Ever since I watched Fox's "Anastasia" in high school, I have wanted for this to be a Broadway musical. It has everything: fantastic characters, a compelling story, and Disney-like songs. I would find myself singing "Journey to the Past" in the school hallways and would find myself daydreaming about me singing the Oscar-nominated tune on the big Broadway stage. However, this animated movie isn't Disney and isn't as well known as Dreamworks' "Shrek," so I thought my dream would never come true.
I was overjoyed and relieved when it was announced in 2015 that a musical version of Anastasia will finally debut in the summer of 2016 with a Broadway run afterwards. Originally, I was going to wait until the Broadway version to see my dream musical because it would be totally finished. However, I eventually realized that I waited long enough to see my little movie as a musical, so I grabbed my two best friends from Maryland to all the way to Connecticut to see the show on June 14th. This was everything I dreamt it to be and more.
The set is amazing. It is just a simple building, but they do so much with it: making it neighborhoods, interiors, maps during the train ride, nature etc. It does stick out like a sore thumb during some of the outdoor scenes, but they try so much to make the best out of it. The costumes are incredible and they all sparkle in unique ways. My favorite is the Romanov dresses in "Paris Holds the Key to Your Heart" costumes, and the ballet dresses.
The beautiful Christy Altomare as Anya/Anastasia in her sweeping rendition of "Journey to the Past"
The direction and the choreography are divine. The train scene was beautiful and it was so well done. The iconic "Once Upon a December" was absolutely legendary and it is easily comparable to the movie version, minus the dress change. "Paris Hold the Key to Your Heart" and "Learn to Do It", who nail the magic from the movie, and the finale are my favorite scenes and trust me, there is a list of favorite scenes. The new songs are gorgeous. Examples include "In My Dreams," Anya's new "I Want Song" about having little to no memories that has a stunning melody and really brings out Anya's tragedy, "My Petersburg," which is about Dmitri's backstory while maintaining a upbeat tempo and shows off Derek Klena's voice, "Stay, I Pray You," a haunting love song to Russia that is sung as Anya, Dmitri, and Vlad leave for Paris, "Land of Yesterday," a showstopping nightclub song sung by Sophie (who is now named Lily), and "In a Crowd of Thousands," a love song for Anya and Dmitri that reveals their connection from childhood.
Derek Klena as Dmitri, Christy Altomare as Anya, and John Bolton as Vlad
The acting was special and the actors were perfect. No stand outs because they were all equally phenomenal. Derek Klena showcases his singing voice while giving out a compassionate and passionate Dimitri. Without giving anything away, his scene with the Empress was so intense that he gave me goosebumps everywhere as I mumbled "Damn!" out loud in a theater. Mary Beth Peil is on her way for a Tony. The Empress is very different from the movie as the massacre changes her. And god, she is heartbreaking and brings out the agony and bitterness in the Empress in a powerful and sympathetic way. Her song was moving. John Bolton is on his way to a Tony as well. He is spot on as Vlad and he is simply fun and joyful to watch. He gives Vlad a extremely warm and kind touch that is stronger than the movie. His “I Shouldn’t Let Him Dance,” which is a powerful mix of warmth, love, wonder, and heartbreak, nearly moved me to tears. Caroline O'Connor was fiery as Lily/Sophie. She is loyal and obedient as the lady-in-waiting, but she shines in "Land of Yesterday" with her dance moves and energy. John and Caroline are excellent together and their song was hilarious and extremely show stopping. Lastly and most importantly, Christy Altomare as Anastasia/Anya. She is absolutely phenomenal and truly bringing out a special performance. She uses the new PTSD element of the story and the character to her full advantage and when she brings it out, she is heartbreaking and believable as Anastasia. She also connects it to a timid and shy attitude that truly makes Anastasia a victim. Her singing voice is incredible and soaring. Her "Journey to the Past", which nearly made me cry, is 100 percent perfect and there are no other words to describe it, but moving and incredible. She hits all of the notes and truly makes the song her own. A star has been born.
However, there are two problems with the show. The new villain Gleb, who replaces the movie's over-the-top and visually revolting Rasputin, needs serious fixing. He is a complex character with true potential, but he is hardly in the show at all. He needs a hell lot more stage time and development to make him work. Make him more like Frollo and Javier and he should be good.
However, I do have a big problem with the show: the character of Anastasia herself. I have gigantic conflicting feelings with her. Anastasia is no longer the spunky and sarcastic woman from the movie. Instead, she is an extremely shy and timid victim, who can be easily triggered. It does work extremely well because if Anastasia Romanov did survive the execution of her family (yes, this is a real story), she would no doubt be just like this. They did a wonderful job, recreating Anastasia and making her realistic. However, despite of this, she is nothing like the animated movie. There are times when there are glimpses of the movie Anastasia did show up, including "Learn to Do It" and a awkward encounter of a long-lost cousin. But, it doesn't show up enough. A professional review of the show said the show is missing out the snappiness, sarcasm, and the fun of the character and I 100 percent agree. If you are going to do a movie/musical adaption, you need to make the lead as like the movie as possible. In other words, this Anastasia is way too different from the movie. It was extremely distracting in Act One, but it worked in Act Two where the character needed to be weak and nervous. Is it horrible? Absolutely not. Like I said, I loved the new Anya and I love what they were attempting to do here. But, on the other hand, it is weird to change the character when her personality makes her what she is. The good news is that this is easily fixable if Christy gives out more spunk in her performance. Additionally, they took away the fun love and hate relationship with Anya and Dmitri from the musical. Even though this exclusion does work perfectly because the relationship with Anya and Dmitri here is very strong, understanding, and warm, it is a little bit missed because the budding relationship is what makes the movie so great and watching Anya and Dmitri snap sarcastic lines to each other was so endearing to watch.
However, for what I got for my movie, this is so excellent. In fact, in a way, this surpasses the movie. This gives both the Romanov legacy and the Anastasia mystery the respect that it deserves. It doesn't screw around with the Romanov's deaths as it's clearly explained and even seen in the musical, but also represents Anastasia Romanov in a respectful and merciful way. She isn't a Disney princess, where she sings a song and Prince Charming saves her with forest animals behind her. This whole musical comes to terms with the history and what really happened with the Romanovs while bringing out the magic and most of the fun of the movie. It is a perfect balance and a perfect beginning to a Broadway hit.
There is hope for a "Thumbelina" musical!
