#shubert ally

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Happy Valentine’s Day!!! 💕💕💕

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Happy 1 year on Broadway, Anastasia! Here's to many more years at the Broadhurst! 🥂💜

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Anastasia Stagedoor (1.27.18)

Immediately after the show ended, we skedaddled outta there to get to the stagedoor (which was a lot slower than you would think). When we got there, I was able to stand one person away from the fence, and close to the end. The people around me we're really cool, and I enjoyed listening to their conversations on the shows they'd seen. The girls directly in front of my was really nice and stepped aside so I could get pictures and my playbill signed. I'm super grateful for the stage door experience at Anastasia.

I always here about stories that support the title of nicest stage door — and I can confirm that everything said is true!

The first person to come out was Caroline O'Connor. Since I was at the end of the line, it took a while for her to get to me. In the meantime, Amy Castro came out of the second door that's a little ways down to the left of the stagedoor. She took a couple pictures and signed a couple things, but unfortunately I wasn't one of those people before she walked off. I know getting her signature and picture is rare, but I feel lucky for being able to see her at all! While Caroline was about halfway through the line, Nicole Scimeca came outside. After those two, it was maybe 3-5 minutes and then Lyrica Woodruff come out of the stagedoor! I hadn't heard many stories of her, so I was really excited to see her. Right after her, Max Von Essen stepped out and I loved that he felt so at ease with the crowd. Idk, it was just nice to see him feel so accepted by the fans as their new Gleb. WHEN DEREK SHOWED UP THE CROWD WENT CRAZY. I felt like he was a little rushed, but he was very patient, and anybody who wanted something signed or a picture, he did. People gave him gifts, and he stopped to admire them and put them in his backpack. Last but definitely not least, Christy Altomare came out!! The crowd literally went crazy. She spent so much time with every single person, she was outside for literally annother hour. It was funny that as she went down the line, it completely emtied out as people left. Instead of going to the next person after signing, she ASKED them if they'd like to get a picture. If that isn't Broadway royalty, I don't know what is.

I'm going to list the exact interactions I had with each cast member now. + My experience with Nicole at BroadwayCon on Friday (January 26, 2018).

Caroline O'Connor — I asked her to sign my Playbill, which she did, and then asked for a picture. Her exact words were, "Oh I remember you! You were in the front row!" I was like, "Yes I was! You were amazing" and that's basically it 😂 sidenote. Her voice is really soothing, whatever accent she has, I absolutely LOVE.

Nicole — (1.26.18) She showed up at the Royal Romanovs' Meetup and helped Nia host the game. Afterwards, I asked her for a picture. She's so adorable and sweet (takes after Christy, I'm sure!) And then signed my Broadway program. I told her that I was seeing Anastasia the next night, and couldn't wait to see her perform. She then just smiled at me and nodded :)

(1.27.18) I asked her to sign my Playbill, and idk if she recognized me or not, but I think so because I was wearing the same hat I had worn to BroadwayCon the day before. (It's a had I made myself that says #DimaTheDinosaur).

Lyrica Woodruff — She was wearing this really pretty hot pink winter coat, which everybody complimented on, and signed my Playbill. It was really cute because she actually writes her full name in penmanship, so it took her a little later nher to write it fully out, and then I asked to take a picture :)

Max Von Essen — When he got to me, I had my Playbill all ready for him, and I told him how great I thought he was in the show, and that I loved his cat. I was able to get a picture with him, and I'm pretty sure he said something else to me, but rn I can't remember 😩 The girls next to me were telling him how much he looked like Victor Garber, and he was like “Oh my God! I seriously get that a lot! Like, he’s the most frequent one I get” He was so cute and funny and he seemed genuinely happy to be interacting with all of us. Oh, he also joked about how after Anastasia, he’d take over Victor’s part in Hello Dolly! next door 😂😂

Derek Klena — Like I said before, he seemed a little rushed, so basically he signed my Playbill and took a picture with me. I was a little disappointed that he didn't recognize my hat since I'd sent him an identical one for him on his birthday in October. But I'm not complaining bc I'd fantasized about meeting him for forever and it was still amazing 😩😍😍😍

