As Natasha sings the contents of the letter, we can see Mary reacting to it. Her face falls and everything, then she runs off clutching the letter.
- Love that the cast pick up the letters to clean the stage as the scene is going on, but they're fixed on the task, like nothing will deter them until they've collected every damn letter.
~
SONYA & NATASHA
- Sonya looks more angry than saddened by this whole ordeal as she reads the letter.
- "Would you think so badly of me?" SASS SASS and SASS. Natasha turns away from Sonya and flips her hair at her, then bats her eyelashes while looking over her shoulder at her.
- Natasha is just kinda done with Sonya here since she's got Anatole which was really sad :( I can't believe you Natasha.
~
SONYA ALONE
- I cried as soon as the opening chords played.
- Beautiful, heartbreaking, soul-crushing, awe inspiring. Need I say more????
- Maimuna, the singer that you are, you gorgeous beautiful performer. I have not heard a voice like hers. The sheer power of it? You have to hear it live.
- The tears, the raw emotion!!! She was shedding tears!!!!! I done cried. I couldn't hold it in.
~
PREPARATIONS
- Give me some time to cry after Sonya Alone gEEZ.
- Opening instrumental, Anatole is sat on a box, Dolokhov and Helene are wheeling him in. I love this trio. They're so dramatic.
- Pierre is drinking. Are we surprised?
- "Ah, Anatole, where are you off to?" Dolokhov and Hélène duck behind the box, spooning almost, to hide from Pierre's eyeshot. They're sort of giggling, trying not to roll about and move too much.
- Dolokhov is out here doing all the work. Like, good for you, sir. What a king.
- I heard a sniff and turned. Why the fuck is Hélène doing coke? And then offers some to Dolokhov while Anatole is off singing about how this will all be a good ol' successful plan!! (Spoiler: It won't)
- Hélène looks so tired in this song, like she's long been done but also happy for Anatole since she's also helped with the plan. Girl had a big stack of cash to give Anatole but like, she was so done.
~
BALAGA
- "BALAGA IS HEREEEE." OH MY HOT DAMN. Balaga comes strutting down the aisle on our left in the most exquisite leather fit, and coat and oh my god - HE WAS JUST WOW- POWER WALK, POWER STRUT WERK IT
- This was like a lil Burlesque number with the feathered fans and the dancers. They're out here being dragged around on the box with Balaga while the ensemble is just going ham with these feathered fans.
- Holy shit. Full belt?!?!?!?!?!? Possibly the most incredible number in the show.
- Balaga?!?!?! HOLY FUCKING SHIT. MR TENOR SIR WHAT.
- HE HAS HAS THIS LITTLE BIT DURING "Jumped my troika right into the air!" TO RIFF HIS HEART OUT. INCREDIBLE. AND THE BAND GIVE HIM HiS MOMENT!!!!!!
- OFC HE TAKES THE MOMENT FOR THE APPLAUSE BEFORE GOING BACK WITH, "And I never ask for rubles!"
- Anatole's "WOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH." gave me goosebumps down to my soul.
~
THE ABDUCTION
- Before I begin, they did the off bway version of this. And i actually didn't realize it until i was on my way back, listening to the Abduction on Spotify, remembering every detail until it got to Pierre's "here's to happiness, freedom & life."
- My bestie & I could not stop bopping our heads to it. How could you not? It's the best song in the show. (I say that for like every song.)
- "Goodbye, Matryoshka. Kiss me one last time." HE EXTENDS HIS CHEEK TO SOMEONE IN THE AUDIENCE, ASSIGNING HER MATROYSHKA. WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU REFUSED TO GIVE ANATOLE A KISS ON THE CHEEK????
- The audience went "aawwwwhhhhhhh :(((" when Anatole was rejected, and he pouted at the lady who just laughed.
"Remember me to, Stelshka." Dolokhov goes up to the guy beside 'Matryoshka' and pours him a shot, making him wait for a cue.
- They continue to sing as an ensemble and when they would sing of Matryoshka and Stelshka, they would point at them and cheer! SO CUTE.
- "NOW DRINK." The cast drink then look at Stelshka, pointing at him and he drinks it to which they all cheer!!!
- "WAAAAAIIIIIIiit. First we have to sit down." All of them just sit where they are, and Anatole takes the big box centre stage. Balaga sat on this old guy in the corner, and everyone just kept giggling.
- Anatole waiting til the giggling stopped. It did not continue literally until the giggling stopped and it was fully quiet.
- "WHEN THEY REACH THE GATE, DOLOKHOV WHISTLES." HE FUCKING WHISTLES SO LOUDLY, INSANE.
- Anatole climbs up the pole in an attempt to get up to the balcony but of course, the most iconic part.