Christy Altomare — Now for the moment I'd been waiting for. To be able to talk to the goddess herself! It was past midnight by the time she got to me, but she didn't act tired, or weary at all, which I'm sure she was. She was as energetic and smiley and happy as always. I said how much I loved her, and they show and she said I was so sweet. I gave her a hug, then told her that I had something for her, and started explaining my Letters Project to her. He eyes got really wide and she goes, "Wait, hang on— are you saying that EVERY Anastasia fan wrote a letter and you copied it down?" And I clarified saying that every fan who submitted one, I wrote in the book for them." Her reaction was absolutely priceless as I explained that there were over 50 letters in there to her, Derek, John and the rest of the cast. She proceeded to until the ribbon and opened the book right there. I said that everybody's social media is in there too, and that there's an envelope explaining the whole project (which she promised to read). She said that she'd give it to John and Derek and that it will circulate the Broadhurst Theatre so everybody gets to read their letter. My dad then said, "Joy, let's get a picture" and she responds, "Oh my God, you're name's Joy?!" And I nodded, smiling, and Christy goes, "oh my God, I love that name— it's so fitting for the occasion!" And then we take the picture and she hugs me again and my life was 100% complete 💜

Tbh I was a little sad that I didn't get to see a couple people...

John Bolton — because he comes from my area, and Davy Mack had told me to mention that facg to him if he stagedoored :(

Zach Adkins — I wish he had stagedoored as well, because he is so active on Instagram, and really connected to the fans, which I love.

Molly Rushing — Just because I love her, and would have loved to give her a hug :)

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my aesthetic 💙💜

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Anastasia Act I (1.27.18)

I guess the best way to analyze the first act, is to go by each musical number.

Prologue: Once Upon A December — Nicole is adorable. The little accent she has for the part is so sweet, and they connection between her and Mary Beth is clear. Lauren was so… Chilling. Her whole Tsarina demeanor was very cool, collected, and distant. Especially to her mother-in-law.

Last Dance of the Romanovs — Again, the dancing scene was perfection. Molly, Lyrica, Shina Ann, and Sissy were gorgeous 😍 and their dancing was so poised and graceful. But you could also tell they were sisters having fun at the ball. One of my favorite historical parts is when Alexei falls, and everybody gathers around him. (Because Alexei was a carrier of hemophilia). When that shot is heard, and the plot “darkens”, the whole mood shifts. That red projection with the soldier silhouettes holding their guns and flags is chilling. You can feel how scared they are, and my heart stopped when Molly ran back for the music box and another shot is heard when it goes dark.

Rumor in St. Petersburg — The orchestrations 100% sets the mood for the atmosphere of Leningrad. When I first saw Derek step onto the stage, I literally gasped out loud. Max is an incredible Gleb (lo key like him better than Ramin 😬)

In My Dream — ugh, the chemistry between Christy and Derek is so real omg. I love the progression of their relationship from untrusting to falling in love 😍 Ofc Christy slayes this song. when Christy goes “You don’t know what it’s like not to know who you are…” she get’s in Dmitry’s face, fierce and so strong as she tells him that he’s not the only one who’s coming from a rough place. That She’s struggled through more than him, and yet still remains optimistic.

The Rumors Never End — I love whenever the ensemble sings together, the whole theatre reverberates from their voices ahhhh

Learn to do it — So. Much. Fun. John and Derek take the cake for this one. It’s so fun and energetic, and I almost forgot that it was different than the soundtrack version. I love the whole dancing scene. Especially when Derek pretends he can’t dance, it’s so funny bc it looks so awkward and then John joins in and they waltz and polka around the stage. And then the part when Anya goes, “I’ve had it, and I hate you both…” Instead of sounding angry and upset like she does on the recording, she sounded more tired and just finished with it all. Vlad was marvelous with comforting her, yet at the same time encouraging her to literally ‘learn to do it’!

The Neva Flows — MAX VON ESSEN IS AMAZING. PERIOD. The emotion he puts in this song is so heart wrenching. The whole scene between him and Anya is so sad tbh. She has no interest in him whatsoever, and is even a little scared of him. But poor Gleb pitifully tries to impress her, and flirt a little. The end of the scene, when he grabs her arm before she leaves and says, as Gleb, be careful. And then as a soldier, be very very careful. Auhhhjjjhhhhshsj

The Neva Flows (Reprise) — These scene transitions are so quick effortless, I love the mood shifts, as well. It can go from the fun of Learn, to the deepness of Neva, then the longing in Petersburg.