- "You will not enter my house, scoundrel!!" WHY THE FUCK DOES MARYA HAVE A FUCKING DOUBLE-BARREL SHOTGUN????
- Have I mentioned that I love Marya D.????
- "BETRAYED. BETRAYED." Dolokhov and Anatole are scrambling for their lives. I would too if Marya pulled a shotgun on me. I have no doubts that woman will shoot.
- My memory is failing me but I believe that this is during the transition between this and In My House but the Soldier & the Bride appear again, just walking from the left aisle and through Natasha. The symBOLISM!!
- Natasha literally splits them in the middle as they walk past her, showing her that it is her own fault that the union has been broken, and she looks so hurt when she realizes the severity of the situation.
~
IN MY HOUSE
- Natasha is literally screaming as Sonya holds her back, but Natasha is trying so hard to reach for Anatole who's running away.
- Annette's Marya is so much more patient that Grace's Marya. It was "I'm not angry, just disappointed." But lawd, she is a momma on a mission.
- Sonya, stop making me cry gurl :,,((((((( She really trying her best to help Natasha here and save her so so desperately.
- Sonya literally tucks Natasha in when she shuts everyone out, but Natasha won't speak to anyone at all. :((
~
A CALL TO PIERRE
- The audience member next to me mouthing each "whaaaattt?" was the funniest thing ever.
- Truly, the only bit there is to tell is the "whaaaaaat?" they were so well delivered. so deadpan, so tired, but equally becoming more and more invested.
~
FIND ANATOLE
- This man is on a mission. He's hustling around Moscow, and I love that they use lighting to show us where he's at.
- He goes upstage right for the club, and only that corner is lit up in the colors of the club which were purple and green from the Duel.
- God, I love tech.
- "NATASHA, nATASHA." I have never seen Anatole more frenzied in my life. He looks a mess as he's clambering around stage for Natasha before Hélène comes swooping in to comfort him.
- I needa say, Hélène's robe in this was the most exquisite thing I've ever seen." It's the flowy sort, transparent, fluffy at the ends. I love it.
- "Be quiet, I will not greet you.." At this, Hélène laughs and she leaves the scene. She can't even defend Anatole from him anymore so she gives up on this fight, let's Pierre have at Anatole which is so sad honestly.
~
PIERRE & ANATOLE
- Right off the bat, so much fear in Anatole. This is probably the most self-aware he's ever been.
- I wonder why they didn't brawl at "seize you by the collar with my big big hands." They only did at "When I tell you I must talk to you" -
- Anatole squeaking and squealing as he's being flung around, poor guy but also like, man, don't do what you do.
- "hAVE YOU ANY LETTERS OF HERS??" Anatole whips out a stack of pink letters that look so glittery, all written by Natasha. Girlie got some style with those letters.
- When Natasha takes the arsenic, it's very quietly. You kinda needa catch it since it's in the corner of the stage, and your eyeline would kinda be like "should i look at pierre & anatole, or natasha?"
- two ensemble members are holding the arsenic and water for her. which is crazy.
- "And if you require money for your journey." It's presented to Anatole like it's a choice. To stay here for Natasha or leave for Petersburg.
- during this, natasha is lowered to the floor slowly with the big teddy bear, where she just rests throughout the rest of the song.
- There's a pause as he evaluates. He literally glances at Natasha who is asleep on the floor with the big teddy then at Pierre holding the money before smiling as he takes the money.
- After the most delicious note of 1812, Anatole literally drops the 'flower' (which was just a bracelet) that he'd taken from Natasha during 'Natasha & Anatole', by her unconscious body on the floor before strutting off.
- I kinda wish there was that bit from the Bway version where we see Hélène mourning Anatole's absence. But she doesn't even get to say goodbye to Anatole
~
NATASHA VERY ILL
- This was so haunting. Sonya appears on the balcony and sings to the audience. There's no life in her eyes as she delivers this, just so much pain and grief.
- "And Andrey is to return..." Andrey walks onto stage, and he's waiting.
~
PIERRE & ANDREY
- Pierre eventually arrives at the scene to meet Andrey.
- They stare at each other for a good while, like in disbelief, as they poke fun at each other. Then they have the sweetest embrace.
- "Here are her letters.." When Andrey gives his letters to Pierre from Natasha, they're also very pink and very glittery, all tied up with a ribbon.
- This song never used to stick out to me (tho, I'd still never skip) but seeing this live, it was so raw. The emotion and the depth in it. Andrey literally came back to the war to find out that he isn't betrothed anymore, like - You can see the exhaustion in his eyes.
- Pierre equally looking so torn because this is his best friend, and he's acquainted with the Rostovs, so he doesn't know where to stand.
- "Then he smiled like his father/ Coldly, maliciously." It didn't feel like he'd smiled our of cruelty, but more in the way he didn't know how to react properly, that all he can do is just smile it off in disbelief and anger. THE LAYERS.
- "If you wish to be my friend, never speak of that again." Andrey waits for a response, and Pierre gives the smallest nod. And Andrey just bids him goodbye.
- There was nothing bitter in his farewell, but just heartbreak that is so well portrayed. Like, the way Pierre & Andrey portray this old friendship, trying to rekindle but equally stepping on all these eggshells, the actors play it so well, I'm just in awe.
- This is why I love Dave Malloy's musicals. There's so much written into them, you just have to find it as a performer, and as an audience.
~
PIERRE & NATASHA
- During the opening lines, Pierre made eye contact with me and just sang the whole verse at me while I'm just staring at him like :0 I've never held eye-contact with a person that long in my life. I'm glad it was with Declan Bennett.
- The simplicity of this song!!!! The broken chord of the piano!!!! SO MUCH RAWNESS, PURE THEATRE.
- Natasha was wearing the fluffiest bathrobe and the fuzziest shoes. I loved that for her so much.
- You can imagine how this scene goes. But they're just dancing around each other. They don't go near to each other, not until Pierre gives Natasha the letters.
- Then they sit by one another at "she began to cry..." He watches her go first before joining by her side very awkwardly.
- Then there were the only spoken words in Comet... "If I were not myself.."
- He speaks these words beside Natasha, not quite looking at her, and her back is facing him. It's such a vulnerable moment for the both of them.
- Pierre doesn't break the intensity of it as these words just come straight from his soul. Not a second thought, just truth. Even he looks surprised by his own words.
- Then Natasha finally looks at him, and she's smiling as she sings, "I weep tears of gratitude/ tears of thanks.."
- "And glancing at Pierre... Oh, Pierre." She stands and just gazes at Pierre with such admiration. The tenderness in this moment was enough to make me cry.
- "Outside, my great broad chest/ breathes in deep the air." As soon as we got to this line, I was crying my eyes out because I knew the show was about to end & it is going into the most beautiful song known to mankind.
~
THE GREAT COMET OF 1812
- As Pierre sings his solo bit, the rest of the cast walk onto stage from the aisles slowly, joining him as they gaze at the sky for the comet.
- Hélène walks by us & she looks at me with this firm gaze but there's something almost mournful about it. Like, I held my breath as she maintains that eye contact before looking away.
- And also, it's Hélène Kuragin, I love her.
- There really is nothing much to describe about the scene other than how much of a pleasure & a joy it was to listen to this live. The fullness of the harmonies, the simple staging of it and just the impact of gratitude I felt getting to see this show live.
- All I can say about this this song is that you just have to listen to it live.
~
BONUS: AFTER THE SHOW
- I was still crying so hard after bows, the guitarist noticed and was having a little giggle. when the play off finished, the guitarist had to ask if I was okay by giving me a thumbs up.
- Because it was New Year's Eve, we only got to meet an ensemble member (Andrew Berlin), Natasha (Chumisa Donford-May) and Mary (Chloe Saracco)! They were all so lovely!!
- We met Chumisa first. She came up to my bestie & I and asked if we were waiting, but we didn't want to hold her back so we asked her for a quick autograph.
- I kid you not, I whipped out my War & Peace (it's got comets on it), and she gasped. She said it was a lot of pressure signing it because she didn't want to ruin it!! What a sweetheart :,,)))
- I also told her that I was going to see her in Here We Are at the National Theatre in April, and she was so touched by it; she thanked me for going to see it. Bless her.
- Then next was Chloe!! (Who we later found out was a friend of a friend!) She was in a rush so we were speedy. We asked if she was okay to sign to which she accepted. Again, very surprised by my bigass copy of War & Peace. Loved it.
- Then we met Andrew!! He stuck around for quite a while to talk to us about the show!! He mentioned having seen the Bway production in NY and LOVED it, but was like "I thought to myself, I don't think I'd ever be in Comet. :(" And here he is!!!!!
- We saw Sonya (Maimuna) on the other side of the entrance but she was going a different direction and we didn't want to hold her back. Andrew started gushing about her and it became massive Sonya appreciation hours.
- I asked him to sign my War & Peace, obviously, and he was so impressed. Apparently I'm the only person who's ever done that. Gotta thank my bestie for encouraging my antics.
- He loved the cover so much, he said he was going to treat himself to a copy to which I referred him to the exact bookshop I got it from.
- After so much chat, he let us go because he thought he was the one holding us back. We could've just kept yapping. So so so incredible.
And that's it for my Comet adventures. I'll def be coming off and on to edit this as I start to remember more for sure.
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