My Petersburg — This was one of the songs I was looling the most forward to. Right before this song, Anya and Dmitry fight his old “partners in crime” and Christy is so darn cute ahhhh!! I feel like Derek picks her up so many times during the show (she’s literally so tiny I love her 😍). Derek is so energetic, and really shows that Dmitry loves Petersburg and feels that it’s what had made him what he is today. The projections changing as they move through Petersburg!!! Ughhh, I just eally really loved this whole scene and song.

Once Upon A December — This whole scene is hauntingly beautiful. Whenever Anya has flashbacks or dreams to her past, shadows and illusions bounce all over the set. Everything about this even is graceful and almost floating… It’s a wonderful parallel to the animated movie’s scene. When Anya opens the music box, she’s almost in a trance. You could hear the concern creeping into Dmitry’s voice, especially when he goes, “Anya…?” (Picture the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade performance).

A Secret She Kept — I really wish all these reprises were included in the cast recording… But I get that without context, it makes some of them hard to understand if you’re listing to the soundtrack standalone.

Stay, I Pray You — Constantines voice oh. My. God. I thought he wasn’t going to be on as Count Ipolitov, but he was and he is so frickin talented!!! I didn’t cry (which high key surprised me) but the emotion was felt all the same. In my opinion, this song IS the most emotional and moving song in Act I. The historical meaning behind it can’t NOT choke you up. Something I caught, was Molly plays a pregnant mother, with Nicole as her child, and (normally James) Dustin as her husband. It was heartbreaking to see an actual f=growing family so sad and fearful during that scene.

We’ll Go From There — Another song I was looking forward to see!! John talking about Lily is so sweet and funny. The rotation of the train, and the projection in the back ground we’re synched perfectly and I honestly believed that they were moving. The whole ensemble blends together seemlessly which I loved.

Traveling Sequence — Oh my gosh, this is probably my favorite song that got left out of the cast recording. I especially loved the Hartford version of this song. But the desperation of Gleb to succeed at his job; to do is father right, and the Trio to get to Paris is very strong here. The phrase that comes to mind to escribe the scene is “close, but no cigar”. They’re so close to what they want, but so far away and they’re literally and figuratively running out of time.

Still — I really like Max’s version of this song over Ramin’s. Where Ramin was a little rougher, and harder, Max has more conflicted emotions at the surface which really translates into his singing really well.

Journey to the Past — I love the little intro onto this song, when both Vlad and Derek are calling to Anya. Idk why, but I smile whenever I hear it. The thundering applause after Christy hits that end note is so satisfying to hear! Omg, the whole audience was under Chisty’s spell 😍

END OF ACT I

Final notes:

1. Something I really noticed from my first row seat, is whenever the ensemble was singing, I could especially hear Molly Rushing and Lauren Blackman. Their soprano voices are so distinct it’s hard to miss… Or maybe it’s because I know each cast member by face and name 😬😂 either way, I thought it was so cool that i could pick out each person by their voice.

2. ‎Another cool thing (which could sound gross of your not a fan lol) I could literally see them spit when they sang. Not the most glamorous detail, but I thought it was cool that I was close enough to see.

3. ‎Following that slightly gross pattern, Derek was so close I could see sweat on his forehead. Just details like that were just cool to be able to see.

4. ‎The set and costume changes were so fast. I’m like really in awe of how smoothly everything ran. Those two revolving door sets we’re constantly rotating to show different settings. An actor would run offstage, and literally seconds later they’d be back as a whole new character with a different costume and wig !!

5. ‎Zach Adkins is actually amazing. I loved picking him out of all the male ensemble members and he’s an incredible actor.

6. John is so funny. The jokes he makes as Vlad never failed to make the whole audience laugh. The comedic moments in the show add to the show in the best ways, without taking the raw emotion out of the show.

7. The part before Journey to the Past, Dmitry tells Vlad, “Look at her, rattling off in French with him. You’ve taught her well! Don’t be surprised if we get away with this!” And Vlad just looks at Dmitry sadly, “She’ll break your heart”. And Dmitry just scoff and tells him to be quiet. It’s so sad and cute that he’s in denial of his feelings for Anya, and all he can say is that Vlad doesn’t know what he’s talking about